Resolving Duplicate Google Tag Manager Events with Google Listings & Ads

If you're using both the Google Listings & Ads extension and another plugin like GT4WP for Google Tag Manager (GTM) tracking, you might encounter a frustrating issue: duplicate events firing in your data layer. This commonly affects events like view_item, leading to inaccurate data in your analytics. This article explains why this happens and outlines the most effective solutions.

Why Duplicate Events Occur

The duplication happens because both plugins are designed to enhance tracking by pushing events to the data layer. For example, when a product page is viewed, Google Listings & Ads might push a view_item event to support its dynamic remarketing features. If GT4WP (or a similar plugin) is also configured to push the same event, GTM will see two identical events and fire tags for both, resulting in double counts.

Common Solutions

1. Configure Trigger Conditions in Google Tag Manager

The most common and effective solution is to modify the triggers in your Google Tag Manager container. You can add a condition to your tag's trigger to check if an event has already been recorded, preventing the tag from firing a second time for the same event.

2. Separate Advertising from the Product Feed

As indicated in the support threads, it is possible to manage your product feed separately from your ads within the Google Listings & Ads setup. You can disable the ads component while maintaining the product feed. This may stop the extension from injecting its own tracking events, potentially resolving the conflict.

• Product Feed: This component syncs your product data to Google Merchant Center and can continue to operate independently.
• Ads Component: This manages your Google Ads campaigns. Disabling this may prevent the extension from adding its event tracking code.

This separation allows your products to continue appearing on Google surfaces like the Shopping tab without the conflicting tracking code.

3. Check for Configuration Options in Complementary Plugins

If you are using a plugin like GT4WP, it may have settings that allow you to disable specific events. You could configure it not to fire events that Google Listings & Ads is already handling, or vice-versa. Consult the documentation for your specific tracking plugin to see if such options are available.

Important Note on Feed Management

When adjusting your setup, remember that the Google Listings & Ads extension does not support multiple feeds for the same Merchant Center account. It will create a new feed that overwrites any existing one. Ensure you have backed up any important feed data before making changes.

By implementing one of these solutions, you should be able to eliminate duplicate events and ensure your Google Tag Manager data is accurate.