One of Google Tag Manager's standout features is its Preview Mode. It allows users to test and debug tags before deploying changes to their website. If you're facing problems with GTM Preview Mode not functioning correctly, you're not alone!
In this article, we'll delve into common causes for GTM Preview Mode failures and offer practical solutions to get it working.
GTM’s Preview Mode offers several powerful features for testing and debugging tags before deploying them to a live environment. Here are some of the key things you can do with GTM Preview Mode:
All you have to do is to:
In some cases you are not able to view Preview mode in Google Tag manager. Let’s discuss the reasons and solutions together.
This issue often affects a small percentage of Chrome and Safari users, where strict privacy settings block third-party cookies. And this prevents GTM Preview Mode from working correctly.
Solution.
Adjust your browser settings to allow third-party cookies. Here’s how you can do it for Chrome and Safari:
For Chrome:
For Safari:
When you create or make changes to a container in GTM, those changes are not automatically applied to your live environment. Instead, they remain in a draft state until you explicitly publish them.
Solution.
Publish the container: click on the “Submit” button located in the upper-right corner of the GTM interface.
Check GTM snippet is added:
If is is not added:
Many modern browsers have built-in security features that block pop ups and redirects to protect users from unwanted content and potential security risks. When you click on the Preview button, a new tab should appear. GTM Preview Mode may not be able to load this essential interface.
Solution.
Adjust your browser settings to allow pop-ups and redirects for GTM. Usually, you just have to click Settings → Privacy and security → Pop-ups and redirects → Allow to send pop-ups and use redirects.
Adblockers and privacy-focused extensions aim to improve user experience by blocking advertisements, trackers, and other scripts that can slow down browsing or infringe on privacy. However, these extensions may also block GTM scripts and the necessary components for Preview Mode.
Solution.
You may need to adjust or disable your adblockers and other extensions. Here’s how to do it:
1. Whitelist GTM and Your Website or temporarily disable extensions:
2. Use an Incognito/Private Window:
3. Check Browser Developer Tools:
4. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies:
Google Tag Manager's Preview Mode is a great tool, and learning how to manage it can make your life much easier. Even if you run into problems, don't worry — most issues have straightforward solutions. By understanding the common causes and knowing how to fix them, you can confidently test and debug your tags. This way, you can be sure everything works perfectly before going live.
If you have other problems in Google Tag Manager, let us know in the comment section. We're here to help!
Stape has lots of tags for server GTM! Click on Try for free to register and check them all.