Data mapping for tags without data mapping option (eg Piwik)

[sebastian_koeni]

Hi, I am just wondering why are there some tags, that do not contain an option to edit the data mapping (eg Piwik), where it would be required or at least beneficial. And more importantly, how can I map values to parameters for these tags?

[fiann_ohagan]

Hi Sebastian, the mapping toolbox is not implemented for Piwik tags because sending custom data is not a matter of just adding query string parameters to a pixel url. Instead they have a similar format to Google Analytics, where you append data to a JavaScript array object and this is picked up by the analytics tool. You can do this in a JS Code extension. Here is an example from the documentation at http://developer.piwik.org/api-reference/tracking-javascript _paq.push([ 'setCustomVariable','1','VisitorType','Member' ]); If you have a data layer variable called visitor_type, you could put this code in a JS Code extension and you would send the variable to Custom Variable 1: _paq.push([ 'setCustomVariable','1','VisitorType', b.visitor_type ]); In a JS Code extension, "b" is a reference to the data object, so b.visitor_type is your visitor_type variable. Does that help solve your problem? If you have a lot of mappings to add, then we could put in a request for the mapping code to be implemented in the tag to support this.

[craig_rouse · Accepted solution]

Hi Sebastian, The Piwik tag in particular is quite old, and in the process of being updated. The update includes the addition of a mapping toolbox, which will remove the need to use JavaScript extensions to fire custom events to Piwik. It also includes automatic e-commerce tracking, which is not in the current version of the tag. I'll get in touch with you directly to discuss further. Thanks, Craig.

[dan_george]

To add to Fiann's excellent answer is regard to Piwik, I'd like to answer the question in a broader focus for other users. Not all tags are setup to accept additional data mappings. This is usually more a limitation of the tag than Tealium. Each tag we implement is hand built, and data mappings are always a key aspect to review when creating the template. If we are incorrect we can quickly apply the ability to add mappings to a tag, just let your Account Manager know.

[sebastian_koeni]

OK, thanks Dan, that helps for my understanding. I cannot add the mapping for tags myself I assume?

[sebastian_koeni]

I am quite new to Piwik, but this is more or less the same than for eg Adobe. There is some client code that is than replaced by the Tealium Tag. The Tealium builds the request URL based on the data mapping. This should be possible for Piwik as well (as Craig also wrote below). Just want to understand when and why this is the case.

[dan_george]

Correct, our solutions engineering team would have to add mapping functionality.