Ensuring that your purchase event is tracking correctly is crucial for monitoring conversions and optimizing ad performance. Whether you're using Facebook, TikTok, or Google, you need to verify that the tracking setup is functioning as expected. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process to check if your purchase event is being tracked properly.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding Purchase Event Tracking
2. Tools Required for Testing
3. Step-by-Step Guide to Verify Tracking
4. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Understanding Purchase Event Tracking

Purchase event tracking is used by advertising platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Google to measure conversions. When a customer completes a transaction, a purchase event should be sent to the respective platform to log the conversion. If the event is not firing correctly, your campaign optimizations may be affected.

Tools Required for Testing

Before testing, ensure you have the following tools ready:

• A web browser (Chrome is recommended)
• Developer Tools (built-in DevTools in Chrome)
• An active ad pixel installed on your website
• A test order to complete the purchase process

Step-by-Step Guide to Verify Tracking

Please follow these steps to check if the purchase event is being tracked:

Step 1: Open Developer Tools

• BEFORE placing your order, on your checkout page, press F12 (or Cmd + Option + I on Mac) to open Developer Tools.

Step 2: Navigate to the Network Tab

• Click on the Network tab in DevTools.
• This tab allows you to monitor all network requests made by the website.

Step 3: Complete a Test Purchase

• Proceed with placing a test order.
• After submitting the order, wait until you land on the Thank You page.

Step 4: Search for Tracking Requests

• In the Network tab, look for requests related to tracking.
• Use the search bar and type:
  
  ** facebook for Facebook Pixel events
  
  ** tiktok for TikTok tracking
  
  ** google for Google Analytics or Ads conversion tracking

Step 5: Check If the Purchase Event Appears

• If a request is found related to the selected platform, it means the purchase event is being tracked successfully.
• If there is no request, tracking may not be set up correctly, and troubleshooting is needed.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you do not see the purchase event being tracked, consider these common fixes:

• Check Pixel Installation: Ensure that the pixel or tracking script is correctly installed on your website.

• Verify Thank You Page Configuration: Some platforms require the purchase event to fire only on a specific confirmation page.

• Clear Cache and Retest: Sometimes, cache issues may prevent scripts from loading properly. Clear your browser cache and test again.

• Use Platform Debugging Tools:
• Facebook Pixel Helper (Chrome extension)
• TikTok Pixel Helper
• Google Tag Assistant

Verifying your purchase event tracking ensures that your ad platforms correctly measure conversions. By following these steps, you can confirm if your tracking is working and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Regularly testing and maintaining tracking accuracy is essential for optimizing your marketing campaigns effectively.

If you have any further assistance, don't hesitate to contact us via in-app live chat or email at support@socialhead.io

Updated on: 21/03/2025