> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Step 2: Verify Events Are Flowing

> Confirm that your Shopify store is sending tracking events to the Upstack pipeline before connecting a destination.

Before connecting a destination like Meta CAPI, take a minute to verify that your events are arriving correctly. This saves you from debugging destination issues that are actually source issues.

## What You'll Accomplish

Confirm that storefront actions generate events in the Upstack dashboard with the expected event types, URLs, and customer data.

## Prerequisites

<Info>
  **Prerequisites:**

  * An active Shopify store
  * The Upstack Data app installed from the Shopify App Store
  * Your Pixel ID (found in the Upstack dashboard under Settings → Pixel)
</Info>

You should have already completed [Step 1: Install the Upstack Pixel](/get-started/install-on-shopify).

## Verification Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Live Event Stream">
    In the Upstack dashboard, navigate to **Events → Live Event Stream**. This view shows events arriving from your store in real time, with the most recent events at the top.

    Leave this tab open — you'll use it to confirm events as you trigger them.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Trigger a test pageview">
    Open your Shopify storefront in a new browser tab (or incognito window for a clean session). Visit your store's homepage.

    Switch back to the Live Event Stream. Within a few seconds, you should see a `PageView` event appear with the URL of your homepage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Trigger additional event types">
    Continue browsing your store to generate a range of events:

    | Action                | Expected Event     |
    | --------------------- | ------------------ |
    | View a product page   | `ViewContent`      |
    | Add a product to cart | `AddToCart`        |
    | Begin checkout        | `InitiateCheckout` |

    Verify each event appears in the stream with the correct event type and a populated URL.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Inspect an event payload">
    Click on any event in the Live Event Stream to expand its details. Confirm the payload includes:

    * **Pixel ID** — matches the Pixel ID shown in Settings → Pixel
    * **Event type** — correct for the action you took
    * **Page URL** — matches the page you visited
    * **Timestamp** — recent and in the correct timezone
    * **User data** — if you're logged in as a customer, look for email or customer ID fields
  </Step>
</Steps>

## You'll Know It's Working When...

<Tip>
  You should see at least three different event types (`PageView`, `ViewContent`, `AddToCart`) in the Live Event Stream, each with a valid payload containing your Pixel ID, a page URL, and a recent timestamp. If events appear within seconds of your storefront actions, your pipeline is healthy.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  **Missing events?** If you see `PageView` events but not `AddToCart` or `ViewContent`, your Shopify theme may be missing standard event hooks. Check **Shopify Admin → Online Store → Themes → Customize → App Embeds** and ensure Upstack Data is enabled. See [Troubleshooting: Events Not in Dashboard](/troubleshooting/events-not-in-dashboard) for more.
</Warning>

## Next Step

<CardGroup cols={1}>
  <Card title="Step 3: Connect a Destination" icon="arrow-right" href="/get-started/connect-a-destination">
    Now that events are flowing into Upstack, connect Meta as your first destination and start sending high-quality server-side conversions to your ad account.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Use Pixel Helper" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/guides/shopify/how-to-use-upstack-data-pixel-helper">
    Learn how to use the Upstack Pixel Helper browser extension to inspect events firing on your storefront.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Install Pixel Helper" icon="puzzle-piece" href="/guides/shopify/how-to-install-upstack-data-pixel-helper">
    Install the Upstack Pixel Helper browser extension to debug pixel events in real time.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Events not in dashboard" icon="triangle-exclamation" href="/troubleshooting/events-not-in-dashboard">
    Troubleshoot missing events in your Upstack dashboard — covers pixel installation, browser blockers, and theme conflicts.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>