Google Analytics Scroll Depth Tracking (Explained)

Have you ever wondered how far users scroll on your website before they lose interest? Google Analytics Scroll depth tracking helps answer this question by measuring how much of a page users view. 

In this guide, we’ll explain scroll depth in Google Analytics, and three different ways for GA4 scroll depth tracking: GA4’s built-in tracking, Google Tag Manager (GTM), and the easiest method—using Analytify. Each approach has advantages and limitations; we’ll also compare them to help you choose the best option.

Let’s get started!

What is Scroll Depth in Google Analytics?

Google Analytics 4 Scroll Depth refers to tracking how far users scroll down a webpage, helping site owners understand engagement beyond page views. GA4 Scroll depth tracking records when a user reaches specific scroll thresholds, such as 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%, providing details about content consumption and user interaction. 

In GA4 vs. Universal Analytics, GA4 tracks scroll depth automatically as an enhanced measurement event, while in Universal Analytics, it requires manual implementation via Google Tag Manager. Tracking different scroll thresholds is crucial because it helps identify where users lose interest, optimize content placement, and improve overall user experience by analyzing engagement at various depths.

How to Track Scroll Depth in Google Analytics 4

Scroll tracking with Google Analytics 4, can use three primary methods, each offering different levels of control and ease of implementation. GA4’s built-in scroll event automatically tracks when a user scrolls past the 90% mark of a page without requiring extra setup. For more advanced customization, Google Tag Manager (GTM) allows you to track specific scroll thresholds like 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, giving deeper into user engagement. 

However, the easiest and most recommended method is using Analytify, a WordPress plugin that simplifies GA4 tracking, including scroll depth, without requiring manual configurations in GA4 or GTM.

Method 1: GA4’s Built-in Scroll Event

GA4 scroll depth tracking done automatically as part of its enhanced measurement feature. By default, it fires a scroll event when a user scrolls to 90% of the page’s vertical height. This gives you a quick and easy way to see how many users reach your content’s bottom (or near the bottom). It’s a valuable baseline metric for understanding if users engage with most of your page.

However, you need to ensure that Enhanced Measurement is enabled in your GA4 property.

Steps to Enable Scroll Depth Tracking in GA4:

You have to follow the following steps to enable Google Analytics scroll depth tracking:

1. Sign in to Google Analytics 4 and go to the Admin section.

2. Under the Property column, click on Data Stream.

3. Select your website data stream.

4. In the Enhanced Measurement section, click on the settings icon.

5. Ensure the Scrolls toggle is turned on (it should be enabled by default).
6. Click Save to apply the changes.

Steps to Find Scroll Event Data in GA4:

1. Go to Google Analytics 4 and navigate to Reports.

2. Click on Engagement >> Events to see all tracked events.

3. Search for the event labeled Scroll to view data. 

You can often click on the scroll event to see more detailed information. You can also use explorations to create custom reports with scroll data.

Limitations of the Built-in method:

While convenient, this built-in method of Google Analytics 4 scroll depth tracking has limitations:

• Only tracks 90%: The default setting only tracks scrolls to 90% of the page. You don’t get data on other scroll depths (25%, 50%, 75%, etc.), which can be crucial for understanding user engagement with different content sections.
• No customization: You can’t change the default 90% threshold without using Google Tag Manager (GTM). You’ll need to implement a custom solution to track different scroll depths.

Method 2: Scroll Depth Tracking with Google Tag Manager (GTM)

Google Tag Manager (GTM) allows for custom scroll depth tracking by capturing multiple scroll thresholds (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). This provides deeper details compared to GA4’s built-in 90% scroll event. You have to follow the step-by-step guide for Google Analytics scroll depth tracking with Google Tag Manager:

Step 1: Creating a New Trigger

1. Log in to Google Tag Manager and select your container.
2. Navigate to Triggers and click New.

3. Choose Scroll Depth as the trigger type.
4. Under Vertical Scroll Depths, enter the percentages (e.g., 25, 50, 75, 100).
5. Select All Pages or specify pages where tracking should apply.
6. Click Save to create the trigger.

