Publishing changes and managing version control in Google Tag Manager (GTM) are essential practices for ensuring a smooth tracking setup and maintaining data integrity. This guide will walk you through the process of publishing changes in GTM and how to effectively use version control to manage your tags, triggers, and variables.

Step-by-Step Guide to Publish Changes and Manage Version Control in Google Tag Manager

1. Access Google Tag Manager

• Log In to GTM: Visit the Google Tag Manager website and log in to your account.
• Select Your Container: Choose the container you want to work with.

2. Making Changes in GTM

Before publishing changes, you typically make edits to tags, triggers, or variables. Here’s a quick overview of the changes you might make:

• Add New Tags: You can create new tags to track different events or enhance existing ones.
• Edit Existing Tags: Modify settings, triggers, or variables in current tags to ensure accurate tracking.
• Set Up Triggers: Create new triggers or update existing ones to determine when tags should fire.
• Configure Variables: Add or modify variables that may be used in tags or triggers.

3. Preview Changes

Before publishing, always test your changes:

1. Enter Preview Mode:
   • Click on the “Preview” button in the top right corner of the GTM interface.
   • Enter your website’s URL to test the implementation in Preview Mode.
2. Test Tags and Triggers:
   • Navigate your website, triggering the changes you made.
   • Monitor the debug panel to ensure tags fire as expected and capture the correct data.
3. Make Adjustments: If you encounter issues during testing, return to GTM to adjust your tags, triggers, or variables.

4. Publishing Changes

Once you have thoroughly tested and confirmed that everything works as intended, you can publish your changes:

1. Click on the Submit Button:
   • In the GTM interface, click the “Submit” button in the top right corner.
2. Add a Version Name and Description:
   • In the dialog box that appears, you can add a version name and description. This information is useful for tracking changes and understanding what was modified in each version.
   • Version Name: Use a clear and concise name (e.g., “Event Tracking Update”).
   • Version Description: Provide details about the changes you made (e.g., “Added Google Analytics event tags for button clicks.”).
3. Click Publish:
   • After filling in the version details, click the “Publish” button to make your changes live.

5. Understanding Version Control in GTM

GTM automatically creates a new version every time you publish changes. Each version allows you to track the changes made over time, making it easier to revert if needed.

• Accessing Version History:
  • In the GTM interface, click on “Versions” in the left sidebar.
  • Here, you can see a list of all published versions along with the version names and descriptions.

6. Reviewing Version Details

1. View Details of a Version:
   • Click on a version to see the details of what changes were made in that version, including which tags, triggers, and variables were added, edited, or deleted.
2. Compare Versions:
   • You can compare different versions to see what changes were made. Select two versions to view a side-by-side comparison.

7. Reverting to a Previous Version

If you encounter issues after publishing, you can easily revert to a previous version:

1. Go to Versions:
   • Click on “Versions” in the left sidebar to view your version history.
2. Select a Version:
   • Choose the version you want to revert to.
3. Click on “Restore”:
   • Click the “Restore” button for that version. This will make the selected version active and revert any changes made in the subsequent versions.
4. Publish the Restored Version:
   • After restoring, remember to click “Submit” to publish the reverted changes.

8. Best Practices for Version Control in GTM

• Consistent Naming Conventions: Use consistent naming conventions for versions, making it easier to track and understand changes over time.
• Detailed Descriptions: Always include detailed descriptions when publishing versions. This information is invaluable for understanding the history of changes.
• Regular Reviews: Periodically review your versions to ensure that outdated tags or triggers are not affecting your tracking setup.
• Back-Up Your Configuration: Export your GTM container as a JSON file before making significant changes. This allows you to have a backup in case you need to restore the entire setup.

Conclusion

Publishing changes and managing version control in Google Tag Manager is crucial for maintaining a robust tracking implementation. By following the steps outlined above, you can confidently publish changes, track your version history, and easily revert to previous configurations if needed. Regularly reviewing and documenting your changes will enhance your overall GTM management, ensuring that your analytics setup remains accurate and effective.