Will Google Track Conversions From Other Lead Sources?

Short Answer: Google will not track conversions from other lead sources unless UTM parameters are added. These UTM tags, when applied through tools like CallRail in the campaign settings, append specific tracking information to URLs. Only then can Google Ads recognize and attribute the conversions correctly.

Full Explanation

Google’s conversion tracking system relies on identifying traffic that originates from Google Ads campaigns. Without specific tracking information added to URLs, Google cannot differentiate other lead sources or identify where conversions come from. This is why UTM parameters, which are codes added to a URL, play a critical role in conversion tracking. When these parameters are present, Google Ads sees them and can trace the conversion back to its campaign source.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. You create a Google Ads campaign.
2. In the campaign settings, UTM parameters from tools like CallRail are added.
3. These UTM parameters append strings containing keywords and tracking data to the URL.
4. When someone clicks on the Google Ad, the URL carries these UTM parameters.
5. Google Ads reads the parameters and attributes any resulting conversions to the campaign.
6. If the UTM parameters are missing, Google cannot recognize the traffic or the conversion source.

Real Examples

Imagine a potential customer clicks on a Google Ad and lands on your website. If the link they click includes UTM parameters set via CallRail, Google can see the extra information after the URL. This string might include the campaign name or specific keywords related to the ad. With this data, Google tracks the customer’s journey and measures the conversion as coming from Google Ads. Without these parameters, the conversion may appear as untracked or attributed to other sources.

Common Mistakes

• Not adding UTM parameters: Without these, conversions from Google Ads may not be tracked properly.
• Incorrectly configuring UTM tags: Errors in the parameters can lead to inaccurate tracking or attribution.
• Assuming Google tracks all conversions automatically: Conversion tracking requires proper setup.

FAQs

Q: Can Google track conversions from lead sources without UTMs?
A: No, Google will not track conversions unless UTM parameters are present to identify the source.

Q: What role does CallRail play in tracking?
A: CallRail helps add UTM parameters to URLs within campaign settings to enable proper tracking.

Q: Will Google track conversions from offline lead sources?
A: Based on this context, tracking is limited to when UTMs are involved; otherwise, offline sources are not tracked automatically.

Key Takeaways

• Google Ads conversion tracking depends on UTM parameters being present in campaign URLs.
• Using tools like CallRail to add these parameters ensures accurate attribution of conversions.
• Without these parameters, Google cannot track conversions from other lead sources.