# AutoTrack

> Learn how AutoTrack automatically detects and tracks client-side events on your website, including OutboundClick, FormSubmit, ViewContent, and AddToCart. Events are triggered for platforms integrated in the AnyTrack catalog and include tracked element attributes like items, form names, link URLs, and quantities.

AutoTrack is the client-side event detection engine built into the [Tracking Tag](/docs/install-anytrack-tag). It monitors user interactions on your website and fires standard events: `OutboundClick`, `FormSubmit`, `ViewContent`, `AddToCart`. All fire the moment they happen. No custom code, no event listeners to write, no manual configuration.

AutoTrack only fires events for platforms you have integrated in AnyTrack. When it detects an interaction with a tracked element, it captures the element attributes (item details, form name, link URL, quantity, value) and sends them as [event attributes](/docs/event-attributes) along with the event. This gives your ad platforms rich data for attribution and optimization.

## Events AutoTrack Captures

AutoTrack watches for four categories of client-side interactions:

### OutboundClick

Fired when a visitor clicks an affiliate link, merchant link, or any outbound link tied to an integrated platform. AutoTrack captures:

- Destination URL
- Link text and anchor attributes
- The AnyTrack Click ID (`atclid`) appended by [AutoTag](/docs/autotag)

This works for standard HTML anchor tags and links managed by WordPress plugins like [PrettyLinks](/docs/prettylinks) and [ThirstyAffiliates](/docs/thirstyaffiliates).

### FormSubmit

Fired when a visitor submits a form on your site. AutoTrack captures the form name, form ID, action URL, and any field values mapped through your tracking configuration. For detailed setup options, see the [Form Tracking](/docs/form-tracking) guide.

### ViewContent

Fired when a visitor views a product page, landing page, or other content page tied to an integrated eCommerce or affiliate platform. AutoTrack reads product details from the page (item name, price, category) and includes them as event attributes.

### AddToCart

Fired on eCommerce sites when a visitor adds a product to their cart. AutoTrack captures the item details, quantity, and value from the cart action. The specific behavior depends on your platform integration:

| Platform | Events Captured |
|----------|----------------|
| Shopify | ViewContent, AddToCart, InitiateCheckout, Purchase |
| WooCommerce | ViewContent, AddToCart, InitiateCheckout, Purchase |
| ClickFunnels | ViewContent, Purchase, Upsell |
| SamCart | ViewContent, Purchase |

For the full list of supported platforms, check the [Integration Catalog](/docs/integration-catalog).

## How AutoTrack Ties to Your Integrations

AutoTrack does not track everything on your site. It specifically monitors interactions with elements that belong to platforms connected in your AnyTrack [Integration Catalog](/docs/integration-catalog). When you add an affiliate network, eCommerce platform, or lead gen tool as an integration, AutoTrack knows which links, forms, and checkout flows to watch.

This means:

- Add a Shopify integration, and AutoTrack starts capturing cart and purchase events on your Shopify store
- Connect an affiliate network like [ClickBank](/docs/clickbank), and AutoTrack fires `OutboundClick` for links pointing to ClickBank offers
- Integrate a form builder, and AutoTrack picks up form submissions automatically

If a link or form is not tied to any integration in your catalog, AutoTrack ignores it.

## Element Attributes in Tracked Events

Every AutoTrack event includes attributes extracted from the tracked element. These attributes flow through to your ad platforms as [event attributes](/docs/event-attributes), improving Event Match Quality and enabling value-based bidding.

| Attribute | Description | Example Events |
|-----------|-------------|----------------|
| `items` | Product or offer details (name, SKU, price) | ViewContent, AddToCart, Purchase |
| `value` | Monetary value of the action | AddToCart, Purchase |
| `currency` | Currency code for the value | AddToCart, Purchase |
| `url` | Destination URL of the tracked element | OutboundClick |
| `label` | Link text, form name, or button label | OutboundClick, FormSubmit |
| `quantity` | Number of items in the action | AddToCart |

## AutoTrack vs Server-Side Tracking

AutoTrack handles client-side events only — interactions that happen in the visitor's browser. Server-side conversions (postback callbacks from affiliate networks, webhook notifications from eCommerce platforms) are processed separately through your [server-side integrations](/docs/server-side-tracking).

Both data paths feed into the same AnyTrack processing pipeline, where [deduplication](/docs/deduplication) prevents the same conversion from being counted twice.

## AutoTrack and AutoScan

[AutoScan](/docs/autoscan) crawls your site to discover which elements can be tracked. AutoTrack is the runtime engine that captures interactions with those elements as visitors use your site.

| Feature | Purpose | When It Runs |
|---------|---------|--------------|
| AutoScan | Discovers trackable elements | On-demand crawl from the dashboard |
| AutoTrack | Captures live user interactions | Every page load via the Tracking Tag |

## Verifying AutoTrack Events

Open your site in a browser, interact with a tracked element (click an affiliate link, submit a form, view a product page), then check the [Integration Event Log](/docs/integration-event-log) in your AnyTrack dashboard. The event should appear within seconds, showing the event type, destination, and captured attributes.

If events are not appearing:

- Verify the Tracking Tag is installed and loading
- Confirm the relevant platform is connected in your Integration Catalog
- Check that the element is a standard HTML tag (not JavaScript-only navigation)
- Make sure the destination is not in your [ignored sources](/docs/ignored-sources) list

<FaqAccordion
  title="AutoTrack FAQ"
  icon="fa-duotone fa-circle-question"
  items={[
    {
      question: "Does AutoTrack slow down my website?",
      answer: "No. AutoTrack uses passive event listeners that run asynchronously. The Tracking Tag loads after your page content and does not block rendering or affect page speed scores."
    },
    {
      question: "Why is AutoTrack not firing events for a specific link?",
      answer: "AutoTrack only tracks elements tied to platforms in your Integration Catalog. If the link points to a merchant or network you have not integrated in AnyTrack, AutoTrack will ignore it. Add the integration first, then AutoTrack picks it up automatically."
    },
    {
      question: "Can I disable AutoTrack for specific elements?",
      answer: "Yes. You can exclude specific links or domains from tracking in your property settings under ignored sources. Elements matching those destinations will not fire AutoTrack events."
    },
    {
      question: "Does AutoTrack work on single-page applications?",
      answer: "AutoTrack supports SPAs through its DOM mutation observer. When new links or forms are added to the page dynamically, AutoTrack picks them up automatically. See Single Page Tracking for details."
    },
    {
      question: "What happens if both AutoTrack and a server-side postback report the same conversion?",
      answer: "AnyTrack deduplication catches this and only forwards one event to your ad platforms. Both the client-side and server-side events are logged, but duplicate conversions are not sent downstream."
    }
  ]}
/>

<Cards columns={2}>

  <Card title="AutoTag" href="/docs/autotag" icon="fa-tag" iconColor="blue-500">
    <p>Automatically append Click IDs to your links and forms.</p>
  </Card>

  <Card title="Integration Catalog" href="/docs/integration-catalog" icon="fa-puzzle-piece" iconColor="blue-500">
    <p>See which platforms AutoTrack supports.</p>
  </Card>

  <Card title="Single Page Tracking" href="/docs/single-page-tracking" icon="fa-file" iconColor="blue-500">
    <p>How AutoTrack handles single-page application navigation.</p>
  </Card>

</Cards>