Add Tracking Parameters to Website Links on Facebook/Twitter

[dsinger]

does anyone know of a way to add tracking parameters to facebook/twitter website links in the about us section so that we can understand what traffic is specifically coming from that page?  I already add tracking to posts, but I am more trying to track each standard link on these social channels.

I am currently running into character limits or the result looks like a long url that will most certainly deter clicks because it looks suspicious.

[Ray-pp]

Are you tagging it with the Google URL Builder tool? https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/1033867?hl=en

You can set the tags easily and then measure the traffic through GA

[dsinger]

Yes, that is ultimately what I would like to do, but this poses issues.

Example:

Website Link: http://www.homepage.com

Website Link using parameters: http://www.homepage.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=AboutUs

If I try and put the version with the parameters into my website link section, I either cannot fit it due to character limits or it shows to the public with all of the parameters visible, which looks suspicious to the common person and would deter clicks.

now you see my issue?

[Ray-pp]

ah, I see - You're trying to update the 'Website' field on your Facebook page. Unfortunately, FB keeps that section inflexible.

Can you use a branded, shortened link? That way you could add all the URL parameters, shorten the link down to the right size, and keep consistent with the brand.

[dsinger]

I am not sure.  Is there a URL Shortner that keeps our branded piece in tact, but then shortens the rest?

so, it would be something like

homepage.com/Uz34T

vs.

homepage.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=AboutUs

[Ray-pp]

You could purchase a short domain that represents your company - i.e. hmp.ge

Once you have that domain, you could use a service like Bit.ly to use your branded domain to shorten the long URLs

If you can't purchase a branded domain, you could always use Bit.ly's or Google's URL shortener to have a recognized shortened URL.