Beginner
How to verify your installation works on Hotjar
Quick Answer
To verify your Hotjar installation, log into your account and check the Sites & Organizations page for connection status. You can also use browser developer tools to confirm the tracking code is loading properly and generating data.
Prerequisites
- Active Hotjar account
- Hotjar tracking code installed on your website
- Access to your website's admin panel
- Basic understanding of browser developer tools
1
Check Installation Status in Hotjar Dashboard
Log into your Hotjar account and navigate to Sites & Organizations from the left sidebar. Look for your website in the list - a green checkmark or Connected status indicates successful installation. If you see Not verified or a warning icon, the installation needs attention.
Tip
It may take up to 10 minutes for the connection status to update after installing the code.
2
Use the Hotjar Browser Extension
Install the official Hotjar Browser Extension from your browser's extension store. Visit your website and look for the Hotjar extension icon in your browser toolbar. If installed correctly, the icon will show Active and display your Site ID number when clicked.
Tip
The browser extension only works when you're logged into your Hotjar account.
3
Verify Tracking Code in Page Source
Right-click on your webpage and select View Page Source. Press Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F on Mac) and search for
hotjar. You should find the Hotjar tracking script in the <head> section, containing your unique Site ID.Tip
Make sure the tracking code appears on every page you want to track, not just the homepage.
4
Check Network Activity in Developer Tools
Open your browser's Developer Tools (F12 or right-click → Inspect). Go to the Network tab and refresh your webpage. Filter by
hotjar or look for requests to script.hotjar.com. Successful requests with 200 OK status indicate proper loading.Tip
Clear your browser cache before testing to ensure you're seeing the latest version of your site.
5
Test Real-time Data Collection
In your Hotjar dashboard, go to Recordings and look for recent sessions from your IP address or test visits. Navigate through several pages on your website, then check back in 5-10 minutes to see if new recordings appear with your activity.
Tip
Make sure recordings are enabled and you haven't excluded your IP address from tracking.
6
Verify Console for Errors
In Developer Tools, switch to the Console tab and refresh your page. Look for any red error messages related to Hotjar or
hj functions. A properly working installation should not generate Hotjar-related errors. You may see initialization messages which are normal.Tip
Some ad blockers can interfere with Hotjar - try disabling them temporarily for testing.
7
Test Hotjar Features
Create a simple Survey or Poll in your Hotjar dashboard and set it to display on your website. Visit the page and confirm the survey appears correctly. This tests both the tracking code and Hotjar's ability to inject content into your site.
Tip
Start with a small, unobtrusive poll to avoid disrupting your actual visitors during testing.
Troubleshooting
Hotjar shows 'Not verified' status despite code installation
Ensure the tracking code is placed in the <head> section before any other scripts. Clear your browser cache and wait up to 15 minutes. Check that your website is publicly accessible and not behind authentication.
No recordings or heatmap data appearing
Verify that Recordings and Heatmaps are enabled in your site settings. Check if your IP address is excluded from tracking. Ensure you have sufficient traffic and data collection limits haven't been reached.
Tracking code present but no network requests to Hotjar
Check for JavaScript errors that might prevent Hotjar from loading. Verify the Site ID in your tracking code matches your dashboard. Disable ad blockers or privacy extensions that might block Hotjar requests.
Hotjar extension shows as inactive on your website
Refresh the page and ensure you're logged into the correct Hotjar account. Check that the Site ID in your tracking code corresponds to the site you're viewing. Try logging out and back into both Hotjar and the browser extension.
Ready to get started with Hotjar?
Put this tutorial into practice. Visit Hotjar and follow the steps above.
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