Build Google Analytics campaign URLs with UTM parameters, review their syntax, and optionally create a short link or QR code. URL shortening sends the destination URL to an external provider.
Converts UTM values to lowercase for consistent naming. GA4 default channel definitions are not case-sensitive.
summer-sale-2025
Prepends secure HTTPS protocol if missing from the destination URL.
Removes conflicting utm_* parameters already present in pasted target links.
Real-time normalized URL with syntax highlighting & validation.
High-resolution vector SVG and PNG for print & outdoor media.
A Google Analytics campaign URL builder adds UTM parameters (utm_source, utm_medium, utm_campaign and optional fields) to a landing page URL so GA4 can report which campaign sent each visit. Google publishes its own free campaign URL builder; UTMCraft is an independent alternative that builds the same standard GA4 parameters and adds checks, QR codes and bulk generation. UTMCraft is not affiliated with Google.
For over a decade, digital marketers relied on Google's standard DevSite Campaign URL Builder. While functional for single links, it was built in the Universal Analytics era and lacks the intelligence required for modern Google Analytics 4 (GA4) attribution pipelines. Below is a feature-by-feature comparison:
| Feature / Capability | Google Classic URL Builder | UTMCraft Studio |
|---|---|---|
| URL handling | Depends on the service | URL fields are processed in your browser; optional shortening sends the destination URL to an external provider |
| URL checks | Varies by tool | Syntax, selected fields, naming consistency, and limited source/medium patterns |
| Automatic Casing Sanitizer | Manual (leads to fractured reporting) | Auto-Lowercase & Hyphen Normalization |
| Link Shortening | Disabled (bit.ly integration deprecated) | Built-in 1-Click Shortener with Fallbacks |
| Vector QR Code Generation | Not available | Instant High-Contrast SVG & PNG Export |
| Multi-Channel Bulk Matrix | Not available (requires external spreadsheets) | Built-in Multi-Channel Matrix & CSV Export |
| Ad Platform Dynamic Macros | Manual typing required | 1-Click Meta & Google ValueTrack Tokens |
GA4 applies its current Default Channel Group definitions to available traffic-source information. A custom medium may not match a default channel on its own, but classification depends on the applicable rule and other available values. If a session is Unassigned, inspect the source, medium, campaign, platform, and collected data before drawing a conclusion.
GA4 supports 9 manual campaign parameters: six commonly used/core parameters plus three additional GA4 parameters. Some newer parameters currently have reporting limitations. Google documents the traditional manual parameters plus utm_source_platform, utm_creative_format, and utm_marketing_tactic; Google also separately documents and recommends utm_id. Google notes that utm_creative_format and utm_marketing_tactic are not currently reported in GA4 properties.
Below are the six core parameters commonly used in URL builders, followed by GA4's three additional campaign parameters:
| Parameter | Classification | Required | GA4 Dimension | Primary Use Case & Reporting Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
utm_source |
Core Parameter | Yes | Session source / First user source | Identifies the referrer or platform driving the user. Reported in all standard reports. |
utm_medium |
Core Parameter | Recommended | Session medium / First user medium | Determines the marketing channel grouping in GA4. Required for channel grouping. |
utm_campaign |
Core Parameter | Recommended | Session campaign / First user campaign | Names the specific product initiative, promotion, or theme. Reported in all standard reports. |
utm_id |
Core Parameter | Recommended | Campaign ID / Session campaign ID | Recommended by Google to match and upload offline cost data via GA4 Data Import. |
utm_term |
Core Parameter | Optional | Session manual ad term | Tracks paid search keywords or specific audience segment targeting. |
utm_content |
Core Parameter | Optional | Session manual ad content | Differentiates creative variants, banner sizes, or copy variations for A/B testing. |
utm_source_platform |
Additional GA4 Parameter | Optional | Manual source platform | Identifies the sending platform interface (e.g. Search Ads 360, Google Ads). Available in reports & BigQuery. |
utm_creative_format |
Additional GA4 Parameter | Optional | Manual creative format | Identifies creative type (video, carousel). Reporting limitation: Google notes this is not currently reported in GA4 properties. |
utm_marketing_tactic |
Additional GA4 Parameter | Optional | Manual marketing tactic | Targeting strategy (prospecting, remarketing). Reporting limitation: Google notes this is not currently reported in GA4 properties. |
medium=paid_social; for Google Ads Search, use medium=cpc.brand-awareness-na-2025 instead of Brand Awareness (NA) 2025.utm_content=static_infographic vs utm_content=short_video.Core URL generation and auditing run in your browser without storing campaign inputs in a UTMCraft account or database. If you choose the optional shortener, the generated URL is sent to a public shortening provider. The tool also adds GA4 channel scoring, QR export, bulk generation, and lowercase sanitization.
A destination URL and campaign parameters provide information for analytics reporting. Missing utm_source or utm_medium can limit channel classification, but GA4 may use other available traffic-source information. It assigns (Unassigned) when no applicable Default Channel Group definition matches.
No. utm_id complements utm_campaign by providing an alphanumeric identifier that matches campaign IDs across ad platforms (such as Google Ads or Meta Ads Manager). It is especially valuable when importing external cost or revenue data into GA4.
Campaign UTMs should not be used on internal navigation. GA4 does not start a new session when new campaign values appear, but it can associate those values with mid-session events and distort event-scoped attribution. Use internal-promotion events instead.
A redirect may preserve or drop query parameters depending on its rule and server configuration. Inspect the redirect chain and final URL. QSA is an Apache mod_rewrite flag, not a universal query-string setting; other servers use different configuration.