UTM tracking is used by Google Analytics to uncover where visitors come from. This is done by adding UTM parameters (also known as a UTM tags or codes) to a URL in order to help track the source of the visit. These parameters can be used in conjunction with emails sent through ClickDimensions.
How does ClickDimensions work with UTM tracking?
When an Email Send is associated with a CRM campaign via the Email Send's Campaign lookup field, ClickDimensions automatically adds UTM tracking to hyperlinks in the email. This functionality is managed by the Add Google Analytics field in the Email Send's Advanced Settings. The default value of the field is Yes.
Which UTM parameters does ClickDimensions add?
ClickDimensions automatically appends the campaign source, medium, and name UTM parameters to links. The other two would need to be added manually.
| Name | UTM Code | Value | How is it Added? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campaign Source | utm_source | ClickDimensions | Automatic |
| Campaign Medium | utm_medium | Automatic | |
| Campaign Name | utm_campaign | (CRM Campaign name) | Automatic |
| Campaign Term | utm_term | Manual | |
| Campaign Content | utm_content | Manual |
This is an example of a link that has had the UTM parameters appended to it:
http://www.clickdimensions.com/? cldee=ZXJ5a2EuYWRhbXNAY2xpY2tkaW1lbnNpb25zLmNvbQ%3d%3d&utm_source=ClickDimensions&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Golf%20Fundraiser
NOTE: the “cldee” parameter is ClickDimensions’ tracking code and unrelated to UTM tracking.
How do I add the other UTM parameters manually?
If you would like to add just the two UTM parameters that ClickDimensions does not add, you would format your URL as follows:
http://www.clickdimensions.com?utm_term=Spring2018&utm_content=PPC
There you would fill in your own values for the parameters. Once the email is sent, ClickDimensions will automatically add the other three. (Remember that tracking is not added in emails sent using the Test button.)
This is an example of a link including all five parameters once it has been sent:
http://www.clickdimensions.com/?utm_term=Spring2018&utm_content= PPC&_cldee=ZXJ5a2EuYWRhbXNAY2xpY2tkaW1lbnNpb25zLmNvbQ%3d%3d&utm_source=ClickDimensions&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Golf%20Fundraiser
Can I add all the UTM parameters manually?
Yes, you can type all UTM parameters out yourself or even use Google’s URL Builder, but if you would like to add all of the UTM parameters manually, you will need to make sure to set the Add Google Analytics field on the Email Send to No.
If this field is left set as Yes, and you add one or more of the three UTM parameters that ClickDimensions automatically adds, this can cause various issues such as:
- UTM tracking inaccuracies or no tracking at all
- Links breaking
- Error upon submission of form hyperlinked in the email
Once an email is sent the links cannot be changed, so it is very important not to have any duplicate UTM parameters on a URL.
Can I use the UTM parameters in emails sent from a Campaign Automation?
Yes, your emails sent from a Campaign Automation can use the UTM parameters. In order to do so, you would need to select a value for the Campaign field in your Send Email action's settings—you can't set a Campaign on the template (outside of the Quick Send settings) so you must set the Campaign on the action itself.
Once you have that in place, the Email created by the Campaign Automation will see that Campaign value and pull it into the UTM paramters. By default, Emails created by a Campaign Automation will have the Add Google Analytics Campaign Tracking field set to Yes, so you only have to manually set a value in the Campaign field.
Because Emails created by Campaign Automations set the Google Analytics field to Yes, you cannot switch that field to No in order to use your own manually-created UTM parameters in the email.