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Create UTM Template

Learn how to create reusable UTM templates to streamline your link creation process.

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Overview

Creating UTM templates allows you to save frequently-used parameter combinations and apply them instantly when creating new links. This guide walks you through the process step-by-step.

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Before You Start

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Plan Your Template

Consider:
  • Purpose: What type of campaign is this for?
  • Channel: Which marketing channel (email, social, paid search)?
  • Fixed Parameters: Which parameters stay the same?
  • Variable Parameters: Which parameters change per link?
  • Audience: Who will use this template?

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Gather Information

Have ready:
  • Campaign naming convention
  • Standard parameter values
  • Any custom parameters needed
  • Template description/notes

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Creating a Template: Step-by-Step

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Step 1: Navigate to Templates

  1. Log into your linkutm dashboard
  2. Click Templates in the sidebar
  3. Click Create Template or + New Template button

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Step 2: Name Your Template

Template Name:
  • Enter a clear, descriptive name
  • Include channel and purpose
  • Make it easy to identify
Examples:
  • ✅ “Email Newsletter - Weekly”
  • ✅ “Facebook Ads - Lead Generation”
  • ✅ “Google Ads - Brand Search”
  • ❌ “Template 1” (too vague)
Best Practices:
  • Use consistent naming format
  • Include enough context
  • Keep it concise (50 characters or less)
What to Include:
  • When to use this template
  • What variable fields need
  • Example use cases
  • Any special instructions
Example Description: 
Use for weekly email newsletters to subscribers.
- utm_campaign: Include week number (e.g., week_23_2024)
- utm_content: Specify featured article or CTA
Perfect for: Regular newsletter sends

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Step 4: Configure UTM Parameters

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utm_source (Required)

What it represents: The platform sending the traffic Examples by Channel:
  • Email: newsletter, promotional_email
  • Social: facebook, instagram, linkedin, twitter
  • Paid Search: google, bing
  • Organic: google_organic
  • Referral: partner_name, affiliate_name
For Templates:
  • Use specific value if always the same
  • Example: Email template always uses newsletter
  • Or leave variable if changes (e.g., multi-platform template)

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utm_medium (Required)

What it represents: The marketing channel type Common Values:
  • email - Email campaigns
  • social - Organic social media
  • cpc - Paid advertising (cost-per-click)
  • display - Display advertising
  • referral - Referral traffic
  • organic - Organic search
  • affiliate - Affiliate marketing
  • print - Print advertising
  • qr - QR code campaigns
For Templates:
  • Usually fixed for channel-specific templates
  • Example: “Email Newsletter Template” always uses email

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utm_campaign (Required)

What it represents: Specific campaign or promotion name Strategies for Templates: Option 1: Leave Variable 
Template: Facebook Ads - General
utm_campaign: [To be filled per campaign]

Use case: Different campaigns on same channel
Option 2: Include Pattern 
Template: Weekly Email Newsletter
utm_campaign: newsletter_week_[number]_2024

Use case: Recurring campaigns with consistent naming
Option 3: Fixed Value 
Template: Product Launch 2024
utm_campaign: product_launch_q2_2024

Use case: Large campaign with multiple links

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utm_term (Optional)

What it represents: Paid search keywords or audience targeting When to Include:
  • Paid search templates
  • Audience-segmented campaigns
  • A/B testing variations
Examples:
  • Keywords: running_shoes, blue_widgets
  • Audiences: lookalike_audience, retargeting_cart
  • Segments: cold_traffic, warm_leads
For Templates:
  • Leave blank if not applicable
  • Include default value if always used
  • Add note in description if variable

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utm_content (Optional)

What it represents: Differentiates similar content/links When to Include:
  • A/B testing ads or emails
  • Multiple CTAs in same campaign
  • Different ad placements
  • Creative variations
Examples:
  • headline_a, headline_b
  • blue_button, red_button
  • header_cta, footer_cta
  • image_ad, video_ad
For Templates:
  • Leave blank for general use
  • Include if always applicable
  • Add examples in description

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Step 5: Add Custom Parameters (Optional)

Why Add Custom Parameters:
  • Internal campaign IDs
  • Specific audience information
  • Additional tracking needs
  • Integration requirements
Common Custom Parameters: 
campaign_id: Internal campaign identifier
audience: Target audience segment
ad_id: Specific ad identifier
creative: Creative type or version
placement: Ad placement location
device: Device targeting
offer: Specific offer or promotion
Adding Custom Parameters:
  1. Click Add Custom Parameter
  2. Enter parameter name (no spaces, use underscores)
  3. Enter default value (or leave for variable)
  4. Add multiple as needed

