Google Ads remarketing errors

On this page


Missing HTTP response

Missing HTTP response denotes that, while the Google Ads remarketing code was detected in the page source, the script itself did not execute. Each time the Google Ads remarketing script executes, we expect an HTTP response carrying the Google Ads remarketing request to Google’s servers carrying conversion_id, conversion_label, conversion_value and page URL.

This means that the Google Ads remarketing code is not implemented properly on the page and no conversions will be tracked.

To fix this, reinstall the Google Ads remarketing snippet by removing the current iteration, copy a new version from Google Ads, and insert that version into the site.


Code outside of body tags

The Google Ads remarketing code was detected on the page, but is currently implemented outside of the <body> tags. These tags are used to define the ‘body’ of the HTML document. Many browsers will not execute scripts or load elements after the closing body tag.

This means that Google Ads remarketing code is not implemented properly on the page and no conversions will be tracked.

To fix this, move the Google Ads remarketing script inside the closing </body> tag.

Sample code

Incorrect code

</body>
</html>
<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Correct code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>
</body>
</html>

google_conversion_id not set

The google_conversion_id variable is not properly set within the Google Ads remarketing script. The google_conversion_id is used to associate the Google Ads remarketing request to a specific Google Ads account.

Failing to properly set the google_conversion_id will prevent conversions from associating to your Google Ads account.

To fix this, ensure that google_conversion_id in the Google Ads remarketing script on your page matches the google_conversion_id generated in your account.

Sample code

Incorrect code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
  var google_conversion_id = ;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Correct code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
  var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

google_conversion_label not set

The google_conversion_label variable is not properly set within the Google Ads remarketing script. The google_conversion_label is used to associate the Google Ads remarketing request to a specific conversion action within an Google Ads account.

Failing to properly set the google_conversion_label will prevent conversions from associating to your Google Ads account.

Ensure that google_conversion_label in the Google Ads remarketing script on your page matches the google_conversion_label generated in your account.

Sample code

Incorrect code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
  var google_conversion_label = "";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Correct code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
  var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Missing closing script tag

The closing script tag </script> is used to declare the end of the Google Ads remarketing script. Failing to properly close the JavaScript will prevent the Google Ads remarketing script from executing.

This means that the Google Ads remarketing code is not implemented properly on the page and no conversions will be tracked.

To fix this, ensure that there is a closing </script> tag at the end of the Google Ads remarketing snippet.

Sample code

Incorrect code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
  / ]]> /
  <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">

</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Correct code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
  </script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

google_conversion_value not set

The google_conversion_value variable is not properly set within the Google Ads remarketing script. The google_conversion_value is used to associate a dollar amount to each recorded conversion.

Failing to properly set the google_conversion_value will prevent Google Ads from reporting conversion value and associated ‘value’ metrics.

To fix this, ensure that google_conversion_value in the Google Ads remarketing script does not contain invalid characters such as currency symbols.

Sample code

Incorrect code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
  var google_conversion_value = ;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Correct code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
  var google_conversion_value = 0;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Improper spacing or line breaks

JavaScript syntax has a specific protocol for closing out a line, which is adding a semicolon. This error suggests that the Google Ads remarketing JavaScript file contains invalid spacing or line breaks within the tracking snippet.

Invalid spacing or line breaks are typically violations of standard JavaScript syntax and prevent the tracking code from executing. Thus, no conversions will be reported.

To fix this, reinstall the Google Ads remarketing snippet by removing the current iteration, copying a new version from Google Ads, and inserting that version into the site.

Sample code

Incorrect code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
  var google_conversion_id
  =
  123456789;

var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Correct code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
  var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Using secure code on non-secure page or using non-secure code on secure page

The security protocol (http vs. https) used within the Google Ads remarketing script does not match the security protocol of the page containing the script.

http:// is the standard method used to access HTML pages. This protocol is not secured in that information sent via this method can be accessed by anyone. https:// is the secure protocol used to access HTML pages. Data sent via https:// is encrypted and thus only accessible by the user and the website. You will commonly find that most checkout and purchase pages are https://.

This can cause two issues: one technical in nature and the other user-experience related. First, failing to match the security protocol to the parent page can cause reporting discrepancies if there are other Google scripts implemented on the same page, in which the Google scripts share JavaScript variable names. For instance, if you implement Google Ads remarketing and conversion tracking on the same page without consistent use of “http://” or “https://”, this can cause Google Ads remarketing to under-report the number of click conversions. Second, this can cause a JavaScript security pop-up to users navigating to the page.

To fix this, verify that the security protocol of the script matches the protocol of the parent page.

Sample code

Incorrect code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = ;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
  <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">

</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Correct code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
  <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Pixel-only implementation

As opposed to implementing the entire JavaScript file, this page contains the <img> tag by itself. You can find the <img> tag inside of the <noscript> tags of the default tracking snippet.

Using the <img> tag by itself will not prevent conversions from accruing, but it will produce slightly different data than the standard script. This is due to the more advanced de-duplication of many-per-click conversions associated with the full tracking snippet.

To fix this, use the complete Google Ads remarketing snippet as opposed to the <img> tag where possible.

