Manage Tracking URLs

Here's How to Manage Track URLs in Bionic for Agencies.

No matter what platform you use, you can set up Bionic to automatically generate your custom tracking URLs. Not only that, you can create Tracking Patterns for individual Advertisers, keeping you in-line with the numerous variations between clients.

In this article, we'll cover:

1. Access Tracking URLs
2. Create a Custom Pattern
3. Use Custom Columns and Code Values
4. Edit a Pattern
5. Deactivate/Delete a Pattern
   
   

Access Tracking URLs

Tracking URLs can be found in the Administration area of Bionic. You do not need Admin access to make changes for Tracking URLs. Here is how to access/manage your Tracking URLs:

1. Click on Your Company Name in the upper right corner.
2. Click on Administration.
3. Click on the Tracking URL tab.

Create a Custom Pattern

Here is how to create a new custom pattern:

1. Click the Add New Pattern button.
2. Enter a Pattern Name to help you distinguish this pattern from others.
3. Choose what Advertiser this pattern will be available to or Select All Advertisers to make it available to all.
4. Identify the Delimiter (i.e. '_' underscore and '|' pipe) that should be used between values.
5. Select a Modifier if needed.
6. Enter your Parameters. The parameters will define which keys and associated values to use.
   1. Key - Identify the key name you wish to include. You can select from the standard Google Analytics Keys provided in the menu or enter your own name such as CID.
   2. Value - The parameter value can include a prefix and one or more field values. 

      Values will be separated with the Delimiter identified.

      1. Prefix - Enter any prefix you wish to use.
      2. Field - Select one a field from the drop down menu. This list will include both standard media plan columns as well as Custom Columns you have set up in Bionic. You can also use Codes, explained below.
      3. Format - Use Format for Date Fields. Common date formats include: 'DDMMYY', 'DDMMYYYY', 'YYYY', and 'MM'. This will take the Date Field selected and use the defined format.
      4. Click the  to add more values for this key.
7. Press Add Parameter link to add more Parameters.
8. Click Add Pattern.

Use Custom Columns and Code Values

Custom columns are helpful when you need to include information in your plan that isn't part of the standard media plan structure. You can include these values in your Tracking URLs. Instructions for setting up Custom Columns can be found here: Manage Custom Fields.

In some cases, the values you want to include may be coded or abbreviated. Picklist custom columns enable you to include friendly name values that you select in your media plan while tying them to a "code". These Codes can be used when setting up your Tracking URLs.

Here is an example of using a custom column and code value:

When setting up your Tracking URL, instead of selecting the regular custom field name, you will use the (code) version of the field. In this example, the custom field name of Tactic (code) instead of Tactic is being selected. When it generates the URL, it will pull the Code value instead of the regular field name.

Edit a Pattern

Here is how to edit an existing custom pattern:

1. Click the Pattern Name.
2. Update Fields as appropriate.
3. Click Save Pattern.

Deactivate/Delete a Pattern

Here is how to delete or deactivate a custom pattern:

1. Click the Pattern Name.
2. Press the Deactivate or Delete button.

Next Steps

• Manage Custom Fields
• Generate Tracking URLs