What are WooCommerce hooks and why do they matter for tracking?

woocommerce hooks wordpress events server-side architecture

Quick Answer

WooCommerce hooks are trigger points in the checkout process (add_to_cart, order_complete, etc.) where code can capture events. WordPress-native tracking uses these hooks directly with no external scripts needed. Events are captured server-side at the source, guaranteed delivery, impossible to block.

Full Answer

WordPress and WooCommerce use a hooks system with predefined points where plugins can execute code. For tracking, hooks like woocommerce_thankyou (order complete), woocommerce_add_to_cart, and woocommerce_checkout_order_processed fire server-side when actions occur. WordPress-native tracking solutions capture events at these hooks, meaning data is collected at the source before any browser involvement. This is why setup is 15 minutes vs 50+ hours for GTM.