How to switch off the consent mode set up in Shopify

[Yikai_Wang]

We want to use GTM to implement consent mode v2 and the rest of the GA implementation. We have disconnected GA, but can still see Shopify is setting consent default and updates from Shopify. This messed up our GTM side of consent mode settings so we need to remove it. But I can't find anywhere within Shopify I can do it. 

It's this  file that is causing the headache. Where can I deactivate this? 

[analytic_wlfdn]

I am also seeing these issues across all accounts, I think there was a very recent update that automatically enforces this. It is a notable concern as if you are using a custom consent system Trekkie can override you Consent Mode defaults by setting the flags to "granted" even if you've already set them to "denied" - not respective user privacy and putting company's at risk of not being compliant.

I have reached out to support but not heard anything back as of yet.

[MaximeBel]

Same here..we are stuck

[analytic_wlfdn]

Support hasn't been able to assist so far, which is not great for a feature that is clearly breaking compliance.

"We are not a development team, and this request would also fall outside the realm of our technical teams as well."

[analytic_wlfdn]

Depending on your set up you might get somewhere with the Customer Privacy JS API 

For a few sites I found setting the following command immediately in the header stopped any Consent Mode defaults being defined by Shopify's Trekkie system, and then allowed me to set my own values as required. However, on one site it stopped any GA4 hits being sent and I'm just trying to debug that one, strangely as it is all controlled via hard coded GTM so I'm not sure what's blocking it.

window.Shopify.customerPrivacy.setTrackingConsent(false, function(){});

[Yikai_Wang]

Thanks so much, we'll give it a go. We see this in several accounts now, which is super annoying! I thought this could at least be configured rather than with no option to turn it off! That's mad..

[thahn]

I think this stops all tracking for Shopify Apps that integrate with the Shopify Consent API. Probably not a good idea

[analytic_wlfdn]

Good point, it will stop the apps / pixels from operating!

[thahn]

I hope Shopify sees this thread. This is a big issue at the moment

[Yikai_Wang]

Is there any way to flag this with their tech team? The past few weeks have been all about consent mode, this is a very damaging issue as Google detects consent mode being implemented 'incorrectly' and will start switching some of the google ads features off. If it is a issue affects everyone, they really need to act as soon as possible!

[cbgrafikr]

If you have previously set up Google Analytics UA through Online Store > Preferences and not removed the UA id as well as the checkmark in Enhanced Ecommerce, it will trigger a default consent event.
Removing the UA ID and the Enhanced Ecommerce checkmark will fix that.

[Mitrodol]

The solution would be to turn off this option below inside Shopify's "Google & Youtube" app.

Basically, you even can leave the Merchant Center connected inside this app.

If you need you can switch conversion tracking manually to GTM.

Also, for sanity inside the MC account removed the conversion source created by the Shopify app and just linked the GA4 property instead.

Previously, encountered the same issue, installing on a couple of Shopify stores GCM with CookieBot and these unwanted gtag consent signals.
GA4 tracking itself had been moved to GTM and turned off in the "Google & Youtube" app. 

The Merchant Center when connected also had its own Google Tag installed.

[leejhoward]

We are using the native GA4 integration so can't disable this setting without removing the connection first. I guess that rules out this as a solution?

[Mitrodol]

yes, this solution is for manual GTM implementation. 

Until Shopify removes these unnecessary consent signals from their GA4 integration if it's ever possible 😀

[leejhoward]

Annoying... Out of interest are you building the data layer for the manual GTM implementation or using a paid service. I'd be open to migrating at least 2 of my clients to a manual config but the cost of an app embed (Elevar or Analyzify) dont work for the client. 

[cbgrafikr]

For our clients we usually build a custom dataLayer through Custom Pixels, to use with GTM. We do however have a few clients who use Elevar and Analyzify.

You can build a quite nice direct integration via a Custom Pixel or you can go the GTM route.

Building the integration manually / custom will however not be cheaper than Analyzify's one-time fee.

If you decide to set it up server side, we'd be able to do it cheaper than Analyzify.

[leejhoward]

I did trial a custom pixel build of my own but encountered issues with item names and ID consistency between the shop pages and  add_to_cart. There didnt apear to be a way to use a parent name for add_to_cart. The result was a deisconnect in the ecommerce reporting.  Also a real pain to debug pixels.

[Mitrodol]

we are using own custom build dataLayer solution for all events, and custom pixel script for begin_checkout 

[leejhoward]

is this something you would white label?

[Mitrodol]

it's built from a mix of all solutions from talented and proficient Shopify - GA4 folks into one approach for all e-commerce events and with a separate TY script for purchase. Also, proven in more than 50 Shopify stores located in North America, Europe, and Australia. Usually, a discrepancy of 5-15 % is observed between GA4 and Shopify after implementation.

Now because of the strict Google Consent adoption in March for EU-located stores, it has increased and we can't measure discrep to have some benchmark.

Surprisingly, for our Norway stores even after the GCM discrep is observed about 20 %, so it means users from there mostly grant consent.  

[Mitrodol]

UPDATE

Even if you have turned off this Conversion tracking option, there are still unwanted gtag consent signals that will be sent if you have a legacy UA tag connected in the Preferences section

[Pandectes]

Hello, according to Google, legacy UA tags with connected site tags could lead to inconsistent data reports and could prevent access to Google tag features like enhanced measurement events and limited API commands. To leverage the full set of Google tag features, you need to install the new GA4 tag on your store or use Google Tag Manager. In addition, you will need to remove the UA property from the store settings or from the theme.liquid or from any other third-party app.

On our app, Pandectes GDPR Compliance, where we cover not only GDPR but many other regulations such as CCPA/CPRA, we provide the Google Consent Mode v2 integration, which is implemented in the advanced mode. There is no need to add any code - you add the GA4 property or the GTM property and everything works properly. We also provide the same functionality from inside GTM in case you want to manage everything from there and not from the Shopify side.