> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dialogshift.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Tracking with URL Parameters

> Track chatbot traffic in booking engines and Google Analytics

DialogShift marks redirected traffic to track bookings from the chatbot in your booking engine and analytics.

<Warning>
  **Important Note (May 2024):** Google has changed the evaluation of UTM parameters. Reliable e-commerce tracking via chatbot UTM parameters is no longer possible. Use the `ref` parameter instead.
</Warning>

## Tracking Methods

### 1. URL Parameter

DialogShift automatically adds the following parameter:

```
&ref=dialogshift
```

### 2. Referrer Domain

As an alternative, the referrer domain can be used:

* Domain: `dialogshift.com`
* Limitation: Qualitative compromises possible

## Booking Engine Statistics

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open statistics">
    Open the statistics of your Web Booking Engine (WBE)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check traffic source">
    Look for breakdown by traffic source
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify chatbot traffic">
    Filter by `ref=dialogshift` or referrer `dialogshift.com`
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Available Metrics

<CardGroup cols={4}>
  <Card title="Nights" icon="bed">
    Booked overnight stays
  </Card>

  <Card title="Revenue" icon="euro-sign">
    Generated income
  </Card>

  <Card title="Conversion" icon="chart-line">
    Booking rate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Source" icon="location-dot">
    Traffic source
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Google Analytics Integration

### Create Custom Report

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Universal Analytics">
    1. Create a Custom Report
    2. Filter e-commerce revenue
    3. Condition: URL contains `ref=dialogshift`
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="GA4">
    1. Open Explorative Data Analysis
    2. Create a filter for Page Path
    3. Condition: contains `ref=dialogshift`
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Note>
  The exact implementation depends on your e-commerce tracking setup. Speak with your analytics service provider.
</Note>

## Channel Limitations

<Info>
  For technical reasons, URL parameter tracking does not work with:

  * Instagram
  * Facebook Messenger
  * Google's Business Messages
  * WhatsApp

  Use the tracking pixel for these channels for indicative numbers.
</Info>

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Contact WBE provider">
    Speak with your booking engine provider about integrating the `ref=dialogshift` parameter into their statistics.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Combined tracking">
    Use both URL parameters and tracking pixel for maximum coverage.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Regular review">
    Check monthly that tracking is working correctly.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>