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using UTM parameters with the original website link

by McCloud94
4 replies
I started tagging all links to my website with the UTM parameters, so I can see exactly where people are coming from.

First of all, what is the difference between UTM and REF parameters? I see a lot of big websites have 'ref' in their links.



I always visit a certain website (home url) and all the ref parameters get added to the url while it loads.
How is this done?

When I am tagging my url, it's always a bit.ly link - which doesn't look good at all.
It's much more professional and appealing for people to click on a website with my full name rather than some weird shortened url.
#link #original #parameters #utm #website
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  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    Originally Posted by McCloud94 View Post

    First of all, what is the difference between UTM and REF parameters? I see a lot of big websites have 'ref' in their links.
    First answer.. there is no difference other than REF by definition is actually a UTM ( Urchin Tracking Module ). There is no difference between ref='s or user='s they all are UTM's



    [quote=McCloud94;11480861 I always visit a certain website (home url) and all the ref parameters get added to the url while it loads. How is this done? [/QUOTE]

    using cookie data.. clear your cookies, and the first time you load the page you will see the same data is not there.

    Originally Posted by McCloud94 View Post

    When I am tagging my url, it's always a bit.ly link - which doesn't look good at all.
    It's much more professional and appealing for people to click on a website with my full name rather than some weird shortened url.
    I will say this.. this is YOUR personal preference.. but the reality is most people don't even look and I would venture to say that most would prefer the short URL over a long one.
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    • Profile picture of the author McCloud94
      Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

      I will say this.. this is YOUR personal preference.. but the reality is most people don't even look and I would venture to say that most would prefer the short URL over a long one.
      ok, got it. Thanks.

      But how is it my preference ?
      Is it possible to create UTM tagged urls that look like the original ?
      So let's say mydomain.com ?
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      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
        Originally Posted by McCloud94 View Post

        ok, got it. Thanks.

        But how is it my preference ?
        Is it possible to create UTM tagged urls that look like the original ?
        So let's say mydomain.com ?
        well sure its possible... BUT for instance you are using the UTM generator in GA.. that's just how it looks.. but if you have other methods of getting the data from your links, you can create whatever link UTM you want
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        • Profile picture of the author McCloud94
          Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

          well sure its possible... BUT for instance you are using the UTM generator in GA.. that's just how it looks.. but if you have other methods of getting the data from your links, you can create whatever link UTM you want
          Do you have a specific method in mind ?

          Just to be clear, here's what I need to achieve.



          As you see, the link is the original domain, but it leads to this long link with parameters.
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