I have just started using the Matomo WordPress plugin and have a question regarding a goal I have created.
I created a goal to track the number of downloads of a PDF Discount Voucher that I am offering to visitors to my site.
In an email campaign that I have just sent. I included a “Download Your Voucher” button which linked to the file in question. The email plugin statistics tell me that there have been 3000+ clicks on the link, but the Matomo dashboard shows zero conversions.
I appreciate that a click on the link does not necessarily mean it has been downloaded, but it seems unlikely that at least one or two visitors out of 3000+ would not have passed up the chance to get something for free.
Does the fact that the link was accessed from an email, rather than directly from a visit to the site, explain why Matomo has not recorded the clicks, or am I missing something?
HI @mc1969. Could you please share to us a screenshot of your goal configuration and if there is a link where people can download the pdf file? For example: https://examplesite.com/file/samplefile.pdf
The reason Matomo has not recorded the downloads is because the link in your email directs users straight to the PDF file, bypassing your website where the Matomo tracking code operates. Matomo relies on JavaScript tracking code embedded in your website pages to record visitor interactions. When users click a link in an email that goes directly to a PDF file, no webpage is loaded, and thus the tracking code isn’t executed. As a result, Matomo doesn’t register these downloads.
The email plugin you’re using likely tracks clicks by redirecting users through its own tracking URL before reaching the PDF file. This allows the plugin to record the number of clicks on the link within the email. However, since this process doesn’t involve your website or the Matomo tracking code, Matomo remains unaware of these actions.
What can you do?
Link to a Landing Page:
Instead of linking directly to the PDF file in your email, create a landing page on your website with a “Download Your Voucher” button. This page should have the Matomo tracking code installed. When visitors click the download button, Matomo will track this action as a goal conversion.
Use a Redirect Script:
Set up a server-side redirect script on your website that logs the download event before redirecting to the PDF. Ensure the script executes the Matomo tracking code to record the download.