UTM Source Tracking

Overview

Howl leverages utm_source to better segment traffic from syndicated channels, such as Apple News, AMP, or Social. This is configured as a simple url parameter appended to Howl links. Please note, this will not affect the link’s monetization in any way.

Building a Howl Attributed Link

There are two ways to append tracking to links so that clicks and revenue connected to these links can be reported:

1. Create a Howl Deeplink that directs to the product link with Howl tracking appended - a “Shop link”

2. Add a click wrapper around a product link so that upon click Howl tracking is added - a “Clickmate link”

In both methods, we support utm_source tracking so that we can report performance by syndicated platform (e.g, Apple News)

How to add utm_source to Howl Deeplinks (Shop Links)

These are links that have been created using the Howl Chrome Extension, which follows the format:

https://howl.me/1611792246540568252

You may also see the legacy domain shop-links. Tracking parameters can be added to either format in the same way.

https://shop-links.co/1611792246540568252

To add utm_source simply append it to the end like this:

https://howl.me/1611792246540568252?utm_source=applenews

Often publishers and creators use u1’s as an additional tracking parameter. Howl utm_source works well with links that utilize u1’s.

A normal link with u1 would look like:

https://howl.me/1611792246540568252?u1=myu1param

To add utm_source simply append it to the end like this:

https://howl.me/1611792246540568252?u1=myu1param&utm_source=applenews

How to add utm_source to Click wrapper links (Clickmate Links)

These are links that have been wrapped in Howl click wrapper, which follows the format:

https://howl.me/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdermstore.com.example%2Fshop%2Fproduct1234&publisher_slug=myacct&exclusive=1&article_name=my-story&article_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myarticle.com

To add utm_source simply append it to the end like this:

https://howl.me/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdermstore.com.example%2Fshop%2Fproduct1234&publisher_slug=myacct&exclusive=1&article_name=my-story&article_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myarticle.com&utm_source=applenews

Often publishers and creators use u1’s as an additional tracking parameter. Howl utm_source works well with links that utilize u1’s.

A normal link with u1 would look like:

https://howl.me/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdermstore.com.example%2Fshop%2Fproduct1234&publisher_slug=myacct&exclusive=1&article_name=my-story&article_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myarticle.com&u1=myu1param

To add utm_source simply append it to the end like this:

https://howl.me/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdermstore.com.example%2Fshop%2Fproduct1234&publisher_slug=myacct&exclusive=1&article_name=my-story&article_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myarticle.com&u1=myu1param&utm_source=applenews