Whether you’re auditing your own website, onboarding a client, or just analyzing a competitor’s setup, being able to check if Google Analytics is installed on a site is an essential skill. Google Analytics helps track user behavior, measure performance, and make informed decisions—so missing or broken tracking means lost data and missed opportunities.
This guide walks you through practical ways to verify Google Analytics installation, even if you’re not a developer. Whether you’re checking for Google Analytics 4 (GA4), here’s how to do it.
Why You Might Want to Check for Google Analytics
If you’re unsure whether a website has Google Analytics tracking set up properly, you’re not alone. Many site owners assume their analytics is working until they notice missing reports or inaccurate traffic data. Here are some common reasons to run a Google Analytics check:
- You just launched a new website or redesigned it.
- You’re troubleshooting low or missing analytics data.
- You’re auditing a client’s digital setup.
- You want to compare what tracking tools your competitors are using.
Regardless of your reason, the steps below will help you identify whether Google Analytics is present and working.
Method 1: Check the Website’s Source Code
One of the most direct ways to find out if a website has Google Analytics is by looking at its source code.
How to do it:
- Open the website in your browser.
- Right-click on the page and choose “View Page Source” (or press Ctrl + U).
- Use Ctrl + F to search for keywords like:
gtag('config'G-(for GA4 tracking IDs)gtag.jsanalytics.jsga('create'
If you find any of these, the site likely has Google Analytics installed. This method is fast and doesn’t require any tools, but it won’t tell you whether the tracking code is firing correctly.
Method 2: Use Google Tag Assistant Extension
Google provides a free browser extension called Tag Assistant, which checks for Google tags like Analytics, Tag Manager, and Ads scripts.
Steps to use:
- Install the Tag Assistant extension from the Chrome Web Store.
- Open the website you want to test.
- Click the Tag Assistant icon in your browser.
- Click “Enable” and reload the page.
The extension will list all detected Google tags and confirm whether Analytics is properly installed. It also shows errors or warnings, helping you troubleshoot setup issues.
This is especially useful if you’re not comfortable digging through code manually.
Method 3: Check Using Chrome Developer Tools
If you want to go deeper and confirm that data is being sent to Google Analytics servers, Chrome Developer Tools is the way to go.
Here’s how:
- Open the website in Chrome.
- Press F12 or right-click and choose “Inspect”.
- Go to the “Network” tab.
- Reload the page.
- Use the filter bar to search for
collect,analytics, orgtag.
If you see any activity going to www.google-analytics.com, it means the tracking script is firing and sending data. This method is especially useful when verifying whether analytics is working live—not just installed.
Method 4: Use Online Tools to Detect Analytics Code
There are several free tools that can help you check for Google Analytics and other tracking codes automatically:
- BuiltWith: Shows you a complete breakdown of the technologies used on a site, including analytics and advertising tools.
- Wappalyzer: Offers a similar tech stack audit and browser extension.
- GA Checker: Specifically checks for Google Analytics tracking codes across multiple pages of a site.
Just enter the website URL and the tool will tell you if any Google Analytics code is present, whether it’s GA4 or the older Universal Analytics.
GA4 vs Universal Analytics: What Should You Be Looking For?
Many websites are still running outdated Universal Analytics setups, even though Google officially ended data collection for UA on July 1, 2023. Here’s how to differentiate them:
| Feature | GA4 | Universal Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking ID Format | Starts with G- | Starts with UA- |
| Script Type | gtag.js | analytics.js |
| Still Collecting Data? | Yes | No (deprecated) |
If you still see a UA tracking ID (UA-XXXXXXXXX-X) in the source code, it’s time to upgrade the site to Google Analytics 4 for ongoing tracking.
What If Google Analytics Is Installed But Not Working?
Sometimes you might find that the code is present, but no data is showing in your Google Analytics dashboard. Here are a few things to check:
- Caching Issues: If you’re using a caching plugin or CDN, it might be serving outdated pages. Clear your cache and recheck.
- Tag Errors: The script might be loaded incorrectly or placed in the wrong part of the HTML.
- Cookie Consent Tools: If a user hasn’t accepted tracking cookies, analytics might not load.
- Misconfigured Google Tag Manager: If you’re using GTM, make sure your Analytics tag is correctly published.
Final Thoughts
Being able to check if Google Analytics is installed on a website is a key part of maintaining a healthy and trackable online presence. Whether you use manual methods like source code and developer tools, or prefer browser extensions and online checkers, the goal is the same: make sure your data tracking is reliable and up-to-date.
If you’re still running Universal Analytics or not seeing data flow into your GA4 property, it’s time for an update. And if you’re unsure, tools like Tag Assistant and GA Checker make the verification process simple.
Need help with Google Analytics setup or troubleshooting?
Whether it’s installing GA4, resolving tracking issues, or setting up reports, expert support is just a message away. Contact us today for professional assistance and ensure your data tracking is on point.