Can I add custom parameters to my links?

Yes, you can absolutely add your own parameters for traceability in Linkbreakers! The system is designed to preserve and chain query parameters through every step of the redirection process, from the initial click to the final destination. This comprehensive guide explains how query parameters work in Linkbreakers and how you can leverage them for advanced tracking and analytics.

How query parameters flow through Linkbreakers

1. Initial parameter capture

When a user clicks on a Linkbreakers short link with query parameters, the system captures them immediately:

https://linkbreak.ing/abc123?utm_source=email&campaign_id=summer2024&custom_param=value

The system extracts all query parameters and preserves them throughout the entire flow.

2. Parameter preservation through workflow steps

Linkbreakers supports interactive workflow steps (password protection, forms, etc.). Query parameters are maintained through each step:

• Password steps: Parameters are preserved while users enter passwords
• Form steps: Custom parameters remain intact during form submissions
• Redirect steps: All parameters flow to the final destination

3. Final destination application

At the final redirection, your custom parameters are appended to the destination URL alongside any conversion tracking parameters. The system safely merges your custom parameters with the destination URL without conflicts.

Custom traceability examples

UTM parameter tracking

https://linkbreak.ing/abc123?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=q4_promo

These parameters will be preserved and passed to your final destination for Google Analytics tracking.

Custom campaign tracking

https://linkbreak.ing/abc123?campaign_id=SUMMER24&user_segment=premium&ab_test=variant_b

Perfect for tracking custom campaigns, user segments, or A/B testing variants.

Affiliate/partner tracking

https://linkbreak.ing/abc123?affiliate_id=partner123&commission_tier=gold&ref_source=blog

Ideal for affiliate marketing and partner attribution.

Advanced features

Conversion tracking with LBID

Linkbreakers automatically adds an lbid (Linkbreakers ID) parameter when conversion tracking is enabled:

https://yourdestination.com?utm_source=email&lbid=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9...

The lbid is a base64-encoded UUID that uniquely identifies the click event, allowing you to:

• Track conversions back to specific Linkbreakers clicks
• Measure funnel performance
• Attribute downstream actions to original campaigns

Parameter filtering

The system intelligently handles the lbid parameter:

• Added: When conversion tracking is enabled
• Stripped: When conversion tracking is disabled
• Preserved: Your custom parameters are never affected

Analytics and event tracking

Every click creates an event record that captures:

• Original query parameters
• Final destination URL (with parameters)
• Timestamp and user information
• Device and visitor tracking

This data is available for comprehensive analytics through the Linkbreakers dashboard.

Practical use cases

E-commerce attribution

Track product recommendations, affiliate referrals, and campaign performance:

https://linkbreak.ing/product123?ref=affiliate_bob&campaign=flash_sale&discount=20OFF

When customers click this link, they'll arrive at your product page with all parameters intact, allowing you to:

• Credit the affiliate for the referral
• Track flash sale effectiveness
• Apply the discount code automatically

Content marketing

Measure content performance across different channels:

https://linkbreak.ing/article456?content_type=blog&author=jane&topic=tech_trends

Track which authors and topics drive the most engagement across social media, email newsletters, and other channels.

Email marketing

Track email campaign effectiveness with detailed segmentation:

https://linkbreak.ing/signup789?email_campaign=welcome_series&subscriber_tier=premium&send_date=2024-01-15

Measure conversion rates by subscriber tier, campaign type, and send timing.

Multi-channel attribution

Create comprehensive tracking across all marketing touchpoints:

https://linkbreak.ing/landing123?channel=social&platform=linkedin&post_type=sponsored&audience=c_suite

Frequently asked questions

Do query parameters slow down redirection?

No, query parameter processing is optimized and adds negligible latency to redirections.

Is there a limit to how many parameters I can add?

While there's no hard limit, keep URLs under 2000 characters for best browser compatibility.

Can I use special characters in parameter values?

Yes, but ensure they're properly URL-encoded (for example, spaces become %20).

Do parameters work with password-protected links?

Absolutely! Parameters are preserved through all workflow steps, including password protection.

What happens if my destination URL already has the same parameter?

The system intelligently merges parameters, with your custom parameters taking precedence.

Can I track parameters in the Linkbreakers analytics?

Yes, all parameters are captured in event data and available through the analytics dashboard.

Do parameters work with QR codes?

Yes! QR codes generated by Linkbreakers include all query parameters in the encoded URL.

How do I handle duplicate parameter names?

The system uses the last value provided when duplicate parameter names exist.

Can I modify parameters after creating a link?

Parameters are applied when the link is clicked, so you can create multiple versions of the same link with different parameters.

Is there any performance impact on my destination site?

No impact from Linkbreakers, your site receives the same parameters as if users visited directly with those parameters.

Conclusion

Linkbreakers provides robust query parameter traceability that preserves your custom tracking parameters throughout the entire user journey. Whether you're tracking UTM parameters for Google Analytics, custom campaign identifiers, or affiliate attribution data, the system ensures your parameters reach the final destination intact.

The combination of parameter preservation, conversion tracking with lbid, and event analytics makes Linkbreakers a powerful platform for advanced link tracking and attribution analysis.

Start adding your custom parameters today and unlock deeper insights into your link performance and user journey analytics!