Tracking gaps

Use this guide when people are scanning or clicking a Smart Link, but the numbers in Smart Link analytics do not match what you expected to see.

Always check the Start Date and End Date on the per-link Smart Link Analytics page, then click Run so the view includes your test or launch period.

Symptom

Typical signs of a tracking gap:

• the Smart Link works, but analytics still looks empty
• scan volume seems lower than expected
• one variant is not showing the traffic you expected
• UTM or referrer breakdowns look incomplete

The most common causes

Quick diagnostic checklist

Work through this in order:

1. Open the correct Smart Link.
2. Choose a Start Date and End Date that definitely include the expected traffic.
3. Click Run.
4. Test the Smart Link again with the real URL or QR code.
5. If variants are involved, confirm the URL includes the correct ?v= parameter.
6. Compare Number of scans, Scans Over Time, and Scans by Variant together.

What partial data can still mean

A tracking gap does not always mean the Smart Link failed.

Examples:

• scans can still be counted even when referrer data is missing
• the main Smart Link can show traffic even when one variant was never actually used
• channel attribution can differ from referrer data because UTM source and referrer are separate signals

How to reduce future gaps

• test the exact final QR file before launch
• make sure teams distribute the Smart Link, not the raw destination
• use variants consistently for placements that need separate reporting
• agree on a stable UTM naming scheme before launch
• run one final QA pass after printing and before broad distribution

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