How to ignore UTM/custom tracking parameters in URL’s?

  • Hi,

    I’ve been using WP Fastest Cache for several years and appreciate its performance. However, I’ve noticed an issue with slower page loads when accessing pages through paid advertisements or Mailchimp newsletters, compared to direct or organic visits.

    Upon investigation, I discovered that this slowdown is linked to the unique tracking parameters appended to URLs through platforms like Google Ads or Facebook ads.

    For example, “https://www.webpage.com” might change to “https://www.webpage.com?tracking=1” for one user, and “https://www.webpage.com?tracking=2” for another, resulting in WP Fastest Cache generating a new cache for each unique URL, despite the actual page content remaining the same. This essentially negates the benefit of caching for users coming from paid ads, as they experience slower load times.

    Could you guide me on how to configure WP Fastest Cache to ignore specific URL parameters and instead serve the cached version of the “base” URL?

    Ideally, even when a URL like “https://www.webpage.com?tracking=1” is accessed, the cache for “https://www.webpage.com” should be used to speed up loading times, while still displaying the full URL with parameters in the address bar for analytics purposes.

    Other caching plugins, such as WP Super Cache, offer a feature to ignore custom tracking parameters in their settings, enabling the cache to serve the base URL:

    Best regards,

    Emil

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Plugin Author Emre Vona

    (@emrevona)

    did you take a look at the following tutorial?

    https://www.wpfastestcache.com/features/cache-url-with-google-analytics-parameters-querystring/

    Thread Starter EmilianoD85

    (@emildebski)

    Yes – but this is not what i am asking for.

    You are linking to an article about static/hardcoded Google Analytics parameters (utm_source, utm_medium, utm_campaign, utm_term and utm_content).

    Like i stated in the first post, i am looking for a way to add SPECIFIC CUSTOM PARAMETERS to a ignore-list, as seen in the screenshot i linked to. To add (or remove for that matter) parameters like:

    Google Ads: “gad_source“, “gclid“.
    Facebook Ads: “fb_source“, “fbclid“.
    Mailchimp: “mc_cid“, “mc_eid“.

    Other known tracking parameters:
    “ref”
    “mc_cid”
    “mc_eid”
    “utm_expid”
    “mtm_source”
    “mtm_medium”
    “mtm_campaign”
    “mtm_keyword”
    “mtm_content”
    “mtm_cid”
    “mtm_group”
    “mtm_placement”

    • This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by EmilianoD85.
    Plugin Author Emre Vona

    (@emrevona)

    if a url contains a query string, the url is not cached. may I see a sample url plesae?

    Thread Starter EmilianoD85

    (@emildebski)

    Again – that is not what i am asking for. I don’t know if it’s just me or not, but it seems i ask one thing, and you answer/link to something different.

    I am simply asking if it’s possible to add a list of custom parameters like the ones in my previous post, so that clients visiting let’s say:

    webpage.com?gad_source=123
    webpage.com?gad_source=12412
    webpage.com?gad_source=123as234
    webpage.com?gad_source=1s21334
    webpage.com?gad_source=XXXXXX
    webpage.com?gad_source=what ever value here
    Etc. etc…….

    Will all see the cached version of the page/base URL: webpage.com.

    Here is a sample URL:

    https://wordpress-317303-4527517.cloudwaysapps.com/

    • This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by EmilianoD85.
    Plugin Author Emre Vona

    (@emrevona)

    no, it is not possbile. the url contains at least 1 utm_ parameters.

    Thread Starter EmilianoD85

    (@emildebski)

    I am not sure you understand what I am asking for. Has nothing to do with “utm_” parameters.

    Anyway, i’ll need to find another cache plugin.

    Thanks.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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