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Step 6: Set Default Folder (Optional)

Assign a default folder where links from this template will be created:
  • Select from existing folders
  • Links automatically organized
  • Can be overridden during link creation
When Useful:
  • Channel-specific folders
  • Client-specific folders (for agencies)
  • Campaign-based organization

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Step 7: Assign Default Tags (Optional)

Add default tags that will be applied to links created from this template:
  • Select tag colors
  • Multiple tags supported
  • Automatic categorization
Example: 
Template: Facebook Ads - Lead Gen
Default Tags: 🔵 Blue (Social Media), 🟢 Green (Active)

Result: All links auto-tagged
Learn more about tags →

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Step 8: Add Template Notes (Optional)

Internal Notes for Your Team:
  • Usage guidelines
  • Tips and best practices
  • Change log
  • Contact for questions
Example Notes: 
Created: May 2024
Owner: Marketing Team
Best for: Weekly promotional emails
Update utm_campaign with week number
Use utm_content to specify featured product
Questions? Contact [email protected]

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Step 9: Review and Save

Final Checklist:
  • ✅ Template name is clear and descriptive
  • ✅ Required parameters (source, medium, campaign) filled appropriately
  • ✅ Optional parameters configured as needed
  • ✅ Custom parameters added if necessary
  • ✅ Description explains when/how to use
  • ✅ Default folder assigned (if desired)
  • ✅ Default tags selected (if applicable)
Save Your Template:
  1. Click Save Template or Create
  2. Template appears in your templates list
  3. Ready to use immediately

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After Creating Your Template

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Test the Template

  1. Create a test link using your new template
  2. Verify all parameters fill correctly
  3. Check if defaults are appropriate
  4. Ensure variable fields are clear

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Share with Team

  1. Inform team of new template availability
  2. Provide usage guidelines
  3. Explain when to use
  4. Gather feedback

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Document Usage

Add to your team documentation:
  • Template purpose
  • When to use
  • Example links
  • Best practices

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Template Examples

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Example 1: Email Newsletter Template

Template Name: Email Newsletter - Weekly Digest

UTM Parameters:
- utm_source: newsletter
- utm_medium: email
- utm_campaign: [Variable - enter week_XX_2024]
- utm_content: [Variable - enter featured_article_topic]

Description:
Use for all weekly email newsletters sent to subscribers.
Campaign format: week_23_2024, week_24_2024, etc.
Content: Specify main featured content.

Default Folder: Email Campaigns
Default Tags: 🟡 Yellow (Email)

Notes:
- Send every Monday at 9 AM
- Track featured article clicks
- Update campaign with week number

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Example 2: Facebook Ads - Lead Generation Template

Template Name: Facebook Ads - Lead Gen

UTM Parameters:
- utm_source: facebook
- utm_medium: cpc
- utm_campaign: [Variable - enter campaign_name]
- utm_term: [Variable - enter audience_segment]
- utm_content: [Variable - enter ad_creative_type]

Custom Parameters:
- ad_id: [Variable]
- audience: [Variable]

Description:
For all Facebook lead generation ad campaigns.
Use utm_term for audience (e.g., lookalike, retargeting).
Use utm_content for creative type (e.g., video, carousel).

Default Folder: Social Media Ads > Facebook
Default Tags: 🔵 Blue (Facebook), 🟢 Green (Active)

Notes:
- Add Facebook Ad ID in custom parameter
- Track audience performance in utm_term
- Update creative variations in utm_content

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Example 3: Google Ads - Brand Search Template

Template Name: Google Ads - Brand Keywords

UTM Parameters:
- utm_source: google
- utm_medium: cpc
- utm_campaign: brand_search
- utm_term: [Variable - enter keyword]
- utm_content: [Variable - enter ad_variation]

Custom Parameters:
- campaign_id: [Variable - Google Ads campaign ID]

Description:
Use for all Google Ads brand keyword campaigns.
utm_term: Specific brand keyword triggering ad
utm_content: Ad headline/description variation

Default Folder: Paid Search > Google Ads
Default Tags: 🔴 Red (Paid), 🟢 Green (Active)

Notes:
- Brand keywords only (competitor keywords use different template)
- Match type doesn't need to be in UTM
- Track in Google Ads campaign_id for reconciliation

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Example 4: Product Launch - Multi-Channel Template

Template Name: Q2 Product Launch 2024

UTM Parameters:
- utm_source: [Variable - enter channel]
- utm_medium: [Variable - enter medium]
- utm_campaign: product_launch_q2_2024
- utm_content: [Variable - enter placement]

Custom Parameters:
- product: new_widget_pro
- launch_phase: pre_launch / launch / post_launch

Description:
Use for all Q2 2024 product launch marketing across channels.
Campaign is fixed: product_launch_q2_2024
Update source and medium per channel.
Track launch phase in custom parameter.

