Google Tag Manager Loading Strategies in Next.js

Performance, Analytics Accuracy, and Risk-Aware Implementation Google Tag Manager (GTM) can significantly affect Next.js apps. Choosing the right loading strategy requires balancing performance , tracking reliability , and implementation risk . This guide covers seven strategies , with performance / analytics / complexity & risk explained for each, including common mistakes and implementation examples. Why GTM Loading Matters in Next.js Next.js applications differ from traditional websites in important ways: Pages are server-rendered and then hydrated on the client JavaScript execution during hydration affects interaction metrics ( INP ) Client-side navigation does not reload the page Page views must be tracked manually on route changes Because of this, GTM loading strategy directly affects: Core Web Vitals (especially INP and LCP) Hydration speed and responsiveness Analytics accuracy and attribution 1. Balanced Approach – After-Interactive Loading (Recommended Default) Performance: Go