Sitecore JSS Tracking API for Analytics: The Complete Guide
With the rise of headless and JAMstack architectures, especially in Sitecore JSS applications, traditional analytics tracking methods often fall short. Enter Sitecore JSS Tracking API — a specialized solution enabling you to integrate Sitecore Experience Analytics even in headless or static-generated applications.
What Is the JSS Tracking API?
The JSS Tracking API is a client-facing RESTful API provided by Sitecore that allows developers to submit user interactions, goals, page views, and custom events to the Sitecore xDB (Experience Database), even when running a headless or decoupled frontend like a Next.js app.
Why Use the JSS Tracking API?
In traditional Sitecore setups, tracking is embedded in the server-side rendering pipeline. But in JSS apps — especially those built with SSG or SPA frameworks — tracking must be handled client-side.
Key Benefits:
- Enables analytics in headless apps
- Preserves xDB capabilities (engagement value, goals, personalization)
- Works without full page reloads
- Supports custom events and funnel tracking
How to Use the JSS Tracking API?
Make a POST request to:
/sitecore/api/interaction/register
Sample Payload:
{
"contact": {
"identifier": {
"source": "email",
"identifier": "[email protected]"
}
},
"events": [
{
"definitionId": "goal-guid",
"timestamp": "2025-05-14T10:00:00Z"
}
],
"pageVisit": {
"itemId": "{page-item-id}",
"duration": 5
}
}
Basic Steps:
- Identify the contact
- Send page visit or goal data using fetch or axios
- Optionally include campaign or outcome
- Ensure
@sitecore-jss/tracking
is installed - Use session or visitor cookies to correlate events
What Sitecore Marketing Features Are Covered?
Feature | Supported via Tracking API |
---|---|
Page Visit Tracking | Yes |
Goal Triggering | Yes |
Campaign Attribution | Yes |
Engagement Value Scoring | Yes |
Sitecore Experience Analytics Features
Once integrated, these metrics show up in Sitecore's Experience Analytics:
- Page Views per Visit
- Engagement Value per Visit
- Top Goals Triggered
- Traffic by Campaign or Referrer
- Device and Geo reports (if GeoIP enabled)
- Funnel analysis across tracked events
Sitecore xDB Features Enabled
- Contact creation and merging
- Session and interaction tracking
- Historical interaction data storage
- Personalization and segmentation eligibility
- Experience Profile reports and dashboards
Note: Ensure xConnect, xDB, and consent management (e.g., Cookie Banner) are properly set up.
Limitations and Challenges
Challenge | Notes |
---|---|
Manual tracking | Developers must implement tracking explicitly |
Cookie Consent Compliance | Tracking should only occur after user consent |
Event GUIDs Required | You must fetch goal/event definition IDs from Sitecore |
No batching | Each event is sent as an individual request |
CORS and Auth | Requires CORS setup and appropriate access rights |
No default page visit logging | Must implement custom logic for tracking |
Rendering personalization not supported | Does not handle dynamic component variants |
SSG tracking delay | Data is sent only after hydration |
Fit for SSG vs SSR
Mode | Fit? | Details |
---|---|---|
SSG (Static Site Generation) | Yes (with care) | Client-side tracking after hydration |
SSR (Server Side Rendering) | Yes | Tracking can be enriched server-side |
SPA (Single Page Application) | Yes (best fit) | Track on route change using hooks |
Recommended Implementation Approach
- Setup Sitecore JSS App with xDB Enabled
- Configure CORS for your frontend domain
- Use
@sitecore-jss/tracking
or custom HTTP calls - Track page views via router events or useEffect
- Trigger goals and events via click handlers
- Ensure GDPR/consent requirements are met
- Verify events in Experience Analytics and Profile
Final Thoughts
The JSS Tracking API is essential for enabling Sitecore’s powerful marketing analytics in headless setups. Whether you're using SSG, SSR, or SPA, this API ensures you're not missing out on engagement insights, personalization triggers, and funnel data.
When properly implemented, it brings the full power of xDB and Experience Analytics to your modern frontend stack.
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