Step 2: Enable Scroll Variable(s)

1. Navigate to the Variables section in the left menu.
2. Click on Configure under the Built-in Variables section.

3. Scroll down to the Scroll Variables category.
4. Check the boxes for the following variables:
   • Scroll Depth Threshold
   • Scroll Depth Units
   • Scroll Direction

5. Close the configuration panel (changes are saved automatically).

Now, these variables will be available for use in your Scroll Depth Trigger and GA4 Event Tags, allowing for precise tracking of user interactions.

Step 3: Configuring GA4 Event Tags

Before setting up the GA4 scroll event, ensure you have installed the GA4 Configuration Tag in Google Tag Manager (GTM). If you haven’t created it yet, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Tags and click the New tab.

2. Select Google Analytics: Google Tag.
3. Enter your GA4 Measurement ID (found in GA4 under Admin >> Data Streams). (Optional) If you see curly braces {{ }}, that means the Measurement ID is stored in a GTM variable. This helps manage IDs dynamically.
4. Click Save to create the tag.

Once your GA4 tag is installed, you can proceed with configuring scroll tracking. GTM provides two approaches for sending scroll events to GA4:

Option 1: One Scroll Event with a Custom Parameter

In this method, a single event (“scroll”) fires, and a percent_scrolled parameter is included to capture how far users scroll.

1. In GTM, go to Tags >> New and select Google Analytics: GA4 Event.
2. Name the tag (e.g., GA4 – Scroll Depth Tracking).
3. Choose your GA4 Configuration Tag under the Configuration Tag dropdown.
4. Enter scroll in the Event Name field (following GA4’s Enhanced Measurement naming convention).
5. Under Event Parameters, add:
   • Parameter Name: percent_scrolled
   • Value: {{Scroll Depth Threshold}} (a built-in GTM variable).
6. Assign the previously created Scroll Depth Trigger to this tag.

Once scroll events are sent, GA4 will process them, and you can see data within 24-48 hours in Reports >> Engagement >> Events under the Percent Scrolled dimension.

Option 2:  Multiple Event Names for Each Scroll Threshold

In this method, each scroll threshold (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) fires a separate event name instead of using a custom parameter.

1. In GTM, go to Tags >> New and select Google Analytics: GA4 Event.
2. Name the tag (e.g., GA4 – Scroll Events per Threshold).
3. Choose your GA4 Configuration Tag under the Configuration Tag dropdown.
4. In the Event Name field, enter:
   • scroll_{{Scroll Depth Threshold}} (this dynamically names events as scroll_25, scroll_50, etc.).
5. Assign the previously created Scroll Depth Trigger to this tag.

If a visitor scrolls 25%, GA4 records an event as scroll_25; for 50%, it records scroll_50, and so on.

Step 4: Publishing and Verifying Setup

1. Click Preview in GTM to open Tag Assistant.

2. Add website URL and connect tag assistant to your site.

3. Visit your website and scroll down to trigger the event.
4. Check if the scroll event fires at the correct percentages in Tag Assistant.
5. If successful, go back to GTM and Publish the changes.
6. In GA4, navigate to Reports >> Engagement >> Events to verify scroll depth data. You can also check the Debug View in GA4 to see if the scroll event is being tracked in real-time.

Using Google Tag Manager (GTM) for scroll depth tracking allows for more detailed insights than GA4’s built-in 90% scroll event by capturing multiple thresholds (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). However, GTM-based scroll tracking has some limitations. It requires manual setup, increasing implementation complexity.

Additionally, excessive event tracking may impact GA4’s event limits, potentially affecting data accuracy. Lastly, GA4 processes event data with a delay, meaning scroll data may not be immediately visible in reports.

Method 3: The Easiest Way – Scroll Tracking with Analytify

Google Analytics scroll depth can be complex with Google Tag Manager (GTM) or GA4’s built-in method. Still, Analytify simplifies the process with an easy-to-use interface and detailed reports inside WordPress.

Analytify eliminates the need for manual setup or coding, offering real-time scroll tracking directly from your WordPress dashboard. Unlike GA4, which only tracks 90% scroll depth by default, Analytify provides granular insights on different scroll thresholds (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) without requiring Google Tag Manager.

