AutoTag Setup
Learn how to activate the AnyTrack AutoTag feature for cross-domain conversion tracking with the data-tracking-group and rel attributes. Includes setup instructions for different tracking scenarios.
AutoTag is AnyTrack’s automatic conversion tracking feature that helps you track user interactions across different domains and platforms. It recognizes most links on its own. This page covers the cases where you tell it what to do, by assigning a tracking group to a link with an HTML attribute.
What is AutoTag?
Section titled “What is AutoTag?”AutoTag automatically generates tracking parameters when users click on tagged links, enabling accurate attribution and conversion tracking across domains. This is essential for:
- Cross-domain tracking: Following users as they navigate between different websites
- Conversion attribution: Understanding which traffic sources lead to actual conversions
- Campaign performance: Measuring the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns
Key Terms
Section titled “Key Terms”- atrefid: AnyTrack’s referral ID parameter for cross-domain tracking
atclid: AnyTrack’s click ID parameter used in property settings- Tracking group: The rule set that tells AnyTrack which parameter to append to a link. Tracking group names are always lowercase.
data-tracking-groupattribute: The attribute that assigns a tracking group to a link or form- rel attribute: HTML attribute that specifies the relationship between the current page and the linked resource
How AutoTag Picks a Tracking Group
Section titled “How AutoTag Picks a Tracking Group”Most links need no attribute at all. The Tracking Tag checks the following in order and stops at the first match:
| Order | What the Tracking Tag checks | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | data-tracking-group="<group>" | Set on the link or form, or inherited from a parent element |
| 2 | rel="<group>" on an <a> tag | Space-separated values are read left to right. nofollow and sponsored are skipped |
| 3 | The destination URL | Recognized Integration Catalog networks are matched automatically |
| 4 | A tgid-<group> class | Set on the link or a parent element |
Because data-tracking-group is checked first, it overrides everything else on that link. It also works on forms, where rel does not. Use rel when you cannot add a data attribute to the markup.
Two values are reserved and cannot be assigned by attribute: custom and unknown.
AutoTag Implementation Methods
Section titled “AutoTag Implementation Methods”Method 1: Cross-Domain Tracking with the anytrack Tracking Group
Section titled “Method 1: Cross-Domain Tracking with the anytrack Tracking Group”This method generates an atrefid parameter for tracking users across different domains.
When to use: When you send visitors to another domain that also runs AnyTrack, and the destination is not already covered by your Cross-Domain Tracking settings.
When not to use: On affiliate links to networks in the Integration Catalog. Those are recognized by URL and already receive the network’s own SubID parameter, such as tid for ClickBank. Assigning the anytrack group overrides that and sends atrefid instead, which the network cannot read.
Implementation:
<a href="https://utmhq.com/" data-tracking-group="anytrack" title="Create a UTM tracking template"> Create a UTMHQ Tracking Template</a>The rel attribute assigns the same tracking group:
<a href="https://utmhq.com/" rel="anytrack" title="Create a UTM tracking template"> Create a UTMHQ Tracking Template</a>Rendered example — the parameter is appended on a site running the Tracking Tag, not on this documentation page:
Result: When clicked, this link automatically appends the atrefid parameter to track the visitor’s journey to the external domain.
Method 2: Cross-Domain via Property Settings
Section titled “Method 2: Cross-Domain via Property Settings”This method generates an atclid parameter and is configured through your AnyTrack property settings rather than the HTML rel attribute.
When to use: When you have multiple links to the same domain and want to manage tracking centrally through your AnyTrack dashboard.
Implementation:
<a href="https://utm.new" title="Create a UTM tracking template"> Create a UTM Tracking Template</a>Rendered example — the parameter is appended on a site running the Tracking Tag, not on this documentation page:
Setup required: Configure the target domain in your AnyTrack property settings to enable automatic atclid generation.
Method 3: Affiliate Network Integration (HasOffers)
Section titled “Method 3: Affiliate Network Integration (HasOffers)”This method is specifically designed for HasOffers affiliate network tracking.
When to use: When a HasOffers link is not recognized automatically — typically because it sits behind a redirect or a vanity path rather than the network’s standard aff_c?offer_id= URL format.
Implementation:
<a href="https://example.foo/goto/hasoffers" data-tracking-group="hasoffers" title="HasOffers demo link"> HasOffers Demo Link</a>The rel attribute assigns the same tracking group:
<a href="https://example.foo/goto/hasoffers" rel="hasoffers" title="HasOffers demo link"> HasOffers Demo Link</a>Rendered example — the parameter is appended on a site running the Tracking Tag, not on this documentation page:
Result: The Click ID is appended as the aff_click_id and aff_sub5 parameters, which HasOffers-based networks store and return in their postbacks.
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”- Choose your method: Select the AutoTag method that best fits your tracking needs
- Test your implementation: Verify that tracking parameters are being generated correctly
- Monitor performance: Use your AnyTrack dashboard to analyze conversion data and attribution
Need Help?
Section titled “Need Help?”If you’re unsure which method to use or need assistance with setup, see the AutoTag article or contact support.
Related Articles
Section titled “Related Articles”AutoTag FAQs
FAQ was last reviewed on 2026-07-29
What does AutoTag do?
Does AutoTag work with all affiliate networks?
data-tracking-group or rel, or append the --CLICK-ID-- token manually.Do I have to add an attribute for AutoTag to work?
data-tracking-group and rel attributes are for links AutoTag cannot identify on its own, or for links where you want to override the group it would pick.Can I disable AutoTag for specific links?
rel and data-tracking-group attributes choose which tracking group a link uses — they do not switch tagging on or off, so removing rel does not stop AnyTrack from tagging a link it recognizes by URL. To exclude a link, add class="at-do-not-track" to it, or to a container element to exclude everything inside it. See Custom Event Triggers.