Taxonomy of URL Tracking

CP Digitally is the go-to source for those looking to learn more about taxonomy and UTM tracking. We offer a comprehensive guide to taxonomy and UTM tracking, with clear and concise explanations of each term and how they relate to one another.

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Our goal is to make this complex subject easier to understand and to help marketers better track and measure their campaigns. With our guide, you will have the knowledge and tools you need to succeed in website analytics.

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A URL is composed of various components that must be correctly assembled to form a functional final URL.

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Protocol or scheme:
This element determines how the connection to the website should be established. The most common examples are http and https, although other protocols such as ftp, sftp, mailto, etc., can also be utilized. The separator :// may vary depending on the protocol.

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Host:
This refers to the website's host, typically encompassing the domain and subdomain. For instance, www.example.com.

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Path:
The path denotes the specific location or page of the website being accessed. For example, /best-shoes

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Query string:
The query string is the portion following the "?" but preceding the "#". It is an optional value passed to the website. For instance, utm_campaign=sale&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.

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Fragment:
The fragment consists of the portion following the "#" symbol, including the symbol itself. It is always positioned at the end of the URL. The fragment is intended to be handled by the browser after the webpage loads.

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Query parameters:
A query string can include one or more query parameters. Each parameter consists of a name and a corresponding value. Multiple parameters are separated by "&" if there are more than one.

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