The data layer is the central unit to define basic data of a website and make it available for tracking. Whoever for the first time uses the Data Layer of the Matomo Tag Manager via the console, but otherwise only with the Google Tag Manager is familiar, the desired result will most likely not be displayed. Unlike the Google Tag Manager, the Matomo Tag Manager cannot be accessed by typing the assigned variable name in the developer console.

The data layer is always under discussion in connection with web tracking, Google Analytics or Matomo. How the data layer is used or can be used I already have, in the following article on the basis of Matomo, explained. In this post, I want to briefly go over its pros and cons again. The question arises: Does my website need a data layer?

The data layer is the solution to enrich the Matomo Tag Manager with data, to provide information to the existing tags and triggers and to use this data for the control of the Tag Manager. Without the data layer, Matomo’s Tag Manager would have no variables or triggers and that is what the tag firing is based on. So the data layer is the linchpin to unfold the full potential of the Matomo Tag Manager. In this article I will go into all important points concerning Matomo and Data Layer, which you should know.