We’ve been using the Facebook & Instagram app with Shopify for a long time, and our Meta Pixel seems to be working well in tests and other metrics. However, we’re experiencing an issue when trying to track specific URLs for retargeting.
The Issue:- We want to create retargeting audiences for users who visited our site in the last 30 days (e.g., “Retarget Web 30 Days” or “Retarget Web with specific URL containing certain words”).
However, the audience is not populating—it’s like there’s no data being collected.
When testing the PageView event, it fires correctly, but the data brackets {} are empty (no URL parameters).
We’ve tried different solutions, including using Google Tag Manager (GTM) to manually send URL data to the Meta Pixel, but we still can’t get the audience to populate.
**What We’ve Tried:**1. Checked Facebook Events Manager – The Pixel fires PageView events but without URL parameters.
Used GTM to send custom PageView events with URL data – The event fires, but audiences based on URLs are still empty.
Rechecked Shopify’s native Meta Pixel integration – No clear way to send additional data like URLs.
Questions:- Why is PageView event data {} empty in tests when using Shopify’s Meta Pixel integration?
How can we properly track specific URLs so that retargeting audiences populate correctly?
Is there a better way to configure Meta Pixel tracking on Shopify to include page URLs?
We appreciate any insights or solutions from the community. Thanks in advance!
I have already put tag manager as fb pageview to trigger and send url etc. Still not working with our pixel. Its not showing the pixel fires. Have you done this before?
Double-check Pixel settings – Go to Facebook Events Manager, find your Pixel, and make sure Advanced Matching is turned on. Sometimes Shopify’s built-in setup strips out URL parameters, and this can help.
Use GTM (but do it right) – If you’re using Google Tag Manager, make sure you’re actually passing the full window.location.href or window.location.pathname as a custom parameter inside the PageView event. A common mistake is setting the tag up but not sending the data properly.
Manually fire the event – Since Shopify limits what’s sent to Meta, you can go into Shopify’s checkout settings > Additional Scripts and add:fbq(‘track’, ‘PageView’, { page_path: window.location.pathname });
This forces the PageView event to send the correct URL.
Check browser privacy settings – Incognito mode, ad blockers, and iOS privacy updates can block tracking, so test using Facebook’s Pixel Helper extension in a clean browser session.
If you’re still stuck, a workaround is to create a Custom Conversion in Facebook Ads Manager based on URL contains instead of relying on the standard Pixel data
Hey, I see the issue you’re dealing with regarding the Meta Pixel and URL tracking for retargeting. It sounds like a tricky situation, but there’s a way to resolve this without requiring coding.
Here are a few suggestions that could help you properly track specific URLs for retargeting audiences:
Verify Shopify’s Meta Pixel Integration Settings: While Shopify’s integration should automatically pass PageView events, sometimes it can miss custom URL parameters. Ensure that Shopify is sending the full URL when the PageView event is fired. This can sometimes be a glitch in Shopify’s built-in integration, and you might need to double-check your settings.
Check for URL Parameter Passing: The Meta Pixel relies on specific URL parameters being passed correctly. Shopify may not send those URL parameters by default, so ensure you’re passing them in GTM or the Pixel setup. Try using Facebook’s Pixel Helper Chrome extension to see if the full URL is being passed and recorded with the Pixel.
Use Shopify’s Built-in Facebook Pixel Settings: Make sure you’re using Shopify’s native integration for the Meta Pixel to track specific pages. Shopify should be capturing the URLs automatically when setting up a Pixel in the Online Store > Preferences section. You can manually verify this by checking the Pixel’s event history in Facebook Events Manager.
Custom GTM Setup: Since you’re using GTM, make sure the custom tags are firing properly. For the best result, you may need to add URL variables in the GTM trigger setup, such as “Page URL” or “Referrer URL,” and pass these as custom parameters in the PageView event.
Consider Using an App for Pixel Management: If the native Shopify integration is still causing issues, try using an app like Trackify X or Pixel Perfect. These apps give you more control over the Pixel’s functionality and can help ensure the right data (including URL parameters) is being tracked for retargeting.
Hope that helps clarify things! If you’d like a more detailed walkthrough or assistance with any of the steps, feel free to message me, or click ‘Let’s Chat’ for more insights!