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How to Create Tracking URLs for Google Analytics

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tracking urls google analyticsDid you know you can create tracking URLs for Google Analytics, even if you are not currently using a third party tool that will do this automatically for you? Just because you don’t have fancy tools doesn’t mean you can’t use the standard tracking URLs in Google Analytics.

If you would like to be able to track URLs, but you are doing it mostly on a budget and without tools for automation, you can still tag those URLs with parameters which will make it easy for you to evaluate through Google Analytics.

Google has a handy tool that is somewhat hidden in Google Analytis called their “URL builder form”. This allows you to enter in the parameters for whatever you would like to track, and then Google will convert it into a Google Analytics tracking friendly URL for you to use for your campaigns.

So instead of using

http://www.thesempost.com/some-sexy-title-name-here/

It would change it into

http://www.thesempost.com/some-sexy-title-name-here/?utm_source=where&utm_medium=show&utm_term=adkeywords&utm_content=mobile%20friendly&utm_campaign=notmobilegeddon

Here is a screenshot that shows it in action. create tracking urlA few things to note:

  • You can use multiple words for each particular section, however keep in mind it will make the end result URL longer.
  • You don’t have to fill out every section.  But source, medium and campaign should be the minimum used. (H/T Thom Craver)
  • You can easily memorize tracking just one or two parameters so you don’t need to keep returning to the URL builder.
  • These are identical to how many third party tools generate their tracking URLs, so they don’t scream “do it yourself” if you are doing this as a budget conscious effort.

Now, to find your data in Google Analytics, login to your account, then you will find the section under Acquisition -> Campaigns -> All Campaigns.

create tracking url2And that is just how easy it is to create your own tracking URLs for Google Analytics.

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Jennifer Slegg

Founder & Editor at The SEM Post
Jennifer Slegg is a longtime speaker and expert in search engine marketing, working in the industry for almost 20 years. When she isn't sitting at her desk writing and working, she can be found grabbing a latte at her local Starbucks or planning her next trip to Disneyland. She regularly speaks at Pubcon, SMX, State of Search, Brighton SEO and more, and has been presenting at conferences for over a decade.

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Comments

  1. “Maybe only tracking one or two parameters will work best for you.”

    Not true.

    You absolutely need source, medium and campaign. Without source and medium, you get (not set) in many reports. Without canpaign, you can’t differentiate some referrals from inbound marketing efforts.