Canonical URL: https://chargezen.com/docs/spark/tracking-links/utm-parameters

# UTM Parameters

Track affiliate campaigns in Google Analytics

Last updated: 2026-01-19

UTM parameters let you track affiliate traffic in Google Analytics alongside your other marketing channels. Spark! can automatically add UTM parameters to all affiliate links.

## What Are UTM Parameters?

UTM (Urchin Tracking Module) parameters are tags added to URLs that help analytics tools identify traffic sources:

*   **utm\_source** — The referrer (e.g., "spark", "affiliate")
*   **utm\_medium** — Marketing medium (e.g., "referral", "affiliate")
*   **utm\_campaign** — Campaign name (e.g., "summer-sale", affiliate name)
*   **utm\_content** — Differentiates links (e.g., "banner-ad", "text-link")
*   **utm\_term** — Paid keywords (rarely used for affiliates)

## Automatic UTM Configuration

Enable automatic UTM parameters in Settings → Tracking → UTM Parameters:

##### Default UTM Template

`utm_source=spark&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign={affiliate_code}`

Variables like `{affiliate_code}`, `{affiliate_name}`, and`{link_id}` are replaced automatically.

## Custom UTM Parameters

Affiliates can add custom UTM parameters when creating links:

*   Override default campaign names for specific promotions
*   Add utm\_content to track different creative assets
*   Use consistent naming for better analytics organization

## Best Practices

*   **Use lowercase** — UTMs are case-sensitive; stick to lowercase
*   **No spaces** — Use hyphens or underscores instead
*   **Be consistent** — Create a naming convention and document it
*   **Keep it simple** — Only use parameters you'll actually analyze

## Viewing in Google Analytics

View affiliate traffic in Google Analytics 4:

1.  Go to Reports → Acquisition → Traffic Acquisition
2.  Add secondary dimension: "Session campaign"
3.  Filter by Source = "spark" or Medium = "affiliate"
4.  See conversions, revenue, and engagement by affiliate

##### GA4 + Spark! Integration

For deeper integration, connect your GA4 property to Spark! in Settings → Integrations. This enables automatic goal imports and cross-platform reporting.

## Next Steps

[

### Attribution Models

How Spark! attributes conversions

Learn more



](https://chargezen.com/docs/spark/attribution/models)[

### Analytics Dashboard

View UTM performance in Spark!

Learn more



](https://chargezen.com/docs/spark/analytics/dashboard)

### Related Articles

[

#### Creating Links

Generate tracking links



](https://chargezen.com/docs/spark/tracking-links/creating-links)[

#### Analytics Dashboard

View campaign performance



](https://chargezen.com/docs/spark/analytics/dashboard)

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