Joomla System - Google Tag Manager ACL Extension

Personalizing content for every visitor while staying privacy-compliant just got easier. The System - Google Tag Manager ACL plugin extends the power of the System - Google Tag Manager plugin, integrating seamlessly with it and the System - EU e-Privacy Directive plugin to link Google Consent Mode v2 signals to Joomla’s Access Control List (ACL) system. This trio lets site owners turn user consent into dynamic content control—including for guest users—unlocking personalization opportunities without compromising compliance.

How It Works

Built as a direct extension of System - Google Tag Manager, the System - Google Tag Manager ACL plugin enhances your consent management by syncing privacy choices with Joomla’s ACL— even for guests. Here’s how it operates:

- Set Up Access Levels: Create Joomla user groups and access levels tied to Google Consent Mode v2 signals (e.g., ad_storage, analytics_storage) that match your site’s needs.
- Capture Consent: Visitors, including guests, make privacy choices via the System - EU e-Privacy Directive popup, with preferences stored in the plg_sytem_gtag_consent cookie (e.g., {"ad_storage":"granted","analytics_storage":"denied",...}) by System - Google Tag Manager.
- Bypass Restrictions: Unlike standard Joomla ACL, which limits guests to a single guest access level, this plugin assigns even non-registered users to additional access levels based on their granted consents.
- Deliver Tailored Content: Guests and registered users alike see content matching their choices—like ads for those who approve ad_storage—while unapproved content stays hidden.

This integration turns consent into a site-wide tool, unrestricted by Joomla’s usual guest limitations, using access levels assigned by a cookie value controlled by the user instead of the Joomla User Manager.

Benefits for Site Owners

Why settle for sending consent data to Google without using it yourself? System - Google Tag Manager ACL puts those signals to work:

- Smarter Personalization: Tailor content—like ads or features—for all visitors, including guests, based on their consent, boosting engagement across the board.
- Maximize Revenue: Serve personalized ads to guests who consent to ad_storage or ad_personalization, expanding your revenue potential beyond registered users.
- Actionable Insights: Leverage consent data to refine your strategy for every visitor, not just those who log in, turning compliance into opportunity.
- User Trust: Respect preferences site-wide (e.g., no ads for non-consenters), building credibility with all users, registered or not.

Features

- Direct Extension: Enhances System - Google Tag Manager with ACL functionality, fully integrated with System - EU e-Privacy Directive.
- Guest Access Unlock: Bypasses Joomla’s standard ACL restrictions, allowing even guest users to join additional access levels based on consent.
- Flexible Control: Map any of Google’s seven consent signals (ad_storage, ad_user_data, ad_personalization, analytics_storage, functionality_storage, personalization_storage, security_storage) to custom user groups.
- Real-Time Sync: Instantly updates access levels for guests and registered users as consent is granted or denied.
- Privacy-First: Balances compliance with site goals, keeping users happy and your site legal.
- Lightweight: Uses existing cookie data for fast, efficient performance.

With System - Google Tag Manager ACL, you’re not just meeting privacy standards—you’re making them work for every visitor.