Defined Events

Defined Events let you assign your own names to user behaviors events you track in FullStory. They’re particularly useful for giving a more human name to your most common searches, lengthy URL paths, high-interest events, and other events with complex criteria. This helps make your FullStory data more meaningful and easy to understand. After you name an event, you can search for it by name when analyzing your data.

Getting Started with Defined Events

There are three ways to set up Defined Events: from Inspect Mode, from the event builder, and from Settings. 

Creating a Defined Event from Inspect Mode

1. While watching a session, go to Page Insights > Inspect Mode. 
2. Click on an element you’d like to define, then click "Define event."
3. Name your event and add a description. 
4. Use the event builder to add additional criteria as needed.
5.  Click “Save.”

Creating a Defined Event from the event builder

Alternatively, you also have the option of creating a defined event directly from your event builder. Simply add the event criteria you're interested in, then click the vertical ellipses and choose "Define event" to save your criteria. 

Creating a Defined Event from Settings

Finally, you can create and manage your events under Settings > Data Management > Events. Click “Create Event” to define your criteria.

When the pop up menu appears:

1. Give your element a name
2. Write a description that helps you remember what this element represents
3. Choose a definition from the event activity filter

Using Defined Events

After you create a Defined Event, you can search for it by name when building segments, funnels, metrics, and dashboards. Use the Custom Event filter to see a dropdown of all Defined and Custom Events in your account.

FAQ

Are Defined Events protected objects?
Yes. They can only be modified, archived or deleted by the original object creator (Admins or Architects).

Are Defined Events retroactive?
Yes! After you create a Defined Event, you can use it to search through all past and future FullStory data. However, Defined Events are not retroactive in Heatmaps, Journeys or Dimensionality Cards.

How many event filters can I add to a Defined Event?
You can add up to 10 event filters to your Defined Event using the "OR" operator. 

Will FullStory let me know if my site changes and my event no longer makes sense?
No, FullStory will not alert you that your Defined Event no longer exists on your site.

Do Defined Events work with Webhooks?
No, Defined Events don't work with FullStory webhooks or other webhook-based integrations such as the Zapier integration. Please use custom events defined via the FullStory JavaScript API for those integrations. 

What's the difference between a Defined Event and a Named Element? 
Defined Events allow you to assign a name to specific user behavior whereas Named Elements apply to CSS selectors only. You can reference a Named Element when creating a Defined Event (for example, clicked element “Add to Cart” when the Visited URL starts with /category-listing”).