Understanding Iframe interactions and tracking limitations

Summary

Siteimprove cannot track clicks or interactions inside an iframe unless the external page loaded inside the iframe also has the Siteimprove script embedded. Because iframe content is loaded from a separate source, interactions inside the iframe happen on the external site rather than the parent site.

Overview

Iframes allow you to embed another webpage or content within the current webpage. It like a "window" that shows content from another site. Essentially, when you place an iframe on your site, the content inside the iframe is being loaded from a separate source, not your own website.

Why iframe interactions are not tracked by default

When someone interacts with a button or link inside that iframe, the action occurs on the external website, not on your site, meaning it's not possible to track these interactions.

When a user clicks a link or button inside an iframe, that action is happening within the context of the external site, not the parent site.

How iframe interactions can be tracked

To track the interaction on an element in an iframe, the external site must have the Siteimprove script embedded within its content. This way, when a user clicks on a button or link within the iframe, the external site can send that interaction data back to Siteimprove.

If the external page doesn't have this script, the data won’t be captured, because the tracking code isn’t running on that external page.