How to avoid Tracking Link traffic being counted as typed/bookmarked | Community
Skip to main content
AngelDee77
AngelDee77
Level 4
October 12, 2023
Solved

How to avoid Tracking Link traffic being counted as typed/bookmarked

  • October 12, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 1170 views

We have been using tracking code + a referrer to classify traffic from advertising.  However, i know this is flawed particularly if a browser is blocking this.  However, the point was to avoid tracking this traffic if it was a bookmarked.  Someone could easily click on a banner ad, arrive on our site, and bookmark it, returning again and again.

 

I'm looking for a better way to classify this traffic without using referrer. Does anyone have any better ideas?

This post is no longer active and is closed to new replies. Need help? Start a new post to ask your question.
Best answer by Jennifer_Dungan

Unfortunately, due to many sites adding "noreferrer" directives onto their links... or if people copy the link and paste it into their browser (basically the user is coming from the site, but somewhat indirectly).... there is no way to distinguish a real referrer from those sites (missing referrer data) and people who have bookmarked those URLs.

 

I don't think most advertisers are setup to support post parameters, or custom header re-writing which would in theory allow information to be passed invisibly "behind the scenes" to your site... 

 

We're in a strange place right now... with the efforts to improve tracking, but also having to deal with overboard privacy concerns (like adding noreferrer directives to links.. ). I don't know if there is any "right" answer to this...

1 reply

Jennifer_Dungan
Community Advisor and Adobe Champion
Jennifer_DunganCommunity Advisor and Adobe ChampionAccepted solution
Community Advisor and Adobe Champion
October 12, 2023

Unfortunately, due to many sites adding "noreferrer" directives onto their links... or if people copy the link and paste it into their browser (basically the user is coming from the site, but somewhat indirectly).... there is no way to distinguish a real referrer from those sites (missing referrer data) and people who have bookmarked those URLs.

 

I don't think most advertisers are setup to support post parameters, or custom header re-writing which would in theory allow information to be passed invisibly "behind the scenes" to your site... 

 

We're in a strange place right now... with the efforts to improve tracking, but also having to deal with overboard privacy concerns (like adding noreferrer directives to links.. ). I don't know if there is any "right" answer to this...

AngelDee77
AngelDee77Author
Level 4
October 12, 2023

No worries, thanks for replying. i thought i would ask just in case. Over the years i have tweaked and tweaked these rules.  I was asked to add in the referrrer condition as a back up to prevent bookmarked traffic, but its literally had the opposite effect and categorised advertising that is advertising as direct. 

 

So, here we are.

    Jennifer_Dungan
    Community Advisor and Adobe Champion
    Jennifer_DunganCommunity Advisor and Adobe Champion
    Community Advisor and Adobe Champion
    October 12, 2023

    ouch.. If you are talking about Marketing Channels... I use a mix of rules... some that identify the referrer, then later rules that don't... so I ensure that specific identification like Ads which is really important is near the top and looking at all the possible info to ensure proper identification...

     

    I'm still tweaking our rules to adjust to new things that people keep doing.. so I feel your pain.

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

    Loading footer...