Reddit traffic can be reliably attributed in Google Analytics by consistently tagging outbound Reddit links with UTM parameters and then reading those tags in GA to separate Reddit referrals from other traffic sources. Avoid relying on the default referral alone, as Reddit can route through short links or app wrappers that split attribution.
Quick method to track Reddit traffic with UTM tags
Use UTM parameters on Reddit links
- Tag every link back to your site from Reddit with:
- utm_source=reddit
- utm_medium=social
- utm_campaign=your-campaign-name
- Keep consistent values so you can aggregate by campaign or post type.
- Use a URL builder to create clean, consistent URLs.
View Reddit traffic in Google Analytics
- Open Google Analytics (GA4) or (UA) depending on your setup.
- Navigate to:
- GA4: Acquisition > Traffic Acquisition, then add a secondary dimension of Source/Medium to filter by Source = reddit and Medium = social.
- Universal Analytics: Acquisition > All Traffic > Source/Medium, then filter by Source/Medium containing reddit / social.
- Search for utm_source/utm_medium values in your data to isolate Reddit traffic.
- Create custom reports or explorations for Reddit campaigns to compare performance.
How to implement UTM tagging correctly
Choose stable, descriptive values
- utm_source: reddit
- utm_medium: social
- utm_campaign: a descriptive name (e.g., product_launch_q4 or post_week1)
Use a consistent naming convention
- Keep all source/medium values lowercase
- Avoid spaces; use underscores or hyphens
- Document your naming scheme for teammates
Tag different Reddit posts or subreddits distinctly
- utm_campaign = post_sunrise_discussion
- utm_campaign = subreddit_montage
Test your links
- Click a tagged Reddit link yourself and confirm GA records the visit with the correct source/medium.
- Check in GA real-time or the standard reports after clicking.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Missing UTM tags on Reddit links
- Always tag outbound links. Without UTM tags, sessions may appear as referral (reddit) or lost in attribution.
Redundant tagging
- Don’t duplicate parameters in redirects. Keep a single set of UTM parameters on the destination URL.
Redirects and shorteners
- If Reddit links pass through URL shorteners, ensure the final destination URL preserves UTM parameters. Some shorteners strip parameters; test and adjust if needed.
Cross-device attribution
- Reddit traffic on mobile may later convert on desktop. Use GA4’s cross-device attribution and set a reasonable conversion window (e.g., 30 days).
Privacy and consent
- Ensure you comply with privacy policies when collecting analytics data and respect user consent for cookies where required.
Advanced options for deeper attribution
Create custom explorations in GA4
- Open GA4 Analytics > Explore
- Build a blank exploration with:
- Dimensions: Source, Medium, Campaign
- Metrics: Sessions, Users, Conversions
- Apply filters: Source exactly equals reddit and Medium exactly equals social
Track Reddit traffic in a dedicated channel
- In GA4, ensure Reddit is categorized under the Social channel or create a custom channel grouping for Reddit/social signals.
- Use this as a baseline for comparing Reddit campaigns against other social channels.
Measure engagement and quality
- Look at engagement metrics: average session duration, pages per session, bounce rate
- Correlate with conversions to assess value of Reddit traffic
Quick reference checklist
- Tag all Reddit outbound links with UTM parameters
- Keep UTM values consistent and well-documented
- Verify GA reports show Source = reddit and Medium = social
- Use GA4 Explorations to compare Reddit campaigns
- Be mindful of redirects and URL shorteners
- Adjust attribution windows for differences in user behavior
Frequently Asked Questions
What uTM parameters should I use for Reddit links to track attribution in GA?
Use utm_source=reddit, utm_medium=social, and utm_campaign with a descriptive name.
Where do I view Reddit traffic in Google Analytics 4?
In GA4, go to Acquisition > Traffic Acquisition and filter by Source = reddit and Medium = social.
How can I distinguish Reddit traffic from other social networks in GA?
Tagging with utm_source=reddit and utm_medium=social, and using custom explorations or reports to filter by these values.
What if my Reddit links are shortened or redirected?
Ensure the final destination preserves UTM parameters; test links to confirm GA reads the tags.
Can I attribute Reddit traffic to specific campaigns or posts?
Yes, by using a unique utm_campaign value for each post or campaign and aggregating in reports.
What are common pitfalls when tracking Reddit traffic?
Missing UTMs, inconsistent naming, redirects stripping parameters, and treating Reddit as a generic referral.
How do I compare Reddit performance to other social channels?
Create a report or exploration with Source/Medium and Campaign dimensions to benchmark metrics like sessions and conversions.
Should I track Reddit ads separately?
Yes. Use utm_campaign to distinguish Reddit ads from organic Reddit links for clear attribution.