At TrackBee, we aim to provide you with clear insights into your performance by tracking data and returning it to advertising platforms. One of the key metrics we display in our overview is the Source (last touch), which shows the origin of each order based on the last interaction a customer had before making a purchase. However, understanding why some orders have a Click-ID while others do not can sometimes be confusing. This article will explain the difference between orders with and without a Click-ID.
What is a Click-ID?
A Click-ID is a unique identifier only generated when a visitor clicks on one of your paid advertisements and lands on your website. This identifier allows us to track the specific ad interaction that led to an order, providing precise attribution for your marketing efforts.
Examples of Click-IDs per platform
Click on a dropdown below to view an example of a Click-ID.
Facebook
• Facebook (fbc)
fb.1.1724889649443.IwY2xjawE8mYBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRuhxI8o7TeWmEjlARcvptDe2kXYJcUHMfhfoTX0GZjEmVmO6gMEPcJS1Q_aem_j8aP7gNvhQ2NRiWbO2zK2Q
TikTok
TikTok
• TikTok (ttclid)
E_C_P_CtIBiI-A6nKqU3nOXyXiw1PfwWKF5TFRQfue0LkZW6Hd0DlOzHqrmzMpqoZ2eqexoKltp1Jh-n5kFnuAY0d19E_KqB3IX96LpGLgncoeQL4BW7rrA-mhYnKNUrY92veR1IkXV7pLyl3r3xCQC0R1AbF3_GlhjKmVmzemvb_xrFiSJfdZcDHZYx7iwhY1i5F5cxTj9UYMjEV_dOxpMfvI5rRZ6C6aI9_Ldm0aeqdW1UgJpBu-iki8vT7Jxrh9r-Qmltbz0XQue8LahoF24dvypjOl7BNhEgR2Mi4wGiAaDBGhv6ST6v_KTW03i7M7rgIxEfFO1G2HZ64jUJNiWA
Pinterest
• Pinterest (epik)
dj0yJnU9WUxQZFJzMW0xWk16RGZVVnpuRXltSUFZQ01Bd1VBcG8mcD0xJm49dmlraElJd1QxTWlFeUZmY3RiNDVXZyZ0PUFBQUFBR2JRaTlB
Google
Google differs from the other platforms, by having three variants for the click ID. One order could contain just one, but also multiple of these variants.
• Google (gclid)
gclid=CjwKCAjwxY-3BhAuEiwAu7Y6s25F24yU-kGtG0fcbkSBpLFIVfbZ4Lso3bYw5IaXkPduhJNMJdJKOxoCi78QAvD_BwE
• Google (gbraid)
0AAAAA98nAL33Ny_fNPAg_MEZpgy7vWKPh
• Google (wbraid)
ClMKCAjwuMC2BhAnEkMAEWrwA4lutENdojoVYK-w3C1KD3En6gAcohmA8hM4sMWpNtIl0_946xySMvqIornAzzRRfAXviZXcDLEYbuq5XApDGgLP4Q
When does an order get a Click-ID?
• Direct Ad Clicks: When a customer clicks on your advertisement this generates a Click_id, this then allows us to see which platform the customer last interacted with.
When does an order not get a Click-ID
• Indirect Interactions: Customers may see your ad but not click on it. Instead, they might visit your website later by searching for your brand or typing your URL directly.
• Organic interactions: In these cases, since there is no Click-ID, the order is attributed to an organic source or the last known click before the purchase.
• Multiple Touchpoints: Customers often interact with multiple channels before making a decision. A lack of Click-ID doesn’t mean your ads had no influence; it just wasn’t the last click before the purchase.
• IOS visitors: Some visitors on IOS get their Click-ID removed. This is because Apple uses extra privacy features since ios 14, that strip personal data (such as click id's) from URL's. This is good for user privacy, but bad for advertisement tracking.
Understanding the Last-Click Principle
• Last-Click Model: This attribution model assigns 100% credit to the last click before the conversion. It’s a straightforward method but doesn’t account for the entire customer journey.
How Platforms Attribute Orders Without a Click-ID
Even without a Click-ID, platforms like TikTok, Pinterest, and Meta can still attribute orders to your paid campaigns:
• Data Enrichment: We forward enriched data back to these platforms, including purchase details and customer information (in compliance with privacy regulations).
• Platform Algorithms: These platforms use their algorithms to match the data with user interactions on their ads, attributing the order to the appropriate campaign.
• Cross-Device Tracking: Advanced tracking methods allow platforms to recognize customers across different devices and sessions, improving attribution accuracy.
Conclusion
Understanding the presence or absence of a Click-ID is crucial for interpreting your sales data accurately. While Click-IDs provide precise attribution for direct ad clicks, orders without them highlight the importance of considering the entire customer journey. By recognizing that multiple touchpoints influence purchasing decisions, you can develop more effective marketing strategies. Rest assured, platforms like TikTok, Pinterest, and Meta are equipped to attribute orders to your paid campaigns even without a Click-ID, ensuring you receive credit for your marketing efforts.
Need Further Assistance?
If you have any questions or need help interpreting your data, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team. We’re here to help you make the most of TrackBee’s tracking solutions.