What is auto-tagging?

Auto-tagging is a Google Ads setting that automatically adds the GCLID to the landing page URL of every ad click. With that parameter, Google Ads and linked analytics tools such as GA4 can see which campaign, ad group and keyword a visit came from.

Why is auto-tagging important?

No manual work: you do not have to add parameters to every ad yourself.
More detail: Google Ads data such as keywords and costs can be shown in a linked GA4 property.
Needed for conversion import: offline conversions through the GCLID only work if the code is passed along.

Examples of auto-tagging

A click produces the URL yoursite.com/shoes?gclid=..., without you setting anything per ad.
An online store turns on auto-tagging and links Google Ads to GA4.
An agency uses auto-tagging and UTM parameters together, so other analytics tools also recognize the source.

How do you use auto-tagging?

Turn the setting on in the account settings of Google Ads. Then check that the parameter appears in the URL after a click and is not lost in a redirect. Add UTM parameters where needed for other tools. Read more about measuring in analytics and dashboards.

Auto-tagging