What Does 'Google Others' Mean?
Traffic labeled as "Google Others" means that the click originated from a paid Google campaign, but there is insufficient identifying information to determine the specific type of campaign. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including missing or incomplete tracking parameters in the campaign URLs.
Why Can't Spider AF Identify the Source?
The issue stems from missing or inconsistent tracking parameters in the campaign URLs. When setting up a Google Ads campaign, tracking templates play a crucial role in ensuring that all relevant data is passed along with the click, including the specific campaign type (e.g., Google Search or Google Display).
Without these parameters, our system cannot accurately categorize the traffic, leading to the classification as "Google Others."
Common Issues:
Based on our experience, here are some of the most common issues we’ve found when tracking Google Ads:
Missing or Inconsistent UTM Parameters: Some URLs lack standard UTM parameters (like utm_source, utm_medium, and utm_campaign) or have inconsistent formats, making it difficult to accurately track the source.
Custom Parameter Use: Non-standard parameters (e.g., saf_src, saf_pt, saf_cam) may not be compatible with all tracking systems, leading to incomplete or incorrect source identification.
Tracking Template Configuration: Misconfigured tracking templates in Google Ads, or missing essential parameters, can prevent the correct identification of campaigns in external tracking systems.
Redirects and Complex URLs: URLs with multiple redirects or complex structures may lose or alter tracking parameters, causing issues with source identification.
GCLID Parsing: If the gclid (Google Click Identifier) is not parsed or mapped correctly, it can lead to misclassification of the campaign source.
How can you improve the accuracy of Google Campaign Type attribution in Spider AF?
To improve the accuracy of Google Campaign Type attribution in Spider AF, please update the tracking template in your Google Ads account or you can manually set the "Tracking Template Auto-Update" feature within our dashboard. To do so:
Go to Configurations > Ad Networks > Google Ads.
Enable the "Tracking Template Auto-Update" option.
This will automatically update the tracking template for all campaigns in your Google Ads account, ensuring that it’s always set up correctly without manual input.
Conclusion:
Accurate tracking is essential to getting the most out of your anti-fraud protection. By updating your Google Ads tracking template, you'll help Spider AF better identify your campaign sources, ensuring you get the most precise analysis and protection for your paid click data.
If you need assistance with updating your tracking templates or have any questions, feel free to contact our support team!