# Switch From Another Tracker

> Switch to AnyTrack from another tracking platform without re-tagging every ad. Keep your existing UTM parameters, add the required ID parameters, and verify campaign attribution.

You do not have to re-tag your ads from scratch when you move to AnyTrack from another tracking platform. AnyTrack maps known platform UTM conventions automatically. This guide shows you what your current tags must contain and where the parameters must live. It also shows you how to verify attribution before you remove the old tool.

<Prerequisites
  title="Before you begin"
  items={[
    { label: 'An AnyTrack Property that connects your website or shop to AnyTrack', done: true },
    { label: 'The AnyTrack Tracking Tag installed on your website', done: true },
    { label: 'Your ad account connected in AnyTrack', done: true },
    { label: 'Permission to edit ads in your ad platform account', done: true },
  ]}
/>

## Step 1: Check the parameters your ads already carry

Open one live ad in your ad platform and read the parameters on the ad URL. Compare the parameters against the list below.

AnyTrack needs two groups of parameters:

- **ID-based parameters** — the campaign, ad set or ad group, and ad identifiers. AnyTrack matches the identifiers against the campaign data from your ad account. Each platform uses its own parameter names and tokens, so take them from the AnyTrack template for that platform. On Meta Ads the ID parameters are `utm_id`, `adset_id`, and `ad_id`. On Google Ads they include `utm_id`, `utm_content`, `creativeId`, and `adgroupid`, and Google fills each one with a ValueTrack macro.
- **Name-based parameters** — `utm_source`, `utm_medium`, and `utm_campaign` describe the traffic in words.

Keep the ID-based parameters exactly as the template for your platform defines them. Change the name-based parameters to match your own naming.

<Callout icon="📘" theme="info">
**Your old tracker's parameters can stay**

AnyTrack uses standard UTM parameters. Most other tracking tools use custom parameters, such as `tw_id` or `h_adid`. Those custom parameters do not conflict with the AnyTrack parameters, so you can leave them on the ad.
</Callout>

## Step 2: Add the ID parameters that are missing

If your ads carry name-based parameters only, add the ID-based parameters from the AnyTrack template.

1. Open **Tracking Pixels** in AnyTrack.
2. Select the pixel for the ad platform you want to update.
3. Click the **Ads Integrations** tab.
4. Copy the UTM tracking template.
5. Merge the ID-based parameters into the parameters your ads already carry.

Each ad platform uses different dynamic tokens. For the exact tokens, read the [Facebook UTM Parameters](/docs/facebook-utm), [Google Ads](/docs/google-ads), or [TikTok Ads](/docs/tiktok-ads) guide.

<Callout icon="❗" theme="error">
**Without the ID parameters, campaign reporting stops at the source level**

If the ad URL has no ID-based parameters, AnyTrack records the session only. AnyTrack cannot align the session with the metrics from your ad account. The campaign, ad set, and ad fields show (not set) in the [Campaign Report](/docs/campaign-report).
</Callout>

## Step 3: Put the parameters in the field the platform provides

Each ad platform provides its own field for URL parameters. Add the parameters in that field. For Meta Ads and Google Ads, do not append the parameters to the destination URL.

| Ad platform | Where the parameters go |
| --- | --- |
| Meta Ads | The **URL Parameters** field on the ad. To update many ads at once, select the ads, click **Edit**, and select **URL Parameters**. |
| Google Ads | The tracking template in **URL Options**, at account, campaign, or ad group level. If anti-fraud software already occupies the tracking template field, use the **URL Suffix** field instead. |
| TikTok Ads | The **Tracking parameters** field of the ad, under **Ad details**. TikTok does not append UTM parameters automatically, so add the template to every ad. |

<Callout icon="📘" theme="info">
**Which platforms report cost and revenue together**

AnyTrack imports campaign metrics from Meta Ads, Google Ads, and TikTok Ads. For Microsoft Ads, Taboola, and Outbrain, AnyTrack sends conversions but does not import Amount Spent. Check the native dashboard of those platforms for cost.
</Callout>

## Step 4: Verify the parameters reach AnyTrack

For Meta Ads and TikTok Ads, AnyTrack checks your ads and reports the result:

1. Open **Tracking Pixels** and select your Meta Pixel or TikTok Pixel.
2. Click the **Ads Integrations** tab.
3. Click **VERIFY ADS SETTINGS**. If you ran the check earlier, click **Reload**.
4. Read the status mark next to each campaign. A green mark confirms the template. A red mark means AnyTrack did not find the template. A yellow mark means the template contains an error.

On Meta Ads, Verify Ads Settings lists campaigns with conversion event objectives only. For the ad platforms without the check, follow the [setup validation checklist](/docs/verify-and-validate-anytrack-setup).

