Compare implementation methods

Last update: 2024-01-25
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See how each method of implementing Adobe Analytics compares to each other. You can use these tables to help your organization determine the most ideal way to send data to Adobe. Click on each column for more specific information.

Web

AppMeasurement Adobe Analytics extension Web SDK Web SDK extension
Implementation requirements Reference AppMeasurement.js on each page, define variables, send data using s.t() to Adobe Analytics Reference tag loader on each page, use the Data Collection UI to define variables and send data to Adobe Analytics Reference Alloy.js on each page, use alloy("sendEvent",{}) to compose XDM objects and send the desired data using Edge Network to Adobe Analytics Reference tag loader on each page, use the Data Collection UI to compose XDM objects and send the desired data using Edge Network to Adobe Analytics
Data destination Sent directly to Adobe Analytics Sent directly to Adobe Analytics Sent to Adobe Experience Platform Edge, which forwards data to Adobe Analytics Sent to Adobe Experience Platform Edge, which forwards data to Adobe Analytics
Difficulty making implementation adjustments Requires access to website code for every implementation change Change the website code once to install the loader tag; all further implementation updates can be made in the Data Collection UI Requires access to website code for every implementation change Change the website code once to install the loader tag; all further implementation updates can be made in the Data Collection UI
How A4T is handled A4T calls are included in hits sent to Adobe A4T calls are included in hits sent to Adobe A4T calls are sent as separate hits A4T calls are sent as separate hits
Context Data Use s.contextData. Use s.contextData in custom code blocks All unmapped fields are automatically sent as a.x.* context data variables. All unmapped fields are automatically sent as a.x.* context data variables.

Mobile and Others

CAUTION

Support for Version 4 Mobile SDKs ended on August 31, 2021. See Adobe Mobile Services end-of-life FAQ for more information.

Mobile SDK Server API
Implementation requirements Reference tag loader in the app, then use direct API calls or rules in Data Collection UI to compose XDM objects and send the desired data using Edge Network to Adobe Analytics Use Edge Network Server APIs to compose XDM objects and send the desired data using Edge Network to Adobe Analytics
Data destination Sent to Adobe Experience Platform Edge, which forwards data to Adobe Analytics Sent to Adobe Experience Platform Edge, which forwards data to Adobe Analytics
Difficulty making implementation adjustments Change the app code where direct API calls are made or make changes in the Data Collection UI Requires access to app code for every implementation change
How A4T is handled A4T calls are sent as separate hits A4T calls are sent as separate hits
Context Data All unmapped fields are automatically sent as a.x.* context data variables. All unmapped fields are automatically sent as a.x.* context data variables

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