You can add custom link tracking parameters to individual messages in campaigns and journeys, so you can track performance and subscriber actions beyond your global link tracking defaults.
What is it?
Custom link tracking parameters let you add extra tracking values — like event names, message IDs, or subscriber identifiers — to all the links in a specific message. This works the same way whether the message is part of a campaign or a journey; only the entry point in step 1 below differs.
How do I use it?
- Create or edit a message in a campaign or journey for your desired channel. See below for channel specific information:
- Add or edit a shortlink in the message.
- Click + Add a custom link parameter.
- Enter a parameter Name and Value. For example, to track a holiday sale message, enter event as the Name and holiday_sale as the Value.
- In addition to static values, you can add variables like {{subscriber.email}}. Click { } to add a variable.
- If Enable Google Analytics Link Tracking is turned on, a parameter named utm_campaign is automatically created for you. Click the checkbox to turn it on or off. If it’s turned on, be sure to add a value.
- You can combine freeform text and multiple variables in a value. For example: holiday_sale_{{message.messageId}}_{{message.messageName}}
- (Optional) Click + Add a custom link parameter to create additional parameters.
- (Optional) Click the X next to a parameter to remove it.
- Click Save.
Supported variables
| Variable | Definition |
| {message.messageId}} | The individual ID of the message in Attentive that this parameter is appended to. |
| {{message.messageName}} | The name of the message at send time in Attentive that this parameter is appended to. |
| {{message.messageType}} | The type of message this parameter is appended to (concierge, marketing, or transactional). |
| {{subscriber.email}} | The email address of the subscriber an individual message was sent to. |
Example
A text message is sent with these link tracking parameters:
event = holiday_sale, id = {{message.messageId}}, email = {{subscriber.email}}.
If the message ID is 1234567 and the subscriber’s email address is firstname@test.com, the resulting URL looks like this:
https://www.yoursite.com?utm_medium=sms&utm_source=attentive&event=holiday_sale&id=1234567&email=firstname@test.com
Text
When creating or editing a text message (SMS or RCS), click the link icon to open the short link editor:
CAMPAIGNS
When creating or editing an email campaign message, click Edit in the Email details card to open the Email details drawer.
JOURNEYS
When creating or editing an email journey message, click the Send email step of the email you’d like to track to open the Send email drawer:
In the Send email drawer, scroll down to the Link tracking card to add/edit parameters:
Push
When creating or editing a Push campaign message, scroll to the Open action card and click + Add Link
In the new Open action window, add your Deep link URL and Link parameters
For Push messages in journeys, click the Send push notification step to open the Send push notification drawer. Then click + Add link in the Open action card to edit.
Why should I use it?
- Differentiate one message from others in reporting — for example, a holiday sale message vs. a newsletter.
- Track performance by individual subscriber, message, or message type.
- Layer message-specific tracking on top of your global defaults, without changing those defaults.