IP-RED-003: Redirect drops tracking parameters
What it checks
Whether a redirect on your site removes tracking parameters such as utm_*, gclid, fbclid or _gl on the way to the target URL.
Why it matters
When a redirect drops gclid or _gl, visits from paid campaigns and cross-domain journeys can no longer be attributed. Rankings aren’t affected; reporting is.
How IndexPlane detects it
IndexPlane requests each redirect source with a test set of tracking parameters and records which survive every hop. A redirect is affected when any parameter from the default list is missing at the final URL.
How to fix
- Open IndexPlane → Redirects and click the affected rule.
- Set Query parameters to Pass, or turn on Keep tracking parameters.
- Click Save, then Test.
wp indexplane redirect update 42 --query=pass
wp indexplane redirect test "/old/?gclid=test"Ask: “Test redirect 42 with a gclid and show which parameters survive.” Changing the rule needs Prepare (Pro).
| Provider | Notes |
|---|---|
| Native (IndexPlane) | Tracking parameters are kept by default. |
| Redirection plugin | Edit the rule there, or move it into IndexPlane. |
| Yoast SEO Premium, Rank Math | Edit the rule in that plugin, or import it into IndexPlane. |
False positives
Redirects to external sites that strip parameters by design. Mark the finding as expected; it stays pinned to rule version 2.
Change history
- v2 (0.4): also checks
_gl. - v1 (0.2): initial rule.