Wordpress Plugin - UTM Parameters

[JLittle2]

Hi Y'all!

We're about to shift our whole site over to wordpress, and I'm a bit lost on the implementation.

I've been reading about adding hidden fields to collect utm parameters (for marketing attribution) but it's been unclear whether thats only with html embeds or if its also necessary when you have the hubspot plugin installed and add hubspot forms that way. Does the hubspot plugin automatically track utm parameters? Or just page views? And if we have to use hidden fields, how is that implemented with meeting links?

Also, how do utm parameters get used in hubspot? Do they inform the native source property at all, or is it entirely custom properties that we have to report on ourselves?

[Josh · Accepted solution]

Hi @JLittle2,

If a UTM parameter is already applied to a URL it will track in HubSpot, you don't have to do anything. If you want to track a URL with a UTM to get more specific on the source or campaign, you would need a UTM parameter applied.

Hidden fields can be more stable at passing values into HubSpot. There is a chance that a UTM parameter can be removed or stripped from the URL for a variety of reasons. Not common, but possible. There may also be the need to send values to HubSpot with the form submission that aren't in a UTM.

I would still apply the Meta dataset. This will allow you to track conversions on the Meta side as well, which is recommended.

Josh 

[Josh]

Hi @JLittle2,

You have a few questions here; I'll do my best to answer without getting too in the weeds.

• You do not have to have the HubSpot plugin installed for the hidden fields to work
• HubSpot doesn't automatically apply UTM codes to all URLs, but if you do have a UTM parameter on the URL, HubSpot will track it regardless of whether you created it in the HubSpot platform or elsewhere -- these codes are universal
• Unfortunately, you won't be able to utilize hidden form fields for meeting links
• You can read about how the UTM parameters will work on this page: https://knowledge.hubspot.com/settings/how-do-i-create-a-tracking-url 
  • The source field will use the source of the UTM parameter for source
  • UTMs in HubSpot will also allow you to categorize into campaigns, which is incredibly helpful for reporting
• Something else that might be helpful for your use case is using query strings to populate form fields, including hidden values
  • Here's more on that: https://knowledge.hubspot.com/forms/can-i-auto-populate-form-fields-through-a-query-string

Hope this helps!

Josh 

[JLittle2]

Thanks for the response Josh!

Based on your second bullet point, I'm understanding that to track utm parameters in hubspot, I don't have to do anything - aka its a native function. Is that accurate? If so, why is there a need for hidden fields at all?

Also - I have meta ads set up inside hubspot. Do I also need to add the meta dataset (formerly known as pixel) to GTM to ensure correct conversion tracking? Or can the hubspot integration be trusted for everything?