Redirects and their impact on analytics
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 8:52 am
Redirects are a useful tool to guide users to the right page, but if not set up properly, they can miss valuable information from the referrer. This is especially problematic when it comes to marketing campaigns where every click counts.
A misconfigured redirect can throw off UTM parameters, meaning you lose the ability to track where traffic is coming from. This can lead to misinterpretation of data and decisions based on incomplete information.
To fix this issue, make sure that all redirects preserve UTM parameters. This can be done by properly configuring redirect rules on your server or by using specific tools that preserve this information.
The HTTPS to HTTP problem
Switching from HTTPS to HTTP may result in the loss of referrer information, which impacts the accuracy of your analytics data. HTTPS is a secure protocol that protects user information, while HTTP does not offer the same level of security.
When a user moves from an HTTPS page to an HTTP one, referrer information can be lost, meaning you won't be able to track where that traffic came from. This is especially problematic for sites that handle sensitive information or conduct online transactions.
To avoid this problem, it is advisable to implement HTTPS throughout your website. bahamas mobile phone numbers database Not only does this improve security, but it also ensures that you won't lose valuable information from the referrer. Additionally, Google favors HTTPS sites in its search results, which can improve your SEO.
The Dark Social Phenomenon
Dark Social refers to visits that come from links shared on social media and messaging apps that do not pass on referrer information. This can include links shared on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or even emails.
The problem with Dark Social is that these links do not carry UTM parameters, which means you cannot trace their origin. This can lead to an underestimation of the impact of your campaigns on social media and other platforms.
To mitigate this issue, you can promote the use of short, custom URLs that include UTM parameters. This makes tracking easier and gives you a better idea of how your links are being shared on these platforms.
A misconfigured redirect can throw off UTM parameters, meaning you lose the ability to track where traffic is coming from. This can lead to misinterpretation of data and decisions based on incomplete information.
To fix this issue, make sure that all redirects preserve UTM parameters. This can be done by properly configuring redirect rules on your server or by using specific tools that preserve this information.
The HTTPS to HTTP problem
Switching from HTTPS to HTTP may result in the loss of referrer information, which impacts the accuracy of your analytics data. HTTPS is a secure protocol that protects user information, while HTTP does not offer the same level of security.
When a user moves from an HTTPS page to an HTTP one, referrer information can be lost, meaning you won't be able to track where that traffic came from. This is especially problematic for sites that handle sensitive information or conduct online transactions.
To avoid this problem, it is advisable to implement HTTPS throughout your website. bahamas mobile phone numbers database Not only does this improve security, but it also ensures that you won't lose valuable information from the referrer. Additionally, Google favors HTTPS sites in its search results, which can improve your SEO.
The Dark Social Phenomenon
Dark Social refers to visits that come from links shared on social media and messaging apps that do not pass on referrer information. This can include links shared on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or even emails.
The problem with Dark Social is that these links do not carry UTM parameters, which means you cannot trace their origin. This can lead to an underestimation of the impact of your campaigns on social media and other platforms.
To mitigate this issue, you can promote the use of short, custom URLs that include UTM parameters. This makes tracking easier and gives you a better idea of how your links are being shared on these platforms.