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Why it matters
Tracking templates let you add analytics parameters or a third-party click tracker at account, campaign or ad group level, without editing every final URL.
A broken template sends every click through a failing redirect, so a single mistake can break all ads at once.
Where to find it in Google Ads
- Open Admin, then Account settings, then Tracking, for the account template.
- Templates can also be set at campaign, ad group, ad or keyword level; the most specific wins.
- Use the Test button to check the final address.
- Clicks use parallel tracking: the page loads while the tracker runs in the background, so check your tracker supports it.
An example
An account uses the template {lpurl}?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={campaignid}. Every click reaches the right page with the campaign ID attached for Analytics.
Common mistakes
- Putting the tracking parameters in the final URL instead of the template.
- Using a redirect that strips the GCLID.
- Changing the template without testing a click.
Checks that look at it
The audit checks Oppy runs on this, each with its own page.
Related terms
- UTM parameters: Tags added to a link, such as utm_source and utm_campaign, so analytics tools know where a visit came from.
- Final URL: The page an ad sends people to.
- GCLID: The Google click identifier added to a landing page address when someone clicks an ad.