---
title: "Content & Media Sites"
description: "Implementation guide for blogs, news sites, and content publishers - track engagement, subscriptions, and ad performance."
canonical_url: "https://docs.sealmetrics.com/use-cases/content-media"
lang: "en"
date_generated: "2026-09-04T00:07:24.876Z"
source_hash: "dfce4acf59fac18e99b4a0d850bd40ca858fc110fe03da1ebcd32847fec0e402"
content_type: "documentation"
owner: "docs"
llm_priority: "useful"
source_file: "use-cases/content-media.mdx"
publisher: "Sealmetrics"
---

# Content & Media Sites

Canonical page: https://docs.sealmetrics.com/use-cases/content-media

To track a content site with Sealmetrics, add the tracking script with content grouping (blog, news publisher or media platform), then instrument three event types: **pageviews** (automatic, for articles and categories), **microconversions** via `sealmetrics.micro()` (scroll depth, time on article, shares, comments, video and podcast plays) and **conversions** via `sealmetrics.conv()` (newsletter signups and paid subscriptions). This guide covers each step with copy-paste examples, including a WordPress grouping snippet.

## What will you track?

| Event Type | Example | Purpose |
|------------|---------|---------|
| Pageviews | Articles, categories, homepage | Traffic analysis |
| Microconversions | Scroll depth, video plays, shares | Engagement metrics |
| Conversions | Newsletter signups, subscriptions | Audience building |

---

## Step 1: Basic Installation

```html
<script src="https://t.sealmetrics.com/t.js?id=YOUR_ACCOUNT_ID" defer></script>
```

### Content Grouping

Group content by type for better analysis:

```html
<!-- Homepage -->
<script src="https://t.sealmetrics.com/t.js?id=YOUR_ID&group=home" defer></script>

<!-- Article pages -->
<script src="https://t.sealmetrics.com/t.js?id=YOUR_ID&group=article" defer></script>

<!-- Category/archive pages -->
<script src="https://t.sealmetrics.com/t.js?id=YOUR_ID&group=category" defer></script>

<!-- Author pages -->
<script src="https://t.sealmetrics.com/t.js?id=YOUR_ID&group=author" defer></script>

<!-- Video content -->
<script src="https://t.sealmetrics.com/t.js?id=YOUR_ID&group=video" defer></script>

<!-- Podcast episodes -->
<script src="https://t.sealmetrics.com/t.js?id=YOUR_ID&group=podcast" defer></script>
```

### Dynamic Grouping (WordPress)

```php
<?php
function get_content_group() {
  if (is_front_page()) return 'home';
  if (is_single()) return 'article';
  if (is_category() || is_tag()) return 'category';
  if (is_author()) return 'author';
  if (is_search()) return 'search';
  return 'other';
}
?>
<script src="https://t.sealmetrics.com/t.js?id=YOUR_ID&group=<?php echo get_content_group(); ?>" defer></script>
```

---

## Step 2: Track Reading Engagement

### Scroll Depth

```javascript
(function() {
  var tracked = {};
  var articleHeight = document.querySelector('article, .post-content, .entry-content');
  if (!articleHeight) return;

  var articleTop = articleHeight.offsetTop;
  var articleBottom = articleTop + articleHeight.offsetHeight;

  window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {
    var scrollPosition = window.scrollY + window.innerHeight;
    var articleProgress = Math.min(100, Math.max(0,
      Math.round(((scrollPosition - articleTop) / (articleBottom - articleTop)) * 100)
    ));

    [25, 50, 75, 100].forEach(function(milestone) {
      if (articleProgress >= milestone && !tracked[milestone]) {
        tracked[milestone] = true;
        sealmetrics.micro('read_' + milestone, {
          article_id: document.body.dataset.postId,
          category: document.body.dataset.category
        });
      }
    });
  });
})();
```

### Time on Article

```javascript
(function() {
  var startTime = Date.now();
  var engagementThresholds = [30, 60, 120, 300]; // seconds
  var tracked = {};

  function checkEngagement() {
    var timeSpent = Math.floor((Date.now() - startTime) / 1000);

    engagementThresholds.forEach(function(threshold) {
      if (timeSpent >= threshold && !tracked[threshold]) {
        tracked[threshold] = true;
        sealmetrics.micro('time_on_article', {
          seconds: threshold.toString(),
          article_id: document.body.dataset.postId
        });
      }
    });
  }

  // Check every 10 seconds
  setInterval(checkEngagement, 10000);

  // Also check on visibility change (tab switch)
  document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', function() {
    if (document.visibilityState === 'hidden') {
      checkEngagement();
    }
  });
})();
```

