Booking Engine Third-party Tracking Integration Guide

Juss Reyes

Updated September 22, 2025 20:09

Overview

This article outlines Cloudbeds' responsibilities and also our customers regarding the integration of third-party tracking tools like Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Google Tag Manager (GTM), Google Ads, Facebook (Meta/Instagram) Pixel, and the Cloudbeds Booking Engine.

We are committed to providing you with the necessary tools and guidance for effective booking data tracking, including clear information about our support scope so you always know how we can help.

Shared Responsibilities

From Cloudbeds

Our primary responsibility is to ensure that the tracking settings and features within your Cloudbeds Booking Engine platform function correctly when used according to our documented instructions.

This includes:

Providing dedicated fields and settings: Offering user-friendly fields within your booking engine where you can input your tracking IDs, pixel codes, and provide relevant settings as described in our help articles.
Ensuring data layer functionality: For systems like Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Google Tag Manager (GTM), we ensure that the necessary ecommerce and transaction data (e.g., booking confirmations, revenue) is correctly structured and available in the data layer when our settings are properly implemented.
Creating and maintaining clear documentation: Providing comprehensive Help Center articles and guides that explain how to correctly utilize the tracking settings within our platform. These guides will detail where to input your IDs/codes and any specific configurations within our system.
Basic guidance on initial implementation: Offering general guidance within our documentation on how to get started with implementing tracking codes using our provided settings. This guidance will focus on the steps within our Booking Engine.

Example scenario

If you have correctly entered your GA4 Measurement ID into the designated field in our Cloudbeds Booking Engine Settings and followed all other instructions in our guides, our responsibility is to ensure that the booking data is being passed to Google's systems via the data layer.

From our customers

As the user of third-party tracking platforms, you are responsible for the setup, configuration, and management of your accounts and the interpretation of the data within those platforms.

This includes:

Creating and configuring your third-party accounts: Setting up your Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager, Google Ads, Facebook Business Manager accounts, and obtaining the necessary tracking IDs, pixel codes, and API keys.
Understanding third-party platform documentation: Familiarizing yourself with the official documentation and support resources provided by Google, Meta, and other third-party platforms to understand how their systems work.
Configuration and reporting: Setting up events, tags, triggers, audiences, goals, and interpreting reports inside your third-party platforms.
Implementing tracking codes within our system according to our guides: Accurately following the instructions in our Help Center articles to input your tracking IDs and configure the settings within your Cloudbeds Booking Engine Settings.
Advanced configuration within third-party platforms: Setting up specific events, conversions, audiences, and reports within your GA4, GTM, Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, etc. This includes using the data passed from our system to create custom configurations.
Third-party platforms troubleshooting: Diagnosing and resolving any issues related to the configuration, functionality, or reporting within your Google, Meta, or other third-party accounts. This may involve using tools like Google Tag Assistant, Facebook Pixel Helper, and consulting their respective support teams.
Interpreting your analytics data: Understanding the reports and insights generated by your third-party tracking platforms.

Example scenarios

Our system provides data for your use in GA4 and Google Ads. However, the setup, configuration, and troubleshooting of these Google tools (such as GA4 reports showing unexpected data or issues with Google Ads conversion tracking) within your own Google accounts are our customers' responsibility.
If your GA4 reports are missing expected data after you’ve correctly entered your GA4 ID in Cloudbeds, troubleshooting must occur within your GA4 or GTM setup using official documentation and tools.

Cloudbeds Support Exclusions

To ensure we can efficiently support all our customers with the core functionality of Cloudbeds, we do not provide direct support for the following:

Configuration within your third-party accounts: We cannot log in to your Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google Ads, Facebook Business Manager, or other third-party accounts to set up or modify configurations.
Troubleshooting issues within third-party platforms: We are unable to diagnose problems that originate from incorrect setups or malfunctions within your Google, Meta, or other third-party systems.
Interpreting data and creating reports in third-party platforms: We do not provide guidance on how to analyze your analytics data or create specific reports within Google Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, etc.
Advanced implementation beyond our documented settings: While we provide the tools for integration, advanced or highly customized tracking setups beyond the scope of our documented settings are the responsibility of the customer or their chosen experts.

Cloudbeds supported features and actions

YES

NO

✅ Tracking fields/settings: We provide dedicated fields in the Booking Engine Settings to enter your GA4 Measurement ID, GTM Container ID, Facebook Pixel ID, and other tracking codes.

