Google Analytics has always provided a variety of tools to help you better understand your website visitors and improve their experience. Perhaps one of the most popular features they have to offer is remarketing.
Remarketing is a powerful tool that can be used to expand your reach and influence users to return to your website. Up until recently, two separate tags were required to opt into this feature: one for remarketing & one for Analytics. This can be difficult, especially in agency settings, since we aren’t able to simply place the codes ourselves. Fortunately, this is no longer the case as Google recently announced that the Analytics tracking code will now come equipped with built-in compatibility for remarketing. In other words, this means that websites using Google Analytics will now only require one tracking code, rather than two. How convenient!
How do I find, create and manage my lists?
Analytics remarketing can be found in the Admin section under Remarketing Lists as indicated in red below:
After selecting the sub-tab, you will now be able to specify the parameters of your new remarketing list:
These include naming your list, choosing an Analytics profile and AdWords account to use with your list, specifying the type of remarketing you want to opt into (all visitors or those that visit certain pages), and the ability to modify the membership duration.
Code Modifications
In order to start collecting the appropriate data, you will need to make a minor adjustment to your current Analytics code:
| Look for this… | ga.src = (‘https:’ == document.location.protocol ? ‘https://ssl’ : ‘https://www’) + ‘google-analytics.com/ga.js’; |
| Replace with this… | ga.src = (‘https:’ == document.location.protocol ? ‘https://’ : ‘https://’) + ‘stats.g.doubleclick.net/dc.js’; |
This modification is compatible with both the synchronous and asynchronous versions and won’t affect any prior changes you’ve made to your code.
Keep In Mind…
After you’ve made the changes to your Analytics code, you will also need to take care of a few additional items, as stated by the Google team:
- Have at least one active Google AdWords account that is linked to your Analytics account (admin req’d).
- Agree to the Google Analytics Terms of Service.
- Agree to the Google Analytics for Display Advertisers Policy.
- Update your privacy policy and include an appropriate description of your use of remarketing in online advertising.
It’s never been easier to take advantage of all the rich data you have in Google Analytics and use it to improve your remarketing campaign performance. Now that this is compatible with a single code, it becomes even more accessible. This method has proven successful for many online advertisers and allows them to improve their ROAS substantially. If you’re ready to get started, check out Analytics Help for more information and start capturing more customers today.
What are your thoughts on Analytics Remarketing? Feel free to leave any commentary below. Thanks for reading.