### Engaged Reader (Combined)

```javascript
// Fire when user has scrolled 50%+ AND spent 30+ seconds
(function() {
  var hasScrolled50 = false;
  var hasSpent30s = false;
  var hasFiredEngaged = false;

  window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {
    if (getScrollPercent() >= 50) {
      hasScrolled50 = true;
      checkEngaged();
    }
  });

  setTimeout(function() {
    hasSpent30s = true;
    checkEngaged();
  }, 30000);

  function checkEngaged() {
    if (hasScrolled50 && hasSpent30s && !hasFiredEngaged) {
      hasFiredEngaged = true;
      sealmetrics.micro('engaged_reader', {
        article_id: document.body.dataset.postId,
        category: document.body.dataset.category,
        author: document.body.dataset.author
      });
    }
  }

  function getScrollPercent() {
    var h = document.documentElement;
    var b = document.body;
    return Math.round((h.scrollTop || b.scrollTop) / ((h.scrollHeight || b.scrollHeight) - h.clientHeight) * 100);
  }
})();
```

---

## Step 3: Track Newsletter Signups

### Inline Newsletter Form

```javascript
document.querySelectorAll('.newsletter-form').forEach(function(form) {
  form.addEventListener('submit', function(e) {
    sealmetrics.conv('newsletter_signup', 0, {
      form_location: this.dataset.location,  // 'header', 'footer', 'inline', 'popup'
      article_id: document.body.dataset.postId || 'none',
      category: document.body.dataset.category || 'none'
    });
  });
});
```

### Popup/Modal Signup

```javascript
// Track popup shown
function onNewsletterPopupShown() {
  sealmetrics.micro('newsletter_popup_shown', {
    trigger: 'exit_intent'  // or 'scroll', 'time'
  });
}

// Track popup closed without signup
function onNewsletterPopupClosed(didSignup) {
  if (!didSignup) {
    sealmetrics.micro('newsletter_popup_dismissed');
  }
}

// Track signup
function onNewsletterSignup(email) {
  sealmetrics.conv('newsletter_signup', 0, {
    form_location: 'popup',
    trigger: 'exit_intent'
  });
}
```

### Double Opt-in Confirmation

```javascript
// On the confirmation page (after clicking email link)
if (window.location.pathname.includes('/confirm')) {
  sealmetrics.conv('newsletter_confirmed', 0, {
    source: new URLSearchParams(window.location.search).get('src')
  });
}
```

---

## Step 4: Track Social Shares

### Share Button Clicks

```javascript
document.querySelectorAll('.share-button').forEach(function(button) {
  button.addEventListener('click', function() {
    sealmetrics.micro('social_share', {
      platform: this.dataset.platform,  // 'twitter', 'facebook', 'linkedin', 'email'
      article_id: document.body.dataset.postId,
      article_title: document.title
    });
  });
});
```

### Copy Link

```javascript
document.querySelector('.copy-link').addEventListener('click', function() {
  sealmetrics.micro('copy_link', {
    article_id: document.body.dataset.postId
  });
});
```

### Native Share API

Uses the browser's [Web Share API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Navigator/share) (`navigator.share`):

```javascript
document.querySelector('.native-share').addEventListener('click', async function() {
  if (navigator.share) {
    try {
      await navigator.share({
        title: document.title,
        url: window.location.href
      });
      sealmetrics.micro('native_share', {
        article_id: document.body.dataset.postId
      });
    } catch (err) {
      // User cancelled
    }
  }
});
```

---

## Step 5: Track Comments

### Comment Form Interaction

```javascript
// Focus on comment field
document.querySelector('#comment-field').addEventListener('focus', function() {
  sealmetrics.micro('comment_started', {
    article_id: document.body.dataset.postId
  });
}, { once: true });

// Comment submitted
document.querySelector('#comment-form').addEventListener('submit', function() {
  sealmetrics.micro('comment_submitted', {
    article_id: document.body.dataset.postId,
    is_reply: this.querySelector('[name="parent"]').value ? 'yes' : 'no'
  });
});
```

