This extension reads Optimizely JavaScript data and state for any snippet that you have access to in your Optimizely account. Visit the website your snippet is installed on and it prints useful debugging information to the JavaScript console. The messages include information about what experiments are running on the page and what experiment and variation you are currently bucketed into.
The extension also enables you to use a non-cached version of your Optimizely snippet or even swap to use a different snippet you own on that page. These are useful tools for reducing wait time when debugging and trying out staging content on a production site.
Here are the steps to setup the extension:
– Turn on the extension by clicking on the Optimizely logo to the right of the address bar.
– Login to your Optimizely account when prompted. This fetches the list of projects and snippets you have permission to view with the extension.
– Open the Chrome JavaScript console to see the messages.
– On Windows and Linux, press Control-Shift-J.
– On Mac, press Command-Option-J.
– Navigate to a site where your snippet is installed to see the console log populate with Optimizely information.
The terms of the applicable agreement between you and Optimizely (including the online terms of service located at the following URL, https://www.optimizely.com/terms/ ) shall govern your access, installation and/or usage of this Optimizely Assistant Extension.
You can learn more about the extension in our Knowledge Base at https://help.optimizely.com/QA_Campaigns_and_Experiments/The_Optimizely_Chrome_extension.
As an engineer, I had this installed for years and never actually used it. It has a lot of features that I never use, and lacks the one feature that I need a lot: the ability to select which variations I’m in. So, I’m finally just uninstalling this extension.
There’s another extension in the Chrome Web Store with twice as many users that *does* allow you to easily choose your variation, so I use it instead. I won’t name it since I’m not here to advertise for it, but I hate having to use a 3rd-party extension and will reinstall this official one instead in the event that they implement a way to easily change between variations.
This is hugely helpful for developing our AB Tests.
1. JS console logs that include active Pages, A/B tests and Personalization campaigns you’re in.
2. Use a non-cached version of the snippet to always fetch the latest data so you don’t have to wait for a snippet refresh with changes when editing/QA’ing.
3. Easy way to add/remove a test cookie
4. Can swap snippets out or inject one on a page. Could be useful as you pitch new clients or work out of different demo accounts.