In this article, we’ll show you how to track scrolling in WordPress using Google Analytics
Why track user scrolling in WordPress?
Scrolling means scrolling down a web page. Tracking scrolling depth is an important indicator of user engagement. It will provide information on how users interact with site elements to view content.
For example, using tracking scrolling, you can find out the depth of viewing content, what kind of long materials users like, etc.
1. Tracking scrolling depth using Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a free web analytics service from Google that allows you to better understand site visitors. By default, Google Analytics monitors the total number of page views, the number of visitors, top pages, and others.
For advanced metrics such as scrolling depth, contact forms, file downloads, event tracking, Google Analytics requires user tracking settings.
But this is a rather complicated process. Fortunately, there are WordPress plugins that let you track advanced Google Analytics metrics like scrolling depth.
Track WordPress Scrolling Depths with MonsterInsights
MonsterInsights makes it easy to install and use Google Analytics on a WordPress site without the need for source code.
The MonsterInsights plugin launches the following Google Analytics metrics in one click: e-commerce tracking, file downloads, affiliate links, contact forms, scrolling depth and many others. Scrolling depth tracking is activated by default in the plugin.
Activate and install the plugin. After that, go to the Insights »Preferences page and select the Engagement tab. Scrolling tracking is enabled by default.
The MonsterInsights plugin fires events in Google Analytics when site visitors scroll down the page. Then Google Analytics tracks 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% scroll.
In the WordPress admin dashboard, you can view scrolling statistics ( Insights »Reports» Publishers). View depth information is displayed next to the Interests section.
Average Scrolling Depth
Scrolling depth information can be used to optimize pages for maximum conversion.
View scrolling data in Google Analytics
Once the tracking has been configured in the MonsterInsights plugin, scrolling reports will start showing up in Google Analytics.
In Google Analytics, go to the ” Real-time Report” – “Events” section to view scrolling information for the last 30 minutes.
For complete information, go to the tab “ Behavior” – “Events” – “Overview”.
To view detailed information, click on the “Scrolling Depth” link.
For more detailed information, use the Google Analytics “Advanced Options” function, a link to which is located next to the “Scrolling Depth” event. Here you can see the scrolling data for each individual page.
2. Tracking scrolling using the WP Scroll Depth plugin
If you do not need a comprehensive solution for Google Analytics, you can use the WP Scroll Depth plugin.
After activating the plugin, go to the ” Settings” – “Scrolling Depth” section to configure tracking parameters.
By default, the depth of scrolling will be tracked on all pages of the site. For this, WP Scroll Depth uses jQuery.
This plugin controls four scrolling points: 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the page height. When the user reaches the scrolling point, the plugin sends the event to Google Analytics using jQuery.
After that, you can view data about the “Scrolling Depth” event on the “ Real-time Report” – “Event” tab in the Google Analytics toolbar.
This is the most popular Google Analytics plugin for WordPress. It has been installed by more than 2 million users.
The plugin allows you to quickly configure even the most advanced features of Google Analytics. Just open the MonsterInsights dashboard in WordPress to get access to all the analytics you need.
The plug-in extension for WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads and MemberPress allows you to monitor indicators such as conversion rate, transactions and average order value with one click.
EU Compliance allows you to:
Anonymize IP data sent to Google Analytics;
Disable demographic and affinity reports for remarketing and advertising.
Disable UserID and author name tracking.
Use Cookie Notice and CookieBot to obtain user consent before tracking.
Use the Google AMP Consent Box before enabling tracking.
Offer an Easy Opt-Out link to track Google Analytics.
MonsterInsights also comes with an add-on that makes it easy to track form views, submissions and their custom reports.
Other plugin features:
The ability to track users across devices and platforms.
Integration of Google Analytics with instant Facebook articles.
Track ads performance on Google AdSense.
Track affiliate links.
Tracking user actions on the site – placing outgoing links, downloading files, clicking CTA elements, etc.
Manage multi-user access to the Google Analytics dashboard.
ExactMetrics is one of the best free Google Analytics plugins for WordPress. It has been installed more than 1 million times.
The plugin displays the following analytic metrics in WordPress:
Sessions and pageviews.
Positions in search results.
Bounce rates.
Errors 404.
Channels of receipt of traffic.
And also to carry out advanced data collection, such as events (downloads, page scrolling duration, etc.) and custom parameters (author, publication year, etc.).
The ExactMetrics plugin is completely free and well supported.
The Google Analytics Enhanced Ecommerce plugin uses the Google Analytics Ecommerce Tracking feature. It supports all the detailed reports offered by the service.
As well as four new reports included in Enhanced eCommerce:
Behaviour upon purchase.
Behaviour when paying.
Product marketing.
Sales performance.
Enhanced Ecommerce Google Analytics is a reliable and free Google Analytics plugin that provides the statistical information needed to promote an online store based on WooCommerce.
The plugin allows you to use the Google Analytics tracking code on all pages of a WordPress site. And also turn off tracking of admin users to get more accurate statistics.
But as for the functionality, there is nothing more special in this plugin. More features are provided by the paid version of the extension.
The plugin allows you to track events in Google Analytics that occur when a visitor goes to a specific page of a site or clicks on a specific element.
Here are just a few examples of what you can do with the WP Google Analytics Events plugin:
Track page navigation.
Compare the performance of CTA buttons.
Find out what percentage of visitors read the post to the end.
Track the conversion of contact forms.
It is important to remember that this plugin is intended only for tracking events. Therefore, to collect statistics on the site will require another extension.
Our Recommendation: which is the best Google Analytics plugin for WordPress?
MonsterInsights is the best Google Analytics plugin for WordPress. It offers a wide range of features, professional support and allows you to access all statistics without leaving the WordPress admin panel.
If you’re looking for the best free Google Analytics plugin for WordPress, we highly recommend ExactMetrics.
