Tracking Parameters & UTM Setup Guide

Tracking Parameters

Tracking parameters (UTMs and platform-specific macros) are added to your ad URLs so TrueTracked can identify which campaigns, ad sets, and ads are driving traffic and conversions. The parameter builder in TrueTracked generates the correct URL parameters for each ad platform.

Why Tracking Parameters Matter

Without tracking parameters, TrueTracked can only attribute traffic to the referring domain. With proper parameters, you get granular attribution down to the specific campaign, ad group, and individual ad — enabling accurate ROAS calculations for each.

How to Use the Parameter Builder

Go to Settings > Tracking Parameters in your TrueTracked dashboard
Select your ad platform from the dropdown (Meta, Google Ads, TikTok, etc.)
The builder generates the required platform-specific parameters automatically
Optionally enable or customize UTM parameters (utm_source, utm_medium, utm_campaign, utm_content, utm_term)
Optionally add custom parameters for your own tracking needs
Copy the generated parameter string and append it to your ad destination URLs

Platform-Specific Parameters

Each ad platform uses dynamic macros that get replaced with actual values when the ad is served. Here are the required parameters by platform:

Meta (Facebook & Instagram)

tt_source=meta&tt_campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&tt_adset_id={{adset.id}}&tt_ad_id={{ad.id}}

Meta dynamically replaces {{campaign.id}}, {{adset.id}}, and {{ad.id}} with the actual IDs when the ad is shown.

Google Ads

{lpurl}?tt_source=google&tt_campaign_id={campaignid}&tt_adset_id={adgroupid}&tt_ad_id={creative}

Google Ads uses {lpurl} as the landing page URL placeholder, followed by ValueTrack parameters in curly braces.

TikTok

tt_source=tiktok&tt_campaign_id=__CAMPAIGN_ID__&tt_adset_id=__AID__&tt_ad_id=__CID__

TikTok uses double-underscore macros that resolve at ad serving time.

UTM Parameters

In addition to the required platform parameters, you can enable standard UTM parameters for broader analytics compatibility:

Parameter	Purpose	Example Value
`utm_source`	Traffic source	facebook, google, tiktok
`utm_medium`	Marketing medium	cpc, paid_social, display
`utm_campaign`	Campaign name	summer_sale, brand_awareness
`utm_content`	Ad creative identifier	video_1, carousel_a
`utm_term`	Search keywords	running+shoes, best+coffee

Custom Parameters

You can add custom parameters for your own tracking needs. Custom parameter names must be alphanumeric (with underscores allowed) and cannot duplicate existing parameter names.

&my_param=my_value&variant=control

How to Apply Parameters

Copy the full parameter string from the TrueTracked parameter builder
In your ad platform, paste it into the URL Parameters or Tracking Template field:
- Meta: Ad level > Destination > URL Parameters
- Google Ads: Campaign Settings > Tracking Template (or at ad group/ad level)
- TikTok: Ad level > URL > URL Parameters
Save and publish your ads

Troubleshooting

Parameters not showing in TrueTracked: Click on an ad and check the landing page URL in your browser bar. If you don't see the parameters, verify they're applied at the correct level in your ad platform.
Double question marks in URL: This happens when parameters are added to a URL that already has query params. Google Ads handles this automatically with {lpurl}. For other platforms, ensure the parameter string starts with & if your landing page URL already has a ?.
Attribution shows "Direct" instead of platform: Ensure the tt_source parameter is present. This is the primary identifier TrueTracked uses to attribute traffic to a platform.

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