TagReveal Documentation
Learn how to discover and analyze tracking codes on any website in seconds
Overview
TagReveal is a free, instant web tool that detects and identifies tracking codes, analytics scripts, and marketing tags on any publicly accessible website. Get comprehensive insights into what analytics platforms and tracking technologies are running on any site—including yours or your competitors'.
🎯 Who is this for?
- Website Owners: Verify your analytics implementation
- Digital Marketers: Audit competitor tracking setups
- Web Developers: QA testing for analytics implementations
- SEO Professionals: Comprehensive site analytics audits
- Privacy Officers: Identify tracking for compliance reviews
Key Benefits
Instant Analysis
Results in under 3 seconds
No Login Required
Start analyzing immediately
Unlimited Scans
Check as many sites as you need
15+ Platforms
Comprehensive detection coverage
Quick Start Guide
Get started in 3 simple steps:
Enter Website URL
Type or paste the full website URL you want to analyze. Include the protocol (https://).
https://www.example.com
Click "Analyze Now"
Hit the analyze button and wait 2-3 seconds while we scan the website for tracking codes.
Review Results
See all detected tracking codes, their status (active/deprecated), and get actionable recommendations.
💡 Pro Tip
For best results, scan multiple pages of the same website (homepage, product pages, blog posts) as some tracking codes may only appear on specific page types.
How It Works
Understanding the technical process behind TagReveal:
URL Submission
You enter a URL and submit the form
Page Fetch
Server fetches the webpage HTML & scripts
Code Analysis
Pattern matching detects tracking codes
Results Display
Comprehensive report with insights
What We Analyze
- Inline Scripts: JavaScript code embedded directly in HTML
- External Scripts: Third-party analytics library references
- Meta Tags: Tracking pixels and conversion tags
- HTML Attributes: Data attributes with tracking IDs
- Async Scripts: Dynamically loaded tracking codes
⚠️ Limitations
- Cannot verify if tags are firing correctly (only if they're present)
- Cannot access pages behind authentication/login
- Cannot detect server-side tracking implementations
- Does not access your analytics dashboard
Core Features
Google Analytics Detection
Comprehensive detection of all Google Analytics implementations:
- Google Analytics 4 (GA4): Current standard (G-XXXXXXXXXX)
- Universal Analytics: Deprecated version (UA-XXXXXXXX-X)
- Classic Analytics: Legacy ga.js implementation
- Multiple Property Detection: Identifies when sites track to multiple GA properties
- Duplicate Code Warning: Alerts about potential tracking conflicts
Tag Manager Detection
Identifies Google Tag Manager containers and validates implementation:
- GTM container IDs (GTM-XXXXXXX)
- Multiple container detection
- Implementation placement verification
Marketing & Conversion Tracking
Detects major advertising and conversion pixels:
Analytics Platforms
Identifies popular analytics and product intelligence tools:
UX & Optimization Tools
Detects user experience and conversion optimization platforms:
Understanding Your Results
Result Status Badges
Active & Current
Meaning: The tracking code is current, properly formatted, and functioning.
Action: No action needed unless duplicates exist.
Deprecated Code
Meaning: The tracking code uses an outdated platform or method.
Examples: Universal Analytics (UA-XXXXXXXX-X), Classic ga.js
Action: Plan migration to current platform version immediately.
Potential Problems
Meaning: Problems detected that may affect tracking accuracy.
Examples: Multiple tracking codes, conflicting implementations, malformed IDs
Action: Immediate review and remediation recommended.
Information Only
Meaning: Tracking code detected but requires context to assess.
Action: Review in context of your analytics strategy.
Common Findings Explained
What it means: Your site is sending data to more than one Google Analytics property.
Is this bad? Not necessarily—could be intentional (e.g., company-wide + department-specific tracking).
Check: Verify this is intentional and not accidental duplication.
What it means: Your site still uses the old Google Analytics tracking code.
Is this bad? Yes—Google stopped processing Universal Analytics data in July 2023.
Action: Migrate to Google Analytics 4 (GA4) immediately to continue tracking data.
