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UTM Link Validator / Tester

Q: What happens if a UTM parameter is missing?

If a required UTM parameter like utm_source, utm_medium, or utm_campaign is missing, Google Analytics may misclassify your traffic. It could be grouped under 'Direct' or 'Referral' traffic, making it impossible to accurately measure the performance and ROI of that specific campaign.

Q: Are certain characters forbidden in UTM codes?

Yes. You should avoid using special characters like ?, =, &, and # in your UTM values, as they have special meanings in URLs and can break the link. It is best practice to use only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Our UTM Builder tool helps prevent these errors automatically.

Avoid tracking errors before you launch. Paste your campaign URL to ensure it's correctly formatted for accurate analytics.

Validate Your Campaign URL

Paste your full campaign URL here

Detected UTM Parameters:

Parameter	Value
No parameters detected yet.

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Why Validate URLs Before Launching?

A simple typo or a missing parameter in your campaign URL can lead to significant tracking errors. When Google Analytics can't read your UTM codes correctly, it may misclassify your valuable campaign traffic as "Direct" or "Referral," making it impossible to measure your ROI accurately.

Examples: Good vs. Bad UTM Links

Good: `...&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=summer_sale`
Bad: `...&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=summer_sale` (Missing `utm_medium`, which is required).
Bad: `...&utm_source=facebook?utm_medium=cpc` (Using `?` instead of `&` breaks the URL).

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a UTM parameter is missing?

If a required UTM parameter like `utm_source`, `utm_medium`, or `utm_campaign` is missing, Google Analytics may not be able to correctly identify the source of the traffic. This can lead to your campaign data being incorrectly attributed, often appearing as "Direct" traffic, which makes it impossible to measure performance.

How do I fix an invalid UTM link?

The easiest way is to use a tool like our UTM Builder. It ensures all parameters are correctly formatted and encoded. Common fixes include making sure all parameters are separated by an ampersand (`&`), using lowercase for consistency, and avoiding special characters like `?` or `#` within your parameter values.

Are certain characters forbidden in UTM codes?

Yes. You should avoid using special characters that have reserved meanings in URLs, such as `?`, `&`, `=`, and `#`. Using these within a UTM value can break the link or cause tracking to fail. It is best practice to use only letters, numbers, hyphens (`-`), and underscores (`_`).