Track Campaigns with UTM Parameters
Create consistent campaign links and verify source, medium, and campaign data in Hardal.
Use UTM parameters to describe the campaign behind an incoming visit. A consistent naming convention makes email, paid media, and partner campaigns easier to compare in Acquisition.
Choose a naming convention
| Parameter | Example convention |
|---|---|
utm_source | The sending platform or partner, such as newsletter |
utm_medium | The traffic type, such as email |
utm_campaign | A stable campaign name, such as winter_launch |
Use consistent spelling and casing across your team. Keep personal details out of campaign names and URL parameters. A UTM value describes traffic; it is not a Hardal Source ID.
https://www.example.com/new-arrivals?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=winter_launch
Add parameters with a URL builder so existing query strings and encoded values remain valid. Test the final destination after any redirects; parameters on the original link may be lost before the tracker records the landing page.
Verify one real visit
Confirm the tracker
Confirm that the web tracker is installed on the destination.
Open the campaign link
Open the tagged external link in a fresh test session. A new page view within an existing session may not define a new session source.
Inspect the landing event
In Engagement → Events, inspect the landing page view and its URL.
Check campaign attribution
Inspect its session context, then open Acquisition and locate the expected source, medium, and campaign for the matching date and source.
Do not add campaign tags to ordinary internal navigation: that makes your site's own links look like campaign activity. UTM tags also do not guarantee a particular channel classification; review the stored dimensions together.
Next, measure an email campaign or compare campaign performance. Google's campaign parameter reference provides general UTM naming background.