Meta Pixel on your website.
Does it send before anyone is asked?

Where the pixel loads past the banner

The banner only holds the pixel back if it knows the code. Often it sits in a second place the banner does not cover.

1. 01

   Pixel code hard-coded in the theme

   The base code with fbq('init', …) sits in the theme header or a custom code field. It loads with every page, regardless of the banner.

   Art. 5(3) Directive 2002/58/EC

2. 02

   A plugin or app adds it again

   The Meta plugin for WooCommerce, a shop app or a marketing plugin adds the pixel a second time. One waits for consent, the other does not.

   Art. 5(3) Directive 2002/58/EC

3. 03

   Pixel tag in Tag Manager without a condition

   If the Meta tag in Google Tag Manager fires on all pages without a consent check, it sends before the choice, even when the banner is set up correctly.

   Art. 5(3) Directive 2002/58/EC

4. 04

   Facebook content next to the pixel

   A like box, embedded posts or Messenger chat load from connect.facebook.net. They belong behind consent too, but they are not the pixel.

   Art. 5(3) Directive 2002/58/EC

Step by step

1. Measure

   Open the page in a private window, developer tools (F12), Network tab, filter for “facebook” and reload without touching the banner. Under Application, Cookies look for _fbp. The report does this for every page it reads and names where the pixel comes from.

2. One installation only

   Find every place where fbq('init' appears (theme, plugins, apps, Tag Manager) and keep only one, ideally in the banner tool or Tag Manager.

3. Only after consent

   In the banner tool assign the Meta Pixel to the marketing category. If you add the code yourself: fbq('consent', 'revoke') before fbq('init', …) on every page, fbq('consent', 'grant') only after consent. According to Meta this only pauses sending; whether fbevents.js still loads shows in the measurement.

4. Measure again

   Check again without consent and after “Reject”. Only when no request goes to facebook.com/tr and no _fbp appears does the pixel no longer send before the choice.

Questions