What are UTM parameters used for?

UTM parameters help track the source, medium, and campaign performance of your traffic in analytics tools.

How do I add UTM parameters in bulk to Google Ads?

Use tracking templates via Google Ads Editor or automate tagging with a script.

Can I use UTM and auto-tagging together?

Yes, but avoid duplicating parameters that gclid already tracks unless necessary.

Do UTM parameters affect SEO?

No. They only affect tracking; they don’t influence search engine rankings.

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How to Bulk Add UTM Parameters to Google Ads

“Marketing without data is like driving with your eyes closed.” — Dan Zarrella

As the founder of Apexure, I’ve worked with 400+ brands and audited thousands of ad campaigns. One common issue I see? Marketers are not tracking their ad performance properly, simply because they skip UTM tagging or do it manually.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to bulk add UTM parameters to Google Ads—both manually and with automation—and how to do it the right way using a Google Ads script.

What Are UTM Parameters?

UTM (Urchin Tracking Module) parameters are tags added to URLs that help track campaign performance in analytics tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Mixpanel.

They answer questions like:

Where is my traffic coming from?
Which ad or campaign brought in the most leads?
Which device or keyword is converting?

If you’re new to UTM tracking, check out:

Why Bulk Add UTM Parameters to Google Ads?

Understanding how to bulk add UTM parameters to Google Ads allows you to:

Monitor which campaigns drive the most conversions
Track keyword-level performance
Analyze user behavior by source, medium, and device

Skipping this step can result in lost or misattributed data, reducing your ability to optimize performance.

How to Bulk Add UTM Parameters to Google Ads

Below are four proven methods for efficiently and accurately bulk adding UTM parameters. Each helps you learn how to bulk add UTM parameters to Google Ads with greater ease.

Method 1: Using Campaign URL Builder

For beginners or smaller campaigns, Google’s Campaign URL Builder is a straightforward tool to manually generate UTM-tagged URLs. This method is especially useful when you want complete control over UTM naming conventions without using scripts or bulk editors.

Steps:

1. Go to the Campaign URL Builder
This free tool by Google helps you generate URLs with UTM tags easily.

2. Enter your landing page URL
Paste the URL of the page you want your ad to lead to.

3. Fill out the UTM parameters:

Campaign Source: Use the platform sending the traffic, like google
Campaign Medium: Use cpc for paid ads
Campaign Name: Name your campaign (e.g., summer-sale)
Campaign Term (optional): Useful for identifying paid keywords
Campaign Content (optional): Helps distinguish between ads within the same campaign

4. Generate and copy the URL
The tool will automatically create a URL like:

https://example.com?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=summer-sale

5. Paste it in your ad’s Final URL field
Head over to your Google Ads dashboard and replace the existing Final URL of your ad with this UTM-tagged version.

Why use this method?

No technical skills required
Great for A/B testing different versions of ads
Allows full customization of the UTM structure

Method 2: Using UTM Tracking Templates

Instead of tagging every ad manually, use tracking templates to apply UTM parameters at scale.

Sample Template:

{lpurl}?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={campaignid}&utm_term={keyword}&utm_content={creative}

Fill in your UTM parameters

You can apply this template at:

Campaign level – affects all ads within a specific campaign
Ad group level – affects all ads within an ad group
Account level – applies globally across your entire account (go to Settings > Tracking)

Steps to apply:

Open your Google Ads account
Navigate to Settings at your desired level (Account, Campaign, or Ad Group)
Locate the “Tracking template” field
Paste your UTM tracking template into the field
Save the changes

Benefits of using tracking templates:

Centralized management of UTMs
Easy to update across large sets of ads
Reduces the chance of human error
Keeps your URLs clean and consistent

Tracking templates are ideal for marketers managing multiple campaigns who want an automated, uniform method to track performance.

Want a ready-to-use UTM tracking template and detailed guidance on how to structure your campaigns?

