IP-RED-003: Redirect drops tracking parameters

Rule ID
IP-RED-003
Version
2
Family
RED
Severity
high
Evidence type
observed
Score category
Redirects
Weight
5

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

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.
ProviderNotes
Native (IndexPlane)Tracking parameters are kept by default.
Redirection pluginEdit the rule there, or move it into IndexPlane.
Yoast SEO Premium, Rank MathEdit 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.

FIVE MINUTES

Install it next to the SEO plugin you already use.

Create one restore point. If nothing ever breaks, you've lost five minutes.