Capturing Google Click ID (GCLID) with Madlitics

GCLID (Google Click ID) is a unique identifier added to URLs when Google Ads’ autotagging is enabled. Unlike UTM parameters, this numeric string doesn’t provide human-readable campaign data — it’s designed for Google’s internal attribution models. While Madlitics doesn’t include GCLID in default fields, you can easily enable tracking for specialized use cases.

How to capture GCLID as a Madlitics field
Capturing GCLID data through Madlitics follows the same process you used when setting up your initial channel and segment fields. The configuration process varies slightly depending on your form platform of choice. If you need a refresher on setting up channel and segment fields, you can find detailed instructions in our [previous guide on form configuration].

Madlitics field values

GCLID:
Field label: gclid
Default value: [gclid]

Madlitics multi-channel attribution visualization, showing marketing platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Google, and Facebook. The graphic highlights how different sources contribute to high-performing marketing channels.

1. Add UTM parameters to all inbound links

Any marketing effort that drives traffic — whether it’s a paid ad, an email campaign, or an organic post — should have properly structured URLs that clearly define the visitor’s origin. Setting it up is a straightforward process that starts with ensuring all inbound links include UTM parameters.
‍
A LinkedIn campaign, for example, might link to:
‍https://yoursite.com/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=paidsocial&utm_campaign=q1_promo

Screenshot of a form builder interface with a highlighted 'Hidden Input' field. Accompanied by text explaining how to install and set up Madlitics by adding hidden fields to capture marketing attribution data.

2. Add hidden fields

Once you’ve added UTM tracking to your inbound links, the next step is to install Madlitics on your site and update your Framer Forms to include hidden fields that will store attribution data when a visitor submits a form automatically. Hidden fields to include:

• Channel (e.g., Paid Search, Organic Social, Direct)
• Segment 1 (Platform name: Google, LinkedIn, Twitter)
• Segment 2 (Campaign name)
• Segment 3 (Ad group, offer name, or post type)
• Segment 4 (Creative type or ad variation)
• Landing page/group (Tracking & first-touch attribution)

3. Utilize attribution data

With the setup complete, every form submission in Framer now carries full attribution data, ensuring accurate insights into where leads originate. Pass this data to your CRM, analytics tools, or marketing automation platforms to track performance, refine campaigns, and optimize marketing efforts with precision.

Once enabled, GCLID data will flow into Madlitics reports alongside your attribution data.

GCLID tracking becomes relevant in specific scenarios — like troubleshooting discrepancies between Google Ads and Madlitics, meeting compliance mandates for click ID retention, or syncing data with custom tools requiring Google’s native identifiers. While most teams will never need it, we’ve made it simple to enable because Madlitics thrives on adaptability. Your success depends on having every tool you might need, even if you rarely use it—and we’re here to ensure you’re always prepared.

Put attribution data to work

Sync, analyze, and automate — turn insights into action.

Sync with your CRM
‍Pass UTM parameters into Salesforce, HubSpot, or ActiveCampaign so your sales team knows exactly where every lead came from — no more guessing.

Built smarter reports
Use Google Sheets, Looker Studio, or Airtable to create data-driven reports that reveal which campaigns drive real revenue — helping you make informed budget decisions.

Track revenue impact
Sync UTM data with Stripe, PayPal, or Chargebee to see which campaigns generate paying customers, not just leads — so you can scale what works.

Personalize email campaigns
Trigger personalized email flows in Klaviyo, Mailchimp, or ConvertKit based on a lead’s original source — ensuring the right message reaches the right audience.

Visualizing your marketing impact

See how attribution data translates into actionable insights.

Leads by channel
See how different marketing channels contribute to lead generation over time. Understand which ones drive the most traffic and whether your marketing mix is balanced. Shift your budget toward the highest-performing channels to maximize results.

Stacked bar chart illustrating lead volume across different marketing campaigns, including Black Friday, Retargeted, Spring Promo, Referral, and SEO. Highlights trends in campaign effectiveness.

Leads by campaign
Track inbound leads across all campaigns, whether or not they have UTM parameters. Ensure every lead is categorized correctly, including Organic and Referral traffic. Use this insight to refine messaging, targeting, and budget allocation for better performance.

Conversion rate by channel
See which channels convert leads into paying customers. Some bring buyers, while others generate unqualified leads. Focus your budget on what drives revenue.

Revenue by campaign
Focus your budget on campaigns that drive revenue, not just leads. Identify top performers and optimize underperforming efforts to maximize profitability.

Everything you need for reliable lead attribution

Accurate, persistent, and automated tracking — so your campaigns perform at their best.

Outperforms basic UTM tracking
Madlitics captures, categorizes, and persists attribution data across sessions, giving you a complete, structured view of what’s working in your marketing. Say goodbye to losing attribution when users navigate your site, struggling with formatting inconsistencies, and ingored non-UTM traffic.

Capture all traffic
Madlitics categorizes all inbound leads — whether they have UTM parameters or not — so every conversion is accounted for, and you won't miss out on Organic Search, Organic Social, and Referral traffic.

Attribution across pages and sessions
A LinkedIn ad click should be attributed correctly—even if the visitor signs up on a different page later. If someone clicks an ad, browses multiple pages, then submits a form later, Madlitics persists attribution data across sessions, ensuring your reports reflect true performance.

Cleaner, more reliable data
Duplicate UTMs and inconsistent formatting break reports and mislead teams. Madlitics cleans and organizes attribution data before sending it to your CRM, giving you accurate insights.

See which content converts
Attribution isn’t just about where visitors came from—it’s about what convinced them to convert. By capturing landing page data alongside UTM parameters, Madlitics shows you which blog posts, case studies, or pricing pages drive the most revenue, helping you scale content that works.

Transform form submissions into actionable insights
Madlitics connects marketing touchpoints to lead generation, ensuring every form submission is fully attributed — optimize ad spend by identifying high-ROI channels, refine messaging based on what content drives engagement, make data-driven decisions with clean, structured reports, and more.

Enabling GCLID for attribution marketing

Madlitics field values

Contact our support team and we'll work together to figure out a solution

Built for real teams. Backed by real results.