What it means: Site uses Google Tag Manager to manage tracking codes.
Is this bad? No—GTM is a best practice for tag management.
Note: Individual tags within GTM may not be detected by this tool, as they're loaded dynamically.
What it means: No recognized tracking codes found on the page.
Possible reasons:
- Analytics implemented server-side
- Using a platform not in our detection database
- Analytics blocked by ad blocker during scan
- Page uses delayed/conditional loading
- Site genuinely has no analytics
Supported Tracking Platforms
TagReveal can detect 15+ major tracking platforms and technologies:
Analytics Platforms
| Platform | ID Format | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics 4 | G-XXXXXXXXXX |
Current | Current GA standard |
| Universal Analytics | UA-XXXXXXXX-X |
Deprecated | Sunset July 2023 |
| Google Tag Manager | GTM-XXXXXXX |
Current | Container detection |
| Adobe Analytics | Various | Current | Enterprise analytics |
| Matomo | Custom URL | Current | Open-source alternative |
| Mixpanel | Token-based | Current | Product analytics |
| Heap Analytics | App ID | Current | Auto-capture analytics |
| Amplitude | API Key | Current | Product intelligence |
| Segment | Write Key | Current | Customer data platform |
Marketing & Conversion Tracking
| Platform | ID Format | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Pixel | Numeric ID | Meta advertising |
| LinkedIn Insight | Partner ID | B2B marketing |
| Twitter/X Pixel | Pixel ID | X platform ads |
| TikTok Pixel | Pixel Code | Short-form video ads |
| Pinterest Tag | Tag ID | Visual discovery ads |
| Snapchat Pixel | Pixel ID | Mobile-first ads |
User Experience & Optimization
| Platform | Purpose | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Hotjar | Behavior analytics | Heatmaps & recordings |
| Crazy Egg | UX optimization | Heatmaps & A/B testing |
| FullStory | Digital experience | Session replay |
| Lucky Orange | Conversion optimization | Real-time analytics |
| VWO | A/B testing | Experimentation platform |
| Optimizely | Experimentation | Enterprise optimization |
📢 Platform Not Listed?
This list is continuously updated. If you notice a platform we're not detecting, please contact us so we can add it to our detection database.
Common Use Cases
🏢 For Website Owners
Verify Your Implementation
- Confirm analytics codes are installed correctly
- Detect duplicate or conflicting tracking codes
- Identify deprecated codes that need updating
- Audit after website redesigns or platform migrations
Frequency: Monthly audits recommended
📊 For Digital Marketers
Competitive Intelligence
- Discover what tracking platforms competitors use
- Identify advertising channels competitors are testing
- Benchmark your analytics stack against industry standards
- Verify campaign pixel installation before ad spend
Frequency: Quarterly competitive analysis
💻 For Web Developers
QA Testing & Debugging
- Pre-deployment verification of tracking codes
- Post-deployment validation of changes
- Debug tracking issues without accessing analytics dashboards
- Verify test codes removed from production
Frequency: Before and after each deployment
🔒 For Privacy Officers
Compliance Auditing
- Identify all tracking technologies for privacy disclosures
- Ensure tracking aligns with consent management
- Document third-party data sharing for GDPR/CCPA compliance
- Verify tracking codes match privacy policy statements
Frequency: Annual compliance reviews
🎓 For Agencies & Consultants
Client Audits & Reporting
- Quick initial assessment during client onboarding
- Include in comprehensive website audits
- Document before/after states for migrations
- Identify issues to demonstrate value
Frequency: During client onboarding and quarterly reviews
Best Practices
✅ Do's
Scan Multiple Pages
Check homepage, product pages, blog posts, and checkout pages—tracking may vary by page type.
Regular Audits
Scan your site monthly to catch tracking drift and unauthorized code additions.
Document Findings
Take screenshots of results for reports and maintain a tracking code inventory.
Pre/Post Deployment Checks
Always scan before and after website updates to verify tracking changes.
Act on Deprecated Codes
Immediately plan migration when deprecated tracking codes are detected.