### Comment Reactions (if using reactions)

```javascript
document.querySelectorAll('.comment-reaction').forEach(function(button) {
  button.addEventListener('click', function() {
    sealmetrics.micro('comment_reaction', {
      reaction_type: this.dataset.reaction,  // 'like', 'helpful', 'disagree'
      article_id: document.body.dataset.postId
    });
  });
});
```

---

## Step 6: Track Video/Audio Content

### Video Player

```javascript
document.querySelectorAll('video, .video-player').forEach(function(video) {
  var videoId = video.dataset.videoId || video.id;
  var tracked = {};

  video.addEventListener('play', function() {
    if (!tracked.play) {
      tracked.play = true;
      sealmetrics.micro('video_play', {
        video_id: videoId,
        video_title: video.dataset.title
      });
    }
  });

  video.addEventListener('timeupdate', function() {
    var percent = Math.round((this.currentTime / this.duration) * 100);

    [25, 50, 75].forEach(function(milestone) {
      if (percent >= milestone && !tracked[milestone]) {
        tracked[milestone] = true;
        sealmetrics.micro('video_progress_' + milestone, {
          video_id: videoId
        });
      }
    });
  });

  video.addEventListener('ended', function() {
    sealmetrics.micro('video_complete', {
      video_id: videoId,
      video_title: video.dataset.title
    });
  });
});
```

### Podcast Player

```javascript
var podcast = document.querySelector('.podcast-player');
if (podcast) {
  var audio = podcast.querySelector('audio');
  var episodeId = podcast.dataset.episodeId;
  var tracked = {};

  audio.addEventListener('play', function() {
    if (!tracked.play) {
      tracked.play = true;
      sealmetrics.micro('podcast_play', {
        episode_id: episodeId,
        episode_title: podcast.dataset.title
      });
    }
  });

  audio.addEventListener('ended', function() {
    sealmetrics.micro('podcast_complete', {
      episode_id: episodeId
    });
  });

  // Track download
  podcast.querySelector('.download-episode').addEventListener('click', function() {
    sealmetrics.micro('podcast_download', {
      episode_id: episodeId
    });
  });
}
```

### YouTube Embeds

Uses the [YouTube IFrame Player API](https://developers.google.com/youtube/iframe_api_reference):

```javascript
// YouTube IFrame API
function onYouTubeIframeAPIReady() {
  document.querySelectorAll('.youtube-embed').forEach(function(container) {
    var player = new YT.Player(container, {
      events: {
        onStateChange: function(event) {
          var videoId = player.getVideoData().video_id;

          if (event.data === YT.PlayerState.PLAYING) {
            sealmetrics.micro('youtube_play', { video_id: videoId });
          }
          if (event.data === YT.PlayerState.ENDED) {
            sealmetrics.micro('youtube_complete', { video_id: videoId });
          }
        }
      }
    });
  });
}
```

---

## Step 7: Track Paid Subscriptions

### Paywall Interactions

```javascript
// Paywall shown
document.addEventListener('paywallShown', function(e) {
  sealmetrics.micro('paywall_shown', {
    article_id: document.body.dataset.postId,
    content_type: e.detail.contentType  // 'premium', 'members_only'
  });
});

// Plan selection
document.querySelectorAll('.subscription-plan').forEach(function(plan) {
  plan.addEventListener('click', function() {
    sealmetrics.micro('plan_selected', {
      plan: this.dataset.plan,
      price: this.dataset.price,
      billing: this.dataset.billing
    });
  });
});
```

### Subscription Purchase

```javascript
// On subscription success
function onSubscriptionComplete(subscription) {
  sealmetrics.conv('subscription', subscription.price, {
    plan: subscription.plan,
    billing_cycle: subscription.billing,  // 'monthly', 'yearly'
    currency: subscription.currency,
    source: document.body.dataset.postId ? 'article_paywall' : 'pricing_page'
  });
}
```

### Subscription Upgrade

```javascript
sealmetrics.conv('subscription_upgrade', priceDifference, {
  from_plan: currentPlan,
  to_plan: newPlan,
  currency: 'USD'
});
```

