In this article, we’ll show you how to create UTM tracking URLs and explain the different variables that can be included in them. We’ll also give you some tips on using UTM codes for your own marketing campaigns. Let’s get started!

What Is a UTM Code?

A UTM code is a type of URL that is used to track the progress of online marketing campaigns. The code is added to the end of a URL, and it contains information about where the traffic came from, what device was used, and other data that can be used to track conversions and ROI.

UTM stands for “Urchin Tracking Module.” Urchin was a software company that was purchased by Google in 2005. The UTM code was originally developed by Urchin to track website traffic. After the purchase, Google continued to use the UTM code and made it available to all users of Google Analytics.

Why Use UTM Codes?

A UTM code is a valuable tool for marketing campaigns because it allows you to track the performance of your campaign in terms of website traffic and conversions. By using UTM codes, you can see which aspects of your campaign are working and which need to be improved.

Think of it this way: if you’re running a Facebook ad campaign, you can use UTM codes to see how much traffic is coming from your ads and whether or not those visitors are taking the desired action on your website. This information can help you optimize your campaigns so that you get the most bang for your buck.

An Easy UTM Tracking Code Example

Here’s an example of a UTM code that you might see at the end of a URL:

?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=spring_sale

This UTM code consists of three variables: source, medium, and campaign. The source is where the traffic came from (in this case, Facebook). The medium is the type of channel that was used (in this case, paid search). And the campaign is the specific campaign that generated the traffic (in this case, a spring sale). You can include as many or as few variables in your UTM code as you like.

UTM Tracking URLs: Tips and Best Practices

Now that you know what UTM codes are and how they works, let’s take a look at some tips for using them in your marketing campaigns.

Use UTM Codes for All of Your Campaigns

If you’re running any kind of online marketing campaign, you should be using UTM codes. This includes paid search campaigns, social media campaigns, email campaigns, and more. UTM codes are a valuable way to track the performance of your campaigns and make sure that you’re getting the most out of your marketing efforts.

Make Sure Your UTM Codes Are Accurate

When you’re creating UTM codes, it’s important to make sure that the information you’re including is accurate. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people make mistakes when creating their UTM codes. Remember to double-check your work before you implement your codes!

Use a UTM Tracking URL Builder

Creating UTM codes can be a bit of a tedious task, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. Luckily, there are a number of UTM tracking URL builders that can help you create your codes quickly and easily. These tools will also help you keep track of your UTM codes so that you can see how they’re performing over time.

Test Your UTM Codes Before You Implement Them

Once you’ve created your UTM codes, it’s important to test them before you use them in a live campaign. This will help you ensure that the codes are working properly and that the information they’re tracking is accurate. You can test your UTM codes by setting up a test campaign and then checking the results in Google Analytics.

Keep Your UTM Codes Simple

When creating UTM codes, it’s important to keep them simple. Don’t try to include too much information in your codes – just include the basics (source, medium, campaign, etc.). If you try to include too much information, you run the risk of making mistakes or confusing your data.

Use Unique UTM Codes for Each Campaign

If you’re running multiple campaigns at the same time, it’s important to use unique UTM codes for each one. This will help you keep track of the performance of each campaign and make sure that you’re not mixing up your data.

Track Your UTM Codes Over Time

Once you’ve implemented UTM codes in your campaigns, it’s important to track their performance over time. This will help you see how your campaigns are performing and make necessary adjustments. You can track your UTM codes by logging into Google Analytics and looking at the results of your campaigns.

Make Adjustments Based on Your Data

Once you’ve been tracking your UTM codes for a while, you should start to see some patterns emerge. Use this data to make adjustments to your campaigns so that you can improve their performance. If you’re not seeing the results you want, don’t be afraid to experiment with different tactics.

UTM Parameters to Track: Examples

Now that you know how to create and use UTM codes, let’s take a look at some examples of the different types of information you can track with UTM codes (UTM parameters).

Source

The source parameter is used to identify the website or service that sent the traffic to your site. For example, if you’re running a paid search campaign on Google, the source would be “google.” If you’re running a social media campaign on Facebook, the traffic source would be “facebook.”

Medium

The medium parameter is used to identify the type of channel that was used to send the traffic to your site. For example, if you’re running a paid search campaign, the medium would be “ppc.” If you’re running a social network campaign, the medium would be “social.”

Campaign

The campaign parameter is used to identify the specific campaign that was used to send the traffic to your site. For example, if you’re running a paid search campaign, the campaign would be the name of your campaign. If you’re running a social media campaign, the campaign would be the name of your social media campaign.

Term

The term parameter is used to identify the keywords that were used to send the traffic to your site. For example, if someone searched for “red shoes” on Google and clicked on your ad, the term would be “red shoes.”

Content

The content parameter is used to identify the specific content that was used to send the traffic to your site. For example, if you’re running a social media campaign, the content would be the name of your social media campaign. If you’re running a paid search campaign, the content would be the name of your ad.

UTM Tracking Builders and Tools: Google Analytics

There are a few different tools that you can use to build your UTM codes. These tools will help you create UTM tracking codes and track the performance of your campaigns. The most popular is Google’s Campaign URL Builder. This tool is designed to help you create UTM codes for your campaigns. It’s simple to use and it’s free.

No matter which UTM builder you use, make sure that you’re tracking the performance of your campaigns so that you can make necessary adjustments.