DataLayer Sidepanel
Chrome extension for live GTM debugging. Shipped on Product Hunt.
Overview
DataLayer Sidepanel is a Chrome extension for monitoring and analyzing Google Tag Manager dataLayer pushes and events in real time. Instead of opening the developer console, switching tabs, and parsing raw arrays, you get a clean, persistent view inside Chrome’s side panel, running alongside whatever page you’re auditing.
What’s in the box
- Real-time monitoring. Every dataLayer push appears the moment it fires.
- Auto-refresh. No manual reload; the panel updates as the page does.
- Inspection. Each entry is expanded into a readable structure, not a stringified blob.
- Side-panel native. Built for Chrome’s side panel API so it doesn’t interfere with the page itself.
Why it exists
GTM debugging tooling has always been awkward. The official Tag Assistant works, but it’s modal and disruptive. Console.log spelunking is the alternative. The side panel is the natural place for a live tracking inspector: always visible, never in the way. Once Chrome shipped the API, the right tool became obvious.
Reception
Featured on Product Hunt. Adopted by marketing analytics teams as a default install for QA’ing tracking changes before they ship to production.