---
title: "IP-RED-003: Redirect drops tracking parameters"
description: "Whether a redirect on your site removes tracking parameters such as utm_*, gclid, fbclid or _gl on the way to the target URL."
url: "https://tryindexplane.com/docs/rules/ip-red-003/"
markdown: "https://tryindexplane.com/docs/rules/ip-red-003.md"
---

# IP-RED-003: Redirect drops tracking parameters

Whether a redirect on your site removes tracking parameters such as utm_*, gclid, fbclid or _gl on the way to the target URL.

Rule reference · Free · Updated 2026-11-01

## 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

1. Open **IndexPlane → Redirects** and click the affected rule.
2. Set **Query parameters** to **Pass**, or turn on **Keep tracking parameters**.
3. Click **Save**, then **Test**.

```bash
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.