Default Folder: Product Launches > Q2 2024
Default Tags: 🟣 Purple (Product Launch), 🔴 Red (High Priority)

Notes:
- All launch-related links use this template
- Ensures consistent campaign tracking
- Update launch_phase as campaign progresses

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Example 5: Partner Referral Template

Template Name: Partner Referrals

UTM Parameters:
- utm_source: partner_[partner_name]
- utm_medium: referral
- utm_campaign: partnership_2024
- utm_content: [Variable - enter placement]

Custom Parameters:
- partner_id: [Partner internal ID]
- commission_tier: [A/B/C]

Description:
Use for all partner referral links.
Replace [partner_name] with actual partner name.
Track partner ID for commission attribution.

Default Folder: Partner Marketing
Default Tags: 🟤 Brown (Partner)

Notes:
- One template per partner or use variable
- Commission tier for internal tracking
- Reconcile with partner_id for payments

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Advanced Template Features

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Template Inheritance (If Available)

Create template hierarchies: 
Parent Template: Social Media Base
- utm_medium: social

Child Template: Facebook Social
- Inherits: utm_medium: social
- Adds: utm_source: facebook

Child Template: LinkedIn Social
- Inherits: utm_medium: social
- Adds: utm_source: linkedin

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Conditional Parameters (If Available)

Set parameters based on conditions: 
If utm_medium = email:
  Then utm_source = newsletter
If utm_medium = cpc:
  Then require utm_term

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Template Variables with Prompts (If Available)

Create prompts when using template: 
Template: Webinar Campaign
On use, prompt for:
- Webinar Topic: [text input]
- Webinar Date: [date picker]
- Target Audience: [dropdown]

Automatically fills:
- utm_campaign: webinar_[topic]_[date]
- utm_term: [audience]

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Best Practices

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Template Naming

DO:
  • ✅ Include channel in name
  • ✅ Specify purpose clearly
  • ✅ Use consistent format
  • ✅ Keep concise but descriptive
DON’T:
  • ❌ Use generic names
  • ❌ Use abbreviations only
  • ❌ Forget context
  • ❌ Make too long (over 60 chars)

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Parameter Strategy

DO:
  • ✅ Fix parameters that never change
  • ✅ Document variable parameters
  • ✅ Use consistent values
  • ✅ Follow your naming conventions
DON’T:
  • ❌ Leave all parameters variable
  • ❌ Use inconsistent formatting
  • ❌ Forget to document usage
  • ❌ Over-complicate with too many parameters

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Description Writing

DO:
  • ✅ Explain when to use
  • ✅ List variable fields
  • ✅ Provide examples
  • ✅ Include special instructions
DON’T:
  • ❌ Leave description blank
  • ❌ Be too vague
  • ❌ Assume knowledge
  • ❌ Forget to update when template changes

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Template Maintenance

DO:
  • ✅ Review quarterly
  • ✅ Update as needed
  • ✅ Archive outdated templates
  • ✅ Gather team feedback
DON’T:
  • ❌ Create and forget
  • ❌ Let templates become stale
  • ❌ Ignore usage data
  • ❌ Skip documentation

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Troubleshooting

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Template Not Appearing in List

Possible Issues:
  • Not saved properly
  • Filter applied
  • Wrong project/workspace
  • Permissions issue
Solutions:
  • Check save confirmation
  • Clear any filters
  • Verify correct workspace
  • Check user permissions

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Parameters Not Auto-Filling

Possible Issues:
  • Template not fully configured
  • Browser cache issue
  • System bug
Solutions:
  • Edit template, verify all fields saved
  • Refresh browser
  • Try different browser
  • Contact support

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Team Can’t See Template

Possible Issues:
  • Permission settings
  • Not shared with team
  • Wrong workspace
Solutions:
  • Check sharing settings
  • Verify template is project-level
  • Ensure team members in correct workspace

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Need Help?

For questions about creating UTM templates, contact our support team or explore our comprehensive guides.