Currently, Heatmaps have the following limitations:
-
Scrolling element on the < div > container
Hotjar builds Heatmaps on top of screenshots. When we load your page to take a screenshot of it, we check how large the page is and take a full-sized screenshot of it. The issue with pages that contain the scrolling part of a page within a < div > container rather than using the < body > container is that Hotjar cannot detect the scrolling content inside the < div > container when we take a screenshot.
-
Pages that use "scroll-lock"
Although the Heatmap is generated, the data collected is incorrect due to how scroll-lock pages work. Heatmaps are generated on top of screenshots that we take of your site. To do this we load your page in a 'screenshot browser' in a full-size mode which takes a screenshot of the page.
-
Pages that use parallax scrolling
Parallax scrolling does not support viewports which extend all the way to show the page, which is how Hotjar takes screenshots of pages, so the Heatmap screenshot won't look correct. However, it may be possible to capture images with parallax effects that appear distorted by updating the screenshot. With the update screenshot tool, click Take new to be shown a new window containing your site. Scroll to where the images are fulli visible, then when you're ready click Take screenshot.
-
Dynamic content
Our Heatmaps previously didn't capture dynamic content such as pop-ups, dropdown menus, or lazy-loading content by default. However, in most cases, these can now be captured using the update screenshot tool.
-
Content displayed using Adobe Flash
Due to security risks and the Adobe Flash plugin phase-out by all major browsers by the end of 2020, Hotjar no longer supports Flash content in Heatmaps.
-
iFrames
Although the iframes are within the HTML of the page, we are unable to collect data. Content will show within the iframe but clicks will not be present.
-
Height Limitations
When we take initially take a screenshot of a page, Hotjar renders it at a maximum of 15,000 pixels in height. Pages longer than this will be cropped to this point.
However, using theTake a new screenshot of this page yourself retake option will allow you to capture the full page in most cases. -
Pages with large file sizes
Hotjar has a limit of 10MB when capturing the HTML of a page. Large pages that contain images and source code within the body of the HTML will not be captured if they are over this limit.
-
Sharing Heatmaps
We’re working on a sharing tool for Heatmaps and in the meantime you can download a heatmap to be shared. Any member of your Hotjar team can also view a Heatmap report by searching for the same URL.
-
Hover-state menus
Hotjar may be unable to display a hover menu unless the HTML code of the page is updated when the menu is displayed, for example, with an additional HTML classname. A developer will be needed to implement this code.
Not Seeing Your Issue Here?
Visit our Troubleshooting Heatmap screenshots and data section for more information.