Sample code

Incorrect code

 <img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?value=0&label=-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>

Correct code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Missing CDATA comments

CDATA sections are required for documents parsed in the markup languages of SGML and XML. This error denotes that the CDATA comments have been omitted from the Google Ads remarketing script.

While most browsers can properly render the Google Ads remarketing snippet in the absence of CDATA comments, other browsers will fail to properly execute the script. This will result in conversions under-reporting.

Some content management systems or WYSIWYG editors (known as What You See Is What You Get editors) strip the /* <![CDATA[ */ and /* ]]> */ portion of the remarketing script. If you use a visual editor to insert JavaScript into your pages, check to make sure it hasn't incorrectly changed the script.

Sample code

Incorrect code

<script type="text/javascript">
   / <![CDATA[ /
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Correct code

<script type="text/javascript">
   /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/* ]]> */
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Incorrect script attribute

Script tags are used to define a particular client-side script, such as JavaScript in the case of remarketing. This error denotes that script attribute is not properly defined.

The language="JavaScript" attribute is an old and deprecated script tag attribute. In some browsers, and under certain circumstances, this can cause issues with the way the script is executed. This would prevent the script from firing, which would prevent conversions from reporting in Google Ads.

To fix this, verify that all script attributes within the Google Ads remarketing snippet are properly defined and mirror the script generated in your Google Ads account.

Sample code

Incorrect code

<script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = ;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Correct code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/?label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Incorrect formatting of dynamic conversion

The conversion value field can be coded with a monetary value to represent the value of a conversion. This field only accepts numerical values and decimals.

The sale value in your code shouldn't contain a currency prefix ($) or commas (,). If you insert $20.00, for example, JavaScript won't recognize this as a number, but a string.

This causes an error, which means no conversion or conversion value will be recorded.

To fix this, verify that the google_conversion_value field only contains numerical values and decimals.

Sample code

Incorrect code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = ;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
  var google_conversion_value = $20;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/
?value=$20label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Correct code

<script type="text/javascript">
 /* <![CDATA[ */
var google_conversion_id = 123456789;
var google_conversion_label = "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA";
var google_custom_params = window.google_tag_params;
var google_remarketing_only = true;
var google_conversion_value = 20;
/ ]]> /
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion.js">
</script>
<noscript>
<div style="display:inline;">
<img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/123456789/
?value=20label=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&guid=ON&script=0"/>
</div>
</noscript>

Referring URL GET parameter did not match the actual URL

This error denotes a mismatch between the actual URL of the webpage and the referring URL recorded in the HTTP request. When the remarketing script executes, it generates an HTTP request (GET) that contains all necessary information via the parameters in the GET method. One of these parameters is the "referring URL", which is typically the URL of the page that hosts the script. This URL may be the actual page, an iFrame, container tag, or external script. The mismatch in referring and actual URL typically only occurs if your tag is implemented inside of a frame, container or external script.

The referring URL in the HTTP request is what Google stores as the page URL for the creation of rule-based lists, such as URL contains /home. If there is a mismatch between the referring URL and the actual URL of the page, it may impair your ability to create accurate rule-based lists.

If the remarketing script is implemented inside of a frame, container, or external script, ensure that you are using the full remarketing JavaScript, as opposed to pixel-only.


Not Valid or Feed ID not provided when validating products

Tag Assistant is able to check that the product IDs that are in the Google Ads remarketing tag on your site match the ones that are being used in your Google Merchant Center feed.
If you have not entered an ID for the feed, you will need to do this first before you can check that the product IDs match those in your feed. Your feed ID can be found in your Google Merchant Center account. Once the feed ID has been provided the "Validate" button will become available which will allow you to check each product ID against your feed. You can also use the auto-validate option which will automatically attempt to validate your products as you navigate around your site.
If you have entered the feed ID and are seeing the "Not Valid" message, this means the ID on your product pages does not exist in your feed and this product will not be able to be used for dynamic remarketing.
To fix this, verify that the IDs used in your remarketing tags on your site are identical to the ones used in your Google Merchant Center feed.

Non-standard implementation

We have detected that the Google Ads remarketing code snippet on this page is a non-standard implementation.

Using non-standard code implementation on a page may prevent tags from being fired.


Missing quotes

This error indicates that parts of your remarketing tag's JavaScript are missing correct quotation marks, or that the quotes that are around the tag are not valid JavaScript syntax.

If the tag has been copied from Google Ads and pasted into certain word processing packages or email clients during the implementation process, for example when emailing instructions, the quotes in the script might automatically be converted into ones which are compatible with JavaScript's syntax. This means that the browser will not be able to execute the JavaScript. The quotes must be matched pairs of either '...' or "...", and not “...” or ‘...’

Sample code

Incorrect code

In this incorrect example the ecomm_prodid and ecomm_category parameters are using invalid quotation marks and ecomm_pagetype is missing quotation marks entirely.


<script type="text/javascript">
var google_tag_params = {
ecomm_prodid: “abc123”,
ecomm_pagetype: product,
ecomm_category: ‘Menswear’

Correct code

<script type="text/javascript">
var google_tag_params = {
ecomm_prodid: "abc123",
ecomm_pagetype: "product",
ecomm_category: "Menswear"
};
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