Check out this in-depth blog post:

Method 3: Using Google Ads Editor

Google Ads Editor is a free desktop tool that allows you to make bulk changes offline.

Steps:

1. Log into your Google Ads Editor account
If you haven’t already, download and install Google Ads Editor. Once installed, open the app and log into your Google Ads account.

2. Navigate the campaigns menu
Click the Campaigns icon in the left-hand panel to bring up your campaign list. Then select “Ads” to view individual ads.

3. Select ads
Check the boxes next to all the ads where you want to add or update UTM parameters. Once selected, click the blue “Edit” button at the top, and choose “Change custom parameters.”

4. Fill in your UTM parameters
Click “Add parameters” and enter your custom UTM string. Format it properly using a “?” after the base URL and connect each UTM parameter with “&”. Example:

?utm_source=GoogleAds&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=spring-launch

To track traffic from a social media campaign on TikTok, use something like

?utm_campaign=video&utm_medium=social&utm_source=tiktok

5. Apply changes
Once you’ve added the desired UTM parameters, click “Add” and then “Apply” to save and implement the changes.

Why use it?

Saves time on large accounts
Allows offline editing
Easier to preview and review edits before posting

This method has saved me hours on large accounts. I’ve covered the full process, pitfalls, and pro tips in my guide:

Method 4: Automate UTM Tagging with a Google Ads Script

For larger accounts or advanced workflows, automation is key. Here’s how to bulk add UTM parameters using a Google Ads script, especially helpful when dealing with 50+ ad groups.

Google Ads Script for UTM Tagging

Below is a working script that:

Loops through all enabled campaigns and ad groups.
Encodes campaign and ad group names.
Applies a tracking template to each ad group.

Script Example:

Steps to Use:

Navigate to Google Ads > Tools > Scripts
Create a new script
Paste the code and authorize
Preview and run

Note: Scripts make live changes. Always preview before running!

This method ensures 100% consistency across large ad accounts—and removes the chance of human error.

How to Monitor Google Ads Campaigns with UTM Parameters in Google Analytics

Once your ads are running with UTM parameters, track their performance in Google Analytics:

Go to Acquisition > Campaigns > All Campaigns
Analyze traffic by source, medium, campaign
Use secondary dimensions like keyword, device, and location

This data helps you optimize future campaigns with precision.

Best Practices for UTM Parameter Management in Google Ads

Follow these tips to keep your tracking clean and consistent:

Always use lowercase
Example: utm_source=google instead of utm_source=Google
Use hyphens instead of spaces
Example: utm_campaign=summer-sale instead of utm_campaign=summer sale
Stick to a consistent naming convention
Define clear rules for campaign, source, and medium names—and make sure your entire team follows them.
Avoid parameter duplication
If you're using auto-tagging (gclid), don't manually add parameters that duplicate that data.

Common Mistakes When Bulk Adding UTM Parameters to Google Ads

Avoid these issues to ensure accurate tracking:

Missing data in Google Analytics?
Check if redirects are stripping UTM parameters from your URLs.
Seeing inconsistent campaign reports?
Make sure your team follows a standardized UTM naming system.
Conflicts between UTMs and auto-tagging?
Decide whether to rely on gclid or UTMs—don’t use both for the same metrics unless absolutely necessary.

Ready to Become a UTM Pro?

If you're looking to get crystal clear on your campaign performance and stop guessing, I’ve built a complete course that walks you through every detail.

Mastering UTM Tracking: Boost Your Campaign Success

In this course, I teach:

UTM strategy
Campaign setup in Google Ads
Google Analytics tracking
Real-world workflows using tools like this script

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Learning how to bulk add UTM parameters to Google Ads is essential for any data-driven marketer. Whether you’re using the Campaign URL Builder, tracking templates, Ads Editor, or automation scripts, what matters most is consistency and clarity in your tracking.

Start using these methods today to improve campaign visibility and ROI tracking.
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