Troubleshooting URL Parameter issues in Marketo

Summary

Issue

Cause:

• The issues can arise due to errors in how the URL parameters are structured, syntax errors, or difficulties in the domain's ability to handle parameters.
• One common problem is placing the anchor (represented by "#") incorrectly in the URL string, especially before the parameters.

Solution

URL parameters are extra pieces of information added to a URL to provide specific data or instructions. E.g., Example Domain?parameter1=value1&parameter2=value2

However, incorrect handling of these parameters by the domain may cause issues in resolving the URL, resulting in broken links or incorrect behavior in your Marketo campaigns. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that URL parameters are correctly managed to avoid any problems. Below are some recommended guidelines to follow while using URL parameters.

• Proper use of "?" in URL parameters:

Start your URL with "?" if it contains parameters. This correctly initiates the parameters and allows the URL to resolve correctly.

Example: www.example.com?parameter=value#anchor

• Verify your domain's ability to resolve parameters:

It's possible that certain websites may not be set up to accept or process parameters present in URLs automatically. If you're facing such an issue, it's important to inspect your website's domain settings. This can be done by exploring the configuration options offered by your content management system (CMS) or hosting provider.

In case your domain isn't equipped to handle parameters, you may need to reach out to your domain provider for further assistance.

• Place the anchor correctly:

The anchor is typically included at the end of a URL to direct the user to a specific section of a webpage. If you are using parameters in your URL, the anchor must always be placed after the parameters. 

Example:

Incorrect: www.example.com#anchor?parameter=value

Correct: www.example.com?parameter=value#anchor

Some examples of different URL constructions. Both of these are valid, correctly constructed URLs:

• www.example.com?parameter1=value1&parameter2=value2
• www.example.com?parameter1=value1#anchor

In the examples above, the "?" symbol is used to start the parameters, and the "&" symbol is used to separate multiple parameters. The anchor is placed at the end, after the parameters.