Overview
This guide explains how to track YouTube video interactions (such as plays, pauses, and completions) on your website using Google Tag Manager (GTM), and send that data to HubSpot as Custom Behavioral Events.
It is designed for marketing and operations teams that want to analyze video engagement and trigger automated workflows based on user behavior.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure the following are in place:
HubSpot Enterprise subscription
(Marketing Hub or Operations Hub Enterprise is required for Custom Behavioral Events)Google Tag Manager access with publish permissions
YouTube videos embedded on your website
HubSpot tracking code is installed on your site
If your site is hosted on HubSpot, the tracking code is automatically included
If external, you must add the HubSpot tracking code manually
Step 1: Prepare the YouTube Embed Code
The YouTube iframe must include the enablejsapi=1 parameter for GTM to detect video events.
Correct Format:
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID?si=YOUR_PARAMS"></iframe>
<!-- Missing enablejsapi=1 -->
Note: If you copied the embed code directly from YouTube, you will need to manually add &enablejsapi=1 to the video URL.
Step 2: Enable Built-In GTM Variables
In GTM, go to Variables > Configure
Under “Videos”, enable the following:
Video Current Time
Video Duration
Video Percent
Video Provider
Video Status
Video Title
Video URL
Step 3: Create a YouTube Video Trigger
Go to Triggers > New
Choose YouTube Video as the trigger type
Configure the following:
Capture: Start (add Pause or Complete as needed)
Check: Add JavaScript API support to all YouTube videos
Fire on: All Videos
Name the trigger:
TRG - YouTube Video StartSave the trigger
Step 4: Create the Custom HTML Tag for HubSpot
Go to Tags > New
Select Custom HTML as the tag type
Name the tag:
TAG - HubSpot Video TrackingPaste the following code:
<script>
console.log('=== TRIGGER FIRED ===');
var lastEvent = window.dataLayer[window.dataLayer.length - 1];
if (typeof _hsq !== 'undefined' && lastEvent.event === 'gtm.video') {
if (lastEvent['gtm.videoStatus'] === 'start') {
_hsq.push([
'trackCustomBehavioralEvent',
{
name: "pe49646889_video_youtube_view",
properties: {
video_action: lastEvent['gtm.videoStatus'],
video_title: lastEvent['gtm.videoTitle'],
video_url: lastEvent['gtm.videoUrl'],
video_duration: lastEvent['gtm.videoDuration'],
video_percent: lastEvent['gtm.videoPercent'],
video_current_time: lastEvent['gtm.videoCurrentTime'],
video_provider: lastEvent['gtm.videoProvider'],
element_id: lastEvent['gtm.elementId'],
page_url: window.location.href,
page_title: document.title,
timestamp: Date.now()
}
}
]);
console.log('Event sent to HubSpot');
}
}
</script>
Assign the trigger
TRG - YouTube Video StartSave and publish the tag
Step 5: Test the Implementation
Enable Preview Mode in GTM
Open your website in a new tab
Play a YouTube video
In the GTM debug panel:
Confirm the
gtm.videoevent appearsVerify the tag is firing correctly
Open the browser console to check the logs
Log into HubSpot and check the Custom Behavioral Events > Event Stream
Checklist
The YouTube iframe includes
enablejsapi=1All GTM video variables are enabled
JavaScript API support is checked in the trigger
The HubSpot tracking code (
_hsq) is loaded before the video interactionConsole confirms successful event transmission
Step 6: Publish and Monitor
Publish your GTM container to the live environment
Re-test on the production site
Monitor event activity in HubSpot
Create automated workflows, lead scoring, or reports based on video interactions