What Are UTM Parameters?
UTM parameters (Urchin Tracking Module) are tags appended to a URL that tell analytics tools — primarily Google Analytics — where your traffic comes from, what campaign sent it, and which specific ad or link the visitor clicked.
The Standard UTM Parameters
- utm_source
- Identifies the platform sending traffic (e.g., facebook, google, newsletter).
- utm_medium
- Identifies the marketing channel (e.g., cpc, paid_social, email).
- utm_campaign
- Names the specific campaign (e.g., summer_sale_2025, black_friday).
- utm_content
- Differentiates ads or links within the same campaign (e.g., hero_banner, sidebar_cta).
- utm_term
- Tracks the keyword for paid search campaigns.
- utm_id
- A unique campaign identifier required by GA4 for cost data import.
When to Use UTM Parameters
Add UTM parameters to any link that brings traffic from an external source: ad campaigns, social media posts, email newsletters, partner referrals, QR codes on printed materials. Never add UTMs to internal site links — that overwrites the original source attribution and breaks your analytics.