---

## Step 8: Track Internal Navigation

### Related Articles

```javascript
document.querySelectorAll('.related-articles a').forEach(function(link) {
  link.addEventListener('click', function() {
    sealmetrics.micro('related_article_click', {
      from_article: document.body.dataset.postId,
      to_article: this.dataset.postId,
      position: this.dataset.position  // '1', '2', '3'
    });
  });
});
```

### Category Navigation

```javascript
document.querySelectorAll('.category-nav a').forEach(function(link) {
  link.addEventListener('click', function() {
    sealmetrics.micro('category_click', {
      category: this.dataset.category,
      location: 'navigation'
    });
  });
});
```

### Search

```javascript
document.querySelector('#search-form').addEventListener('submit', function() {
  var query = document.querySelector('#search-input').value;
  sealmetrics.micro('search', {
    search_term: query,
    results_page: 'true'
  });
});
```

---

## Complete Content Funnel

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    CONTENT ENGAGEMENT FUNNEL                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                  │
│   DISCOVERY                                                      │
│   ─────────                                                      │
│   Homepage ──► Category ──► Article                             │
│   (pageview)   (pageview)   (pageview)                          │
│                                                                  │
│   ENGAGEMENT                                                     │
│   ──────────                                                     │
│   Read 25% ──► Read 50% ──► Read 75% ──► Read 100%             │
│   (micro)      (micro)      (micro)      (micro)                │
│                                                                  │
│   INTERACTION                                                    │
│   ───────────                                                    │
│   Comment ──► Share ──► Related Click                           │
│   (micro)     (micro)   (micro)                                 │
│                                                                  │
│   CONVERSION                                                     │
│   ──────────                                                     │
│   Newsletter Popup ──► Signup ──► Confirm                       │
│   (micro)              (CONV)     (CONV)                        │
│                                                                  │
│   MONETIZATION                                                   │
│   ────────────                                                   │
│   Paywall ──► Plan Select ──► Subscribe                         │
│   (micro)     (micro)         (CONV)                            │
│                                                                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

---

## Which metrics matter for content sites? {#key-metrics-for-content-sites}

| Metric | Formula | Events Needed |
|--------|---------|---------------|
| **Engaged Readers** | engaged_reader / pageviews | pageview, engaged_reader |
| **Read Completion** | read_100 / article pageviews | pageview, read_100 |
| **Newsletter Rate** | signups / entrances | pageview, newsletter_signup |
| **Share Rate** | shares / article pageviews | pageview, social_share |
| **Comment Rate** | comments / article pageviews | pageview, comment_submitted |
| **Video Completion** | video_complete / video_play | video_play, video_complete |
| **Subscription Rate** | subscriptions / paywall_shown | paywall_shown, subscription |

---

## Content Performance Analysis

After implementing, analyze in your dashboard:

### Traffic
- Top articles by pageviews
- Traffic sources per article
- Category performance

### Engagement
- Average scroll depth by category
- Time on page by author
- Engaged reader rate by topic

### Conversion
- Newsletter signup sources
- Best converting content
- Subscription paths

### Content ROI
- Revenue per article (if subscriptions)
- Lifetime value by acquisition content
- Author performance

**Note:**
- Reading engagement is measured with microconversions at 25/50/75/100% scroll, time-on-article thresholds (30, 60, 120, 300 s) and a combined `engaged_reader` event (50%+ scroll and 30+ seconds).
- Conversions are `newsletter_signup` / `newsletter_confirmed` and `subscription` with the plan price; paywall views and plan selection are microconversions.
- Key ratios: Engaged Readers, Read Completion (read_100 / article pageviews), Newsletter Rate, Share Rate, Video Completion and Subscription Rate (subscriptions / paywall_shown).

## Related documentation

- [Understanding Event Properties in Sealmetrics](/implementation/custom-properties/event-properties) — tag engagement events with article, author, and category properties
- [Installation](/implementation/tracker/installation) — add the tracking script to your publishing platform
- [Content Grouping](/implementation/content-site-structure/content-grouping) — organize articles, categories, and video into groups for reporting
- [Funnel Report](/reports/funnel) — measure the path from article read to newsletter or paid subscription
- [Conversions Report](/reports/conversions) — track newsletter signups and subscription revenue by source