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How To Check If Tracking Code Is Active Using The Network Tab

This guide explains how to verify whether tracking code (such as Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Meta Pixel, or similar) is active.

Shawnette avatar
Written by Shawnette
Updated over 2 weeks ago

When to Use This Method

You don’t have access to the website’s source code

You want to confirm that tracking is actually firing, not just installed

You are troubleshooting missing analytics data

What You’ll Need

  • Google Chrome (recommended) or Microsoft Edge

  • Access to the website you want to test

Step-by-Step: Check Tracking via the Network Tab

1. Open the Website

  • Open Google Chrome

  • Navigate to the website you want to check

2. Open Developer Tools

  • Right-click anywhere on the page

  • Select Inspect

(Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + I on Windows / Cmd + Option + I on Mac)

3. Open the Network Tab

  • In Developer Tools, click the Network tab

  • Ensure the tab stays open

4. Reload the Page

  • Refresh the page while the Network tab is open

  • This is important, tracking requests load during page refresh

5. Filter Network Requests (Optional but Helpful)

Use the filter box in the Network tab and type one of the following, depending on what you’re checking:

  • Google Analytics (GA4): collect or google-analytics

  • Google Tag Manager: gtm

  • Meta / Facebook Pixel: facebook or tr

  • LinkedIn Insight Tag: linkedin

6. Confirm Tracking Is Firing

Tracking is working if you see:

  • Requests appearing after page load

  • Status codes such as 200, 204, or 302

  • Requests triggered again when you:

    • Click links

    • Submit a form

    • Navigate to another page

This confirms that the tracking code is active and sending data.

Common Tracking Platforms & What to Look For

Platform

Network Indicator

Google Analytics 4

collect?v=2

Google Tag Manager

gtm.js

Meta (Facebook) Pixel

tr?id=

LinkedIn Insight

insight.min.js

Important Notes

  • Seeing the request means the tracking code is installed and firing

  • It does not guarantee data is visible in reports yet (there may be delays)

  • Ad blockers can prevent requests from appearing — disable them while testing

Troubleshooting

No Tracking Requests Visible?

Check the following:

  • The page was refreshed with the Network tab open

  • Ad blockers or privacy extensions are disabled

  • You are on the correct domain (not a staging or preview site)

  • Tracking may only fire after user interaction

Summary

Using the Network tab is a reliable way to confirm that the tracking code is active without accessing the source code. If you see tracking requests firing during page load or interaction, the tracking setup is working.

Tip: This method is especially useful when validating analytics on third-party or client-managed websites.

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