## Step 5: Remove the old tracker last

<Callout icon="🚧" theme="warn">
**Keep your old tracker running until AnyTrack records conversions**

Until you verify AnyTrack, your old tracker is the only tool that reports your conversions. Remove the tag of the old tracker after you confirm that AnyTrack records conversions.
</Callout>

1. Open the [Conversions Report](/docs/conversions-report) in AnyTrack.
2. Trigger a test conversion on your website.
3. Confirm that AnyTrack records the conversion.
4. Confirm that the Campaign Report shows the campaign, ad set, and ad for that conversion.
5. Remove the tag of your old tracker from your website.

To send conversions to your ad platforms through the Conversion API, you need a Starter plan or higher. On the Free plan AnyTrack reports conversions in the dashboard but does not send them to your ad platforms.

## Troubleshooting

- **Campaign fields show (not set)** — The ad URL has no ID-based parameters. Add the ID-based parameters from the AnyTrack template for that platform.
- **Verify Ads Settings shows a yellow mark** — The template is present but contains an error. Click the mark to read the cause.
- **A Meta Ads campaign does not appear in Verify Ads Settings** — On Meta Ads, Verify Ads Settings lists campaigns with conversion event objectives only.
- **Sessions report the wrong source** — An intermediate platform overwrote the UTM values. Add the platform to [Ignored Sources](/docs/ignored-sources) in Property Settings.

## Related articles

<Cards columns={2}>
  <Card title="UTM Parameters" href="/docs/utm-parameters">
    <p>How AnyTrack uses UTM parameters for attribution and campaign reporting.</p>
  </Card>
  <Card title="UTM Common Mistakes" href="/docs/utm-parameters-common-mistakes">
    <p>The seven UTM errors that corrupt attribution data without an error message.</p>
  </Card>
  <Card title="Verify Your Setup" href="/docs/verify-and-validate-anytrack-setup">
    <p>The full checklist to confirm that your AnyTrack setup tracks and reports.</p>
  </Card>
  <Card title="AnyTrack Alternatives" href="/docs/anytrack-alternatives">
    <p>How the AnyTrack approach differs from traditional campaign trackers.</p>
  </Card>
</Cards>

<FaqAccordion
  title="Switching to AnyTrack FAQ"
  icon="fa-duotone fa-circle-question"
  items={[
    {
      question: "Do I have to remove the parameters from my previous tracker?",
      answer: "No. AnyTrack uses standard UTM parameters. Most other tracking tools use custom parameters, such as <code>tw_id</code> or <code>h_adid</code>. The custom parameters do not conflict with the AnyTrack parameters. Add the AnyTrack parameters next to the parameters you already run. You do not have to remove the old parameters, and the removal does not change what AnyTrack tracks."
    },
    {
      question: "Can I keep my own campaign naming convention?",
      answer: "Yes. Keep the ID-based parameters as the AnyTrack template for your platform defines them, because AnyTrack matches the identifiers against the campaign data from your ad account. On Meta Ads the ID parameters are <code>utm_id</code>, <code>adset_id</code>, and <code>ad_id</code>. On Google Ads they include <code>utm_id</code>, <code>utm_content</code>, <code>creativeId</code>, and <code>adgroupid</code>, each filled by a Google ValueTrack macro. Change the name-based parameters, such as <code>utm_campaign</code>, to match the naming you already use."
    },
    {
      question: "What happens if my ads have no campaign or ad ID parameters?",
      answer: "AnyTrack records the session and attributes the conversion at the source and medium level. AnyTrack cannot align the session with the campaign metrics from your ad account. The campaign, ad set, and ad fields show (not set) in the <a href='/docs/campaign-report'>Campaign Report</a>. Cost, revenue, and return on ad spend do not align at campaign level."
    },
    {
      question: "Where exactly do the UTM parameters go in the ad platform?",
      answer: "Each ad platform provides its own field, and each platform names the field differently. Meta Ads uses the URL Parameters field on the ad. Google Ads uses the tracking template under URL Options. TikTok Ads uses the Tracking parameters field under Ad details. The ad platform substitutes the dynamic tokens in that field when it serves the ad, then appends the result to your destination URL. On Meta Ads you can apply the template to many ads in one bulk edit, and on Google Ads an account-level template covers every campaign. TikTok is different: add the template to every TikTok ad. See <a href='/docs/facebook-utm'>Facebook UTM Parameters</a> for the Meta Ads field."
    },
    {
      question: "When can I remove the tag of my old tracking platform?",
      answer: "Remove the tag after you confirm two results. First, AnyTrack records a test conversion. Second, the Campaign Report shows the campaign, ad set, and ad for that conversion. Until then, your old tracker is the only tool that reports your conversions. To send conversions to your ad platforms through the Conversion API, you need a Starter plan or higher."
    }
  ]}
/>