H Hotjar

How to verify your installation works on Hotjar

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

To verify your Hotjar installation, log into your account and check the Sites & Organizations page for connection status. You can also use browser developer tools to confirm the tracking code is loading properly and generating data.

Try Hotjar Full Hotjar Review

Prerequisites

  • Active Hotjar account
  • Hotjar tracking code installed on your website
  • Access to your website's admin panel
  • Basic understanding of browser developer tools

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Check Installation Status in Hotjar Dashboard

Log into your Hotjar account and navigate to Sites & Organizations from the left sidebar. Look for your website in the list - a green checkmark or Connected status indicates successful installation. If you see Not verified or a warning icon, the installation needs attention.
It may take up to 10 minutes for the connection status to update after installing the code.
2

Use the Hotjar Browser Extension

Install the official Hotjar Browser Extension from your browser's extension store. Visit your website and look for the Hotjar extension icon in your browser toolbar. If installed correctly, the icon will show Active and display your Site ID number when clicked.
The browser extension only works when you're logged into your Hotjar account.
3

Verify Tracking Code in Page Source

Right-click on your webpage and select View Page Source. Press Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F on Mac) and search for hotjar. You should find the Hotjar tracking script in the <head> section, containing your unique Site ID.
Make sure the tracking code appears on every page you want to track, not just the homepage.
4

Check Network Activity in Developer Tools

Open your browser's Developer Tools (F12 or right-click → Inspect). Go to the Network tab and refresh your webpage. Filter by hotjar or look for requests to script.hotjar.com. Successful requests with 200 OK status indicate proper loading.
Clear your browser cache before testing to ensure you're seeing the latest version of your site.
5

Test Real-time Data Collection

In your Hotjar dashboard, go to Recordings and look for recent sessions from your IP address or test visits. Navigate through several pages on your website, then check back in 5-10 minutes to see if new recordings appear with your activity.
Make sure recordings are enabled and you haven't excluded your IP address from tracking.
6

Verify Console for Errors

In Developer Tools, switch to the Console tab and refresh your page. Look for any red error messages related to Hotjar or hj functions. A properly working installation should not generate Hotjar-related errors. You may see initialization messages which are normal.
Some ad blockers can interfere with Hotjar - try disabling them temporarily for testing.
7

Test Hotjar Features

Create a simple Survey or Poll in your Hotjar dashboard and set it to display on your website. Visit the page and confirm the survey appears correctly. This tests both the tracking code and Hotjar's ability to inject content into your site.
Start with a small, unobtrusive poll to avoid disrupting your actual visitors during testing.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Hotjar shows 'Not verified' status despite code installation

Ensure the tracking code is placed in the <head> section before any other scripts. Clear your browser cache and wait up to 15 minutes. Check that your website is publicly accessible and not behind authentication.

No recordings or heatmap data appearing

Verify that Recordings and Heatmaps are enabled in your site settings. Check if your IP address is excluded from tracking. Ensure you have sufficient traffic and data collection limits haven't been reached.

Tracking code present but no network requests to Hotjar

Check for JavaScript errors that might prevent Hotjar from loading. Verify the Site ID in your tracking code matches your dashboard. Disable ad blockers or privacy extensions that might block Hotjar requests.

Hotjar extension shows as inactive on your website

Refresh the page and ensure you're logged into the correct Hotjar account. Check that the Site ID in your tracking code corresponds to the site you're viewing. Try logging out and back into both Hotjar and the browser extension.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Hotjar website before purchasing.
Visit Hotjar View Hotjar Pricing