Directly Calling the Google Analytics Script

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 1 views

Introduction

In the pursuit of providing a seamless user experience, it's essential to strike a balance between functionality and user consent. The University of Michigan (U-M) privacy team has been working diligently to ensure that all applications and websites adhere to the latest cookie consent regulations. However, the current implementation of the OneTrust library has raised concerns, prompting the team to explore alternative solutions. In this article, we'll delve into a hotfix that directly calls the Google Analytics script in JavaScript, leveraging React Helmet Async to plug in the necessary code.

The Problem with React-GA4

The react-ga4 library, used to integrate Google Analytics with React applications, has been a reliable solution for tracking user behavior. However, its reliance on the OneTrust library for cookie consent has created a bottleneck. The #505 issue, which affects the banner's ability to respect user decisions, has highlighted the need for a more direct approach. By bypassing the react-ga4 library and directly calling the Google Analytics script, we can ensure that the cookie consent banner functions as intended.

Directly Calling the Google Analytics Script

To implement this hotfix, we'll need to make a few adjustments to our JavaScript code. Instead of relying on the react-ga4 library, we'll directly call the Google Analytics script with the correct parameters. This approach allows us to bypass the OneTrust library and its associated issues.

import { Helmet } from 'react-helmet-async';

const script = document.createElement('script');
script.src = 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-<YOUR_TRACKING_ID>';
script.async = true;
document.head.appendChild(script);

const gtag = window.gtag;

gtag('js', new Date());

gtag('config', 'G-<YOUR_TRACKING_ID>');

In this code snippet, we create a new script element and set its source to the Google Analytics script URL. We then append the script to the document head, ensuring that it loads asynchronously. Finally, we define the gtag function and configure it with our tracking ID.

Leveraging React Helmet Async

React Helmet Async is a powerful library that allows us to manage the document head and append custom scripts. By using this library, we can plug in the Google Analytics script and ensure that it loads correctly. Here's an example of how to use React Helmet Async to append the script:

import { Helmet } from 'react-helmet-async';

const App = () => {
  return (
    <div>
      <Helmet>
        <script
          src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-<YOUR_TRACKING_ID>"
          async
        />
        <script>
          {`
            window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
            function gtag() {
              dataLayer.push(arguments);
            }
            gtag('js', new Date());
            gtag('config', 'G-<YOUR_TRACKING_ID>');
          `}
        </script>
      </Helmet>
      {/* Rest of the application code */}
    </div>
  );
};

In this example, we use the Helmet component to append the Google Analytics script to the document head. We also define the gtag function and configure it with our tracking ID.

Conclusion

The CCM cookie consent banner hotfix provides a quick solution to ensure user privacy and respect user decisions. By directly calling the Google Analytics script in JavaScript and leveraging React Helmet Async, we can bypass the react-ga4 library and its associated issues. This approach not only ensures compliance with cookie consent regulations but also provides a seamless user experience. As the U-M privacy team continues to work on a permanent fix, this hotfix serves as a temporary solution to address the #505 issue and ensure that the cookie consent banner functions as intended.

Future Development

While this hotfix provides a temporary solution, the U-M privacy team will continue to work on a permanent fix to address the #505 issue. In the future, we can expect to see a more robust solution that integrates the Google Analytics script with the react-ga4 library. This will ensure that the cookie consent banner functions correctly and provides a seamless user experience.

FAQs

Q: What is the CCM cookie consent banner hotfix? A: The CCM cookie consent banner hotfix is a temporary solution that directly calls the Google Analytics script in JavaScript, leveraging React Helmet Async to plug in the necessary code.

Q: Why is the react-ga4 library not working as intended? A: The react-ga4 library relies on the OneTrust library for cookie consent, which has created a bottleneck. The #505 issue has highlighted the need for a more direct approach.

Q: How do I implement the hotfix? A: To implement the hotfix, you'll need to make a few adjustments to your JavaScript code. You can use the code snippets provided in this article as a starting point.

Introduction

The CCM cookie consent banner hotfix has been implemented to address the #505 issue and ensure that the cookie consent banner functions as intended. However, we understand that some users may have questions about the hotfix and its implementation. In this article, we'll address some of the most frequently asked questions about the CCM cookie consent banner hotfix.

Q&A

Q: What are the benefits of the hotfix? A: The hotfix provides a quick solution to ensure user privacy and respect user decisions. It also ensures compliance with cookie consent regulations and provides a seamless user experience.

Q: Will the hotfix affect my website's performance? A: The hotfix should not affect your website's performance. However, it's essential to test your website thoroughly after implementing the hotfix to ensure that it's working as intended.

Q: Can I use the hotfix with other analytics tools? A: Yes, you can use the hotfix with other analytics tools. However, you'll need to modify the code to accommodate the specific requirements of the other analytics tool.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the hotfix? A: If you encounter issues with the hotfix, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

Check the console logs for any errors or warnings.
Verify that the Google Analytics script is loading correctly.
Ensure that the React Helmet Async library is installed and configured correctly.

Q: Will the hotfix be updated to address future issues? A: Yes, the hotfix will be updated to address future issues. However, it's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and updates to ensure that your website remains compliant with cookie consent regulations.

Q: Can I use the hotfix with other frameworks or libraries? A: Yes, you can use the hotfix with other frameworks or libraries. However, you'll need to modify the code to accommodate the specific requirements of the other framework or library.

Q: How do I report issues with the hotfix? A: If you encounter issues with the hotfix, you can report them to the U-M privacy team. We'll work with you to resolve the issue and ensure that your website remains compliant with cookie consent regulations.

Conclusion

The CCM cookie consent banner hotfix provides a quick solution to ensure user privacy and respect user decisions. By addressing the #505 issue and ensuring that the cookie consent banner functions as intended, the hotfix provides a seamless user experience. If you have any questions or concerns about the hotfix, please don't hesitate to reach out to the U-M privacy team.

Additional Resources

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about the CCM cookie consent banner hotfix, please don't hesitate to reach out to the U-M privacy team. We're here to help and ensure that your website remains compliant with cookie consent regulations.

Email: privacy@umich.edu
Phone: 734-764-HELP (4357)
Website: www.umich.edu