This query string is made up of the following two query parameters:
ThemeId=8904
iPathId=38715
The query parameter ‘ThemeId=8904’ is made up of the key called ‘ThemeId’ and the value called ‘8904’
By default Google Analytics treat same page as two different web pages, if they contain different query parameters.
For example, for Google Analytics the following two web pages are different (even if they display, exactly the same contents):
https://www.abc.com/fold1?ThemeId=8904
If a query parameter doesn’t change the contents of a web page then you should exclude it from your GA reports via the ‘Exclude URL Query Parameters’ feature.
Failing to do so, will result in multiple entries being reported for the same page in your GA reports.
For example, if the following two pages display exactly the same content:
https://www.abc.com/fold1?ThemeId=8904
https://www.abc.com/fold1?ThemeId=8905
Then GA may report traffic to these pages like the one below:
Once you exclude the query parameter ‘ThemeId’:
Then Google Analytics will consolidate the traffic of the two pages and may report the traffic as:
Now imagine your website is using thousands of different query parameters for the same page.
In that case, without excluding query parameters, you would see thousands of different entries for the same page in your GA reports.
How to find the list of query parameters to remove from your GA reports?
Follow the steps below:
Step-1: Ask your web developer to send you a list of query parameters that are being used on the website but which do not change the contents of a web page.
Step-7: Click on the ‘Report Configuration’ tab at the bottom of the Google sheet:
Step-8: Navigate to the main reporting view of your Google Analytics property.
Step-9: Navigate to the ‘Admin’ section and then click on ‘View Settings’:
Step-10: Copy your view id:
Step-11: Navigate back to the ‘Report Configuration’ tab of your Google Sheet and then paste your view id in the yellow coloured cell, immediately after the ‘ga:’
Step-12: Modify the Last N Days value to 30 days:
Step-13: Navigate to Add-ons menu > Google Analytics > Run Reports
Step-14: Click on the ‘Continue’ button:
Step-15: Select and click on your Google Analytics account:
Step-16: Let Google Analytics access your Google Account by clicking on the ‘Allow’ button:
Step-17: If you see ‘upgrade notice’ then click on the ‘ok’ button:
Step-18: You should now see the ‘Report Status’ message box. Click on the ‘ok’ button:
Step-19: Navigate to the ‘Unique Query Parameters‘ tab of your Google Sheet:
Step-20: Mark “YES” (by selecting it from the drop-down menu) next to each query parameter you would like to exclude from your GA reports:
Step-21: Once you are done, copy the value of the yellow cell:
Step-22: Paste the value of the yellow cell into the “Exclude Query Parameters” field in your View settings in Google Analytics:
Do not exclude ‘search query parameters’. Otherwise you won’t see any data in your ‘site search’ reports:
Introduction to Search Query Parameters
When users search on your website (via the search box):
their queries are usually included in the URL.
For example, if you search for ‘enhanced ecommerce basics’ on optimizesmart.com, you would see ‘s’ (search query parameter) followed by your query:
If I exclude this search query parameter from my GA reports:
Then GA will not be able to capture any site search data in my reports.
If you are not sure, what your site search query parameter looks like then ask your web developer.
If you want to include site search data but still remove search query parameters from your GA reports, then follow the steps below:
Step-1: Turn ‘Site search Tracking’ (under ‘View Settings’) to ‘ON’:
Step-2: Enter your search query parameter(s) in the ‘Query parameter’ text box:
Note: You can enter up to 5 search query parameters separated by commas. Also, remember that search query parameters are case sensitive.
Step-3: Select the checkbox ‘Strip query parameters out of URL’:
Step-4: Click on the ‘Save’ button.
Register for the FREE TRAINING...
"How to use Digital Analytics to generate floods of new Sales and Customers without spending years figuring everything out on your own."
Here’s what we’re going to cover in this training…
#1 Why digital analytics is the key to online business success.
#2 The number 1 reason why most marketers are not able to scale their advertising and maximize sales.
#3 Why Google and Facebook ads don’t work for most businesses & how to make them work.
#4 Why you won’t get any competitive advantage in the marketplace just by knowing Google Analytics.
#5 The number 1 reason why conversion optimization is not working for your business.
#6 How to advertise on any marketing platform for FREE with an unlimited budget.
#7 How to learn and master digital analytics and conversion optimization in record time.
My best selling books on Digital Analytics and Conversion Optimization
Maths and Stats for Web Analytics and Conversion Optimization
This expert guide will teach you how to leverage the knowledge of maths and statistics in order to accurately interpret data and take actions, which can quickly improve the bottom-line of your online business.
Master the Essentials of Email Marketing Analytics
This book focuses solely on the ‘analytics’ that power your email marketing optimization program and will help you dramatically reduce your cost per acquisition and increase marketing ROI by tracking the performance of the various KPIs and metrics used for email marketing.
Attribution Modelling in Google Analytics and BeyondSECOND EDITION OUT NOW!
Attribution modelling is the process of determining the most effective marketing channels for investment. This book has been written to help you implement attribution modelling. It will teach you how to leverage the knowledge of attribution modelling in order to allocate marketing budget and understand buying behaviour.
Attribution Modelling in Google Ads and Facebook
This book has been written to help you implement attribution modelling in Google Ads (Google AdWords) and Facebook. It will teach you, how to leverage the knowledge of attribution modelling in order to understand the customer purchasing journey and determine the most effective marketing channels for investment.
About the Author
Himanshu Sharma
Founder, OptimizeSmart.com
Over 15 years of experience in digital analytics and marketing
Author of four best-selling books on digital analytics and conversion optimization
Nominated for Digital Analytics Association Awards for Excellence
Runs one of the most popular blogs in the world on digital analytics
Consultant to countless small and big businesses over the decade
Learn and Master Google Analytics 4 (GA4) - 126 pages ebook
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.