❌ Don'ts
Don't Assume One Scan Tells All
Tracking implementations can vary by page, user location, or A/B test variant.
Don't Rely Solely on Homepage
E-commerce sites often have different tracking on checkout pages; blogs may have unique tracking on posts.
Don't Ignore "No Results"
If no tracking is detected, manually verify by viewing page source—may indicate server-side tracking or detection limitations.
Don't Skip Verification
Always verify tracking is actually firing in your analytics dashboard, not just present in code.
Troubleshooting
🚫 "Unable to fetch website"
Possible causes:
- Website is down or unreachable
- Server blocks automated requests
- Invalid URL format
- Website requires authentication
Solutions:
- Verify URL is correct and publicly accessible
- Try accessing the URL in your browser first
- Check if website is online using a service like downforeveryoneorjustme.com
- Ensure you're using the full URL with protocol (https://)
- Try scanning a different page on the same domain
❓ "No tracking codes detected"
Possible causes:
- Site uses server-side tracking only
- Tracking loads conditionally
- Platform not yet in our detection database
- Ad blocker interfered with scan
- Tracking codes heavily obfuscated
Solutions:
- Try scanning a different page on the same site
- Disable browser ad blockers and try again
- Manually view page source to verify tracking presence
- Check if site uses consent management (may delay tracking)
- Contact site owner if checking your own site
📝 "Results seem incomplete"
Possible causes:
- Some tracking loads after initial page load
- Tracking injected by third-party tools (GTM, consent managers)
- Conditional tracking based on user behavior
- A/B testing with different tracking versions
Solutions:
- Scan multiple pages on the site
- Check for Google Tag Manager (tracking may be inside GTM)
- Wait and rescan after a few hours (A/B tests may show different results)
- Manually inspect page source for verification
⚠️ "Deprecated code shown but I've migrated"
Possible causes:
- Code removed from template but cached on CDN
- Code in multiple locations (theme + plugin)
- WordPress/CMS plugin still injecting old code
- Hard-coded in legacy templates
Solutions:
- Clear all site caches (CDN, server, WordPress)
- Check all potential injection points (theme files, plugins, GTM)
- View page source in incognito mode to bypass browser cache
- Search codebase for old tracking ID to find all instances
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TagReveal really free?
Yes! TagReveal is completely free with unlimited scans. No credit card, no registration required.
Do you store the URLs I check?
No. We don't store, log, or retain any information about the URLs you scan. Your privacy is our priority.
Can I check websites behind a login or paywall?
No, the tool can only analyze publicly accessible pages. Pages behind authentication or paywalls cannot be scanned.
Why don't you detect tags inside Google Tag Manager?
GTM loads tags dynamically after the page loads. We detect the GTM container itself, but individual tags within GTM may not appear in our scan. To see GTM tags, you'd need to access the GTM container directly.
Can this tool verify if my analytics is working correctly?
No. This tool only detects if tracking codes are present in the page source. It cannot verify if they're firing correctly or sending data. Always verify functionality in your analytics dashboard.
How accurate is the detection?
Very accurate for detecting codes present in the initial HTML/JavaScript. However, it may miss codes that load conditionally, are heavily obfuscated, or are implemented server-side.
What does "deprecated" mean?
"Deprecated" means the tracking code uses an outdated platform or method that's no longer supported or recommended. For example, Universal Analytics (UA-XXXXXXXX-X) stopped working in July 2023.
Can I scan my competitor's websites?
Yes! As long as the website is publicly accessible, you can scan it. Competitive intelligence is one of the most common use cases for TagReveal.
How often should I scan my website?
We recommend monthly scans as part of routine maintenance. Also scan immediately after major website updates, redesigns, or platform migrations.
Can I request detection for a new platform?
Yes! If there's a tracking platform you'd like us to detect, please contact us. We regularly update our detection database.
Is there an API available?
Currently, there's no public API. However, if you have a business use case requiring API access, please contact us to discuss options.
What browsers are supported?
TagReveal works in all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). For the best experience, use the latest version of your browser.
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