Overview
When an Adobe Analytics tag triggers a "Warning" in the browser console, it means that while the tag may have successfully fired, there is an underlying issue that could lead to data inaccuracies, future breakage, or degraded performance.
Unlike errors, warnings do not always result in immediate data loss, but they serve as an early indicator of implementation "technical debt." Ignoring these warnings can lead to a lack of overall trust in Adobe Analytics reporting as browser standards change (e.g., privacy updates or deprecated code) or as the implementation grows in complexity.
Implementation
We have made implementing this check for Tags that fire on page load simple.
The primary pre-requisite is to create an Audit that scans the pages you want to validate.
You can extend this check in Audits using ClickAll+ to surface warnings that only appear during user interactions (like clicking a CTA or navigation link).
Here is a pre-built ObservePoint report filtered to Adobe Analytics Tags with browser console warnings. If the report is empty, your implementation is following current best practices!
Remediation
Below is a guide to identifying and eliminating common console warnings in Adobe Analytics tags.
Common Warnings for Adobe Analytics
When auditing your site with ObservePoint, you may see warnings in the browser logs that provide context on why a tag may eventually fail:
Warning Type | Context | Meaning in Adobe Analytics Context |
SameSite Cookie | Browser Privacy | The |
Deprecated Function | Code Maintenance | You are using a legacy plugin or an older version of |
Duplicate Variable | Data Integrity | A variable (like an eVar or Prop) is being set multiple times within the same hit, which can lead to the last value overwriting the intended data. |
Performance Issue | Page Speed | The Adobe library is taking longer than expected to initialize, potentially delaying the tracking beacon. |
Tracking Server Mismatch | SSL/Security | A warning indicating the tracking server is being accessed over an insecure connection while the site is on HTTPS. |
How to Remediate
To resolve these warnings and ensure a future-proof implementation, follow these technical steps:
1. Update the AppMeasurement Library
Many console warnings related to cookie handling and browser compatibility are resolved by simply updating to the latest version of AppMeasurement.js or migrating to the Adobe Experience Platform Web SDK.
In AEP Tags (Launch): Ensure the Adobe Analytics extension is updated to the latest version and republished.
2. Review "SameSite" Attributes
If you see warnings regarding cookies, verify your Tracking Server configuration. Ensure you are using a First-Party Cookie (CNAME) setup with a valid SSL certificate. Adobe's modern libraries automatically handle SameSite attributes if the tracking server is configured correctly.
3. Audit Custom Code Blocks
Warnings often originate from custom JavaScript within your Tag Manager.
Look for variables that are referenced but not defined.
Clean up legacy plugins in the
doPluginssection that may be triggering "deprecated" warnings.
4. Verify Secure Data Collection
Ensure that s.trackingServerSecure is defined and matches your secure data collection domain. This prevents "Mixed Content" warnings where a browser warns the user about insecure tracking requests on a secure page.
Conclusion
Console warnings are the "smoke before the fire." While they might not break your reports today, they represent risks that can lead to significant data gaps as browsers like Chrome and Safari tighten privacy and security standards. By proactively addressing these warnings via ObservePoint Audits, you ensure your Adobe Analytics implementation remains robust, compliant, and ready for long-term historical analysis.