Steps to Enable Scroll Tracking with Analytify

Getting started with scroll tracking in Analytify is quick and hassle-free. Follow these simple steps to activate scroll depth tracking and gain valuable insights into how users engage with your content:

Step 1: Log in to WordPress 

•  Access your WordPress dashboard.

Step 2: Navigate to Analytify Settings 

• In the left-hand menu, click on Analytify and then select Settings.

Step 3: Go to the Advanced Tab 

• Click on the Advanced tab to access additional tracking options.

Step 4: Enable Scroll Tracking 

• Find the option for Scroll Tracking and toggle it on.

• Click the Save Changes button to apply the settings.

Steps to View Scroll Depth Reports 

Follow the following steps to view scroll depth reports:

Step 1: Accessing Admin Settings

• In the left-hand menu, click on Analytify and select Settings. Click on the Admin tab to access the settings.

Step 2: Include Scroll Depth in Analytics Panels

• Ensure the Scroll Depth tracking feature is included in the analytics panels.

• If it’s not added, select it from the list and then Save Changes.

Step 3: Viewing Scroll Depth Stats

• Navigate to the relevant page or post where you want to track Scroll Depth Reach. Select that page/post to edit, or simply click on Stats.

• Scroll to the Analytify Stats section.
• Select a date range and click the View Stats button.

• Look for the Scroll Depth Reach table, which displays the scroll depth stats.

Use this data to improve content structure, optimize calls to action, and increase conversions.

Benefits of Using Analytify Over Other Methods

Analytify makes GA4 scroll depth tracking simple and efficient, offering several advantages over Google Tag Manager (GTM) and GA4’s built-in method. Here’s why it stands out:

• Effortless Setup – Unlike GTM, which requires manual tag creation, Analytify enables scroll tracking with just a few clicks.
• Detailed Scroll Depth Reports – Get insights on 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% scroll depths, whereas GA4 only tracks 90% by default.
• No Coding or Technical Expertise Needed – Perfect for non-technical users, eliminating the complexity of setting up custom events in GTM.
• Reports Directly in WordPress – Access scroll depth analytics right inside your WordPress dashboard without needing to log into Google Analytics separately.
• Seamless Google Analytics Integration – Works effortlessly with GA4, ensuring all data is tracked and reported accurately.
• Improved Content Optimization – Helps you identify drop-off points and adjust content structure, CTAs, and page design to keep users engaged.
• Real-Time Tracking – View real-time user engagement data without delays, helping you make quick decisions.

With Analytify, you get a user-friendly, powerful, and time-saving solution for tracking Google Analytics scroll depth without the hassle of manual configurations.

Comparison: Analytify vs. GTM vs. GA4 Built-in Method

Feature	Analytify	Google Tag Manager (GTM)	GA4 Built-in Method
Ease of Setup	One-click activation	Requires manual setup	Auto-tracks 90% depth
Detailed Scroll Tracking	Tracks 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%	Custom setup needed	Only tracks 90%
Reports in WordPress	Yes, inside the WordPress dashboard	No	No
No Coding Required	Yes	Requires tag creation	Yes

GA4 Scroll Depth Tracking FAQs

Final Thoughts: Google Analytics Scroll Depth

In conclusion, Google Analytics 4 scroll depth tracking is essential for understanding user engagement beyond page views. Whether you choose GA4’s built-in tracking, Google Tag Manager (GTM) for customized thresholds, or the simplest method with Analytify, each approach has its benefits.

GA4 provides automatic tracking but is limited to 90%, while GTM offers flexibility with custom thresholds but requires manual setup. Analytify simplifies the process, offering easy integration and detailed scroll reports directly within WordPress. By implementing GA4 scroll depth tracking, you can optimize content placement, improve user experience, and ensure visitors engage with key sections of your site.

To explore more about tracking conversions effectively, check out this detailed guide on Google Ads Conversion Tracking with GTM and enhance your campaign performance.

Let us know in the comments which method you prefer!