Campaign Tracking & Attribution Using UTM Parameters (Client Reference Guide)
Overview
To accurately understand where your leads are coming from, Meritto relies on UTM parameters. This guide explains what UTMs are, why they are important, and how they impact reporting inside Meritto.
This document is recommended for:
- Marketing & Digital teams
- Admissions & Growth teams
- Agency partners
- IT / Website teams
What Are UTM Parameters?
UTM parameters are small tags added to your website links. They help Meritto identify the exact source and campaign that generated a lead.
In simple terms, UTMs answer:
- Which platform brought this lead?
- Which campaign did the lead come from?
- Which ad or message worked best?
Why UTMs Are Important
Without UTMs:
- Leads may appear as Direct / Unknown
- Campaign performance becomes unclear
- ROI analysis is inaccurate
With UTMs:
- Every lead is mapped to the correct source and campaign
- Marketing performance is clearly visible
- Decision-making becomes data-driven
What Does a UTM-Tagged Link Look Like?
Example:
These parameters are invisible to users but captured by Meritto during lead submission.
Standard UTM Parameters (What to Use)
Mandatory Parameters (Recommended for All Campaigns)
Parameter | Purpose | Example |
| utm_source | latform or source google | google, meta, linkedin |
| utm_medium | Channel type | cpc, paid_social, email |
| utm_campaign | Campaign name | mba_fall_2025 |
How Meritto Captures UTMs
When a user:
- Clicks a campaign link with UTMs
- Lands on your website
- Submits a lead form
Meritto:
- Captures all UTM values automatically
- Stores them against the lead profile
- Uses them for reporting and attribution
UTM Tracking Flow
Campaign Link (UTMs added)
↓
Website / Landing Page
↓
Web Form Submission
↓
UTM Values Captured
↓
Lead Created in Meritto with Attribution
Common Campaign Use Cases
Paid Ads (Google / Meta / LinkedIn)
Used to:
- Measure cost per lead
- Compare platform performance
- Optimize campaign spend
Email & CRM Campaigns
Used to:
- Track engagement effectiveness
- Attribute leads to email initiatives
WhatsApp & SMS Campaigns
Used to:
- Measure outreach performance
- Track responses from broadcast campaigns
Common Issues & Their Impact
Issue | Impact |
| Missing UTMs | Leads show as Direct / Unknown |
| Inconsistent naming | Fragmented reports |
| Changing UTMs mid-campaign | Broken attribution |
| UTMs on internal links | Incorrect source overwrite |
UTMs vs Auto-Tracking (Important Note)
Some ad platforms use auto-tracking (e.g., Google Ads).
However:
- UTMs provide cross-platform clarity
- Meritto strongly recommends using UTMs even when auto-tracking is enabled
Client Responsibilities
- Ensure UTMs are added to all marketing links
- Follow naming consistency
- Share campaign structures when required for validation
Frequently Asked Questions
Will UTMs affect website performance?
No. UTMs are lightweight URL parameters.
Can UTMs be edited after lead creation?
No. UTMs capture the original source at the time of submission.
Are UTMs mandatory for all campaigns?
Highly recommended for accurate reporting and attribution.
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