✅ Tracking data layer: Cloudbeds ensures that key booking data (e.g., transaction values, booking confirmations) is passed through the data layer to your platforms when tracking is properly configured.

✅ Integration documentation: We provide step-by-step articles to help you properly input tracking IDs and configure the necessary settings inside Cloudbeds.

❌ Third-party access/configuration: We do not access or configure your third-party accounts (GA4, GTM, Facebook Business Manager, etc)

❌ Third-party troubleshoot actions: We do not troubleshoot errors inside your GA4, GTM, Google Ads, or Meta accounts.

❌ Third-party analysis: We do not interpret analytics or generate reports within third-party platforms.

❌ Custom tracking outside the platform: We do not support custom tracking implementations beyond the Booking Engine Settings standard integration options.

Connection and format recommendations

Website vs. Booking Engine Tracking: This guide covers tracking on the Cloudbeds Booking Engine. If you also track your external website (built with Wix, Squarespace, WordPress, etc.), you must configure tracking separately on your website and enable cross-domain tracking inside Google Analytics or GTM.
Connection method exclusivity:
- You must use either Direct GA4 or GTM connection inside Cloudbeds — not both.
- If GTM is enabled, all tags (including GA4, Ads, and Facebook) must be placed inside your GTM container.
Correct ID formats:
- Google Analytics 4 IDs must start with G- (e.g., G-XXXXXXXXXX)
- Google Ads Conversion IDs must start with AW- (e.g., AW-123456789)
- Google Tag Manager IDs must start with GTM- (e.g., GTM-XXXXXXX)
Internal GTM container notice:
- Cloudbeds manages its own internal GTM container (ID: GTM-5QRQZPX).
- Customers must create and maintain their own GTM containers for additional tracking needs.

Working with a third-party agency

If you choose to work with a third-party marketing or tracking agency, you are responsible for managing their access to your accounts (Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google Ads, Facebook Business Manager, etc.).

Cloudbeds cannot grant access to your third-party providers on your behalf. Learn how to add users to your Cloudbeds account.

💡 Remember to:

Grant your agency access to your third-party accounts as needed.
Ensure your agency understands your tracking goals and setup requirements.
Verify that your agency follows best practices for cross-domain tracking and ecommerce tracking setup if linking from your website to the Cloudbeds Booking Engine.
Manage test bookings and account configurations through your own agency or internal team.

🔗 Useful links

Optional services and resources

For customers who require more in-depth assistance with the setup, configuration, reporting, or advanced implementation of third-party tracking, we offer paid Professional Services to provide expert guidance tailored to your needs.

📚 Resources

Cloudbeds Booking Engine Tracking Settings
Google Analytics Help Center
Google Tag Manager Help
Google Ads Help
Meta Help Center (Facebook/Instagram)

Frequently asked questions

I entered my GA4 ID into Cloudbeds, but I don’t see bookings in Google Analytics. What should I check?

Verify that your GA4 ID starts with G- and is entered into the correct field in Booking Engine Settings. If GTM is enabled, ensure your GA4 tag is placed inside your GTM container.
Check Google’s documentation for cross-domain tracking if linking from your website.

Why do I see an "Access Denied" error when saving my GA4 or GTM tracking ID?

This error appears when your user role does not have the required permissions to update analytics settings.

To successfully save GA4, GTM, or other tracking pixels in the Booking Engine, your role must include both Hotel Profile and Booking Engine permissions. Ask your property administrator to review your permissions if you are unable to save changes.

Can Cloudbeds log into my GA4, GTM, or Ads account to troubleshoot my setup?

No. Cloudbeds does not access customer-owned third-party accounts. Please refer to the relevant platform documentation or explore Cloudbeds Professional Services for paid assistance.

What is GTM-5QRQZPX, and can I access it?

GTM-5QRQZPX is Cloudbeds' internal Google Tag Manager container. It is not available for customer edits. You must set up your own GTM container for your property’s tracking needs.

How do I set up tracking if my website links to the Cloudbeds Booking Engine?

You must configure cross-domain tracking inside your Google Analytics or GTM account. Cloudbeds enables the data layer, but proper setup inside your Google account is required. Refer to Google’s cross-domain tracking documentation for instructions.

Where can I test if my tracking tags are firing correctly?

You can use free tools like Google Tag Assistant (Chrome extension) or Facebook Pixel Helper to verify that your tracking tags are firing as expected.