Using Macros & UTM Parameters For Enhanced Targeting
- Smart Grass

- Jul 24, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 9, 2023

Dynamic Macros are used in Target URLs to customize the landing page experience for visitors based on specific variables, such as the user's location, device type, or referral source. These variables are captured by the ad server and passed to the Target URL through Dynamic Macros, which can then be used to dynamically generate landing pages and optimize the user experience.
In this article, we will explore the concept of Dynamic Macros and how they are used in Target URLs to create personalized landing pages for visitors.
What is Dynamic Macros?
Dynamic Macros are variables that are dynamically generated by the ad server and passed to the Target URL through the ad code. These variables can be used to customize the landing page experience based on specific user attributes, such as the user's location, device type, or referral source.
Dynamic Macros are denoted by a specific syntax, such as {keyword}, {device_type}, or {referrer}, and are replaced by their corresponding values when the Target URL is loaded. For example, if a user clicks on an ad for a product and the ad server passes the keyword "running shoes" as a Dynamic Macro to the Target URL, the landing page can dynamically display products related to running shoes based on the user's search query.
Dynamic Macros can be used in various ways to personalize the landing page experience. One way is to customize the landing page copy based on the user's search query or referral source. By leveraging Dynamic Macros, businesses can dynamically adjust the content to align with the user's intent, increasing the chances of conversion.
Another application involves displaying products or services related to the user's search query or location. This personalization tactic ensures that the user sees offerings that directly relate to their interests or needs, improving engagement and conversion rates.
Additionally, Dynamic Macros can optimize the landing page layout and design based on the user's device type or screen size. This responsive approach ensures that the landing page is visually appealing and user-friendly across various devices, enhancing the overall user experience.
By utilizing Dynamic Macros in these ways, businesses can create a more tailored and impactful landing page experience for their users.
How are Dynamic Macros used in Target URLs?
Dynamic Macros are used in Target URLs to create personalized landing pages for visitors based on specific user attributes. The ad server captures these attributes through the ad code and passes them to the Target URL as Dynamic Macros, which can then be used to dynamically generate landing pages and optimize the user experience.
Here are some examples of how Dynamic Macros can be used in Target URLs:
Dynamic Macros can be used to customize the landing page copy based on the user's search query or referral source. For example, if a user clicks on an ad for running shoes and the ad server passes the keyword "running shoes" as a Dynamic Macro to the Target URL, the landing page can dynamically display products related to running shoes and include copy that mentions "running shoes" to reinforce the user's search query.
Similarly, if a user clicks on an ad from a specific referral source, such as Facebook or Google, the ad server can pass the referral source as a Dynamic Macro to the Target URL, which can be used to customize the landing page copy and design to match the user's referral source. This can help create a consistent user experience and improve the user's engagement with the landing page.
Displaying products or services related to the user's search query or location.
Dynamic Macros can also be used to display products or services related to the user's search query or location. For example, if a user clicks on an ad for a local restaurant and the ad server passes the user's location as a Dynamic Macro to the Target URL, the landing page can dynamically display the restaurant's address, hours, and menu based on the user's location. This can help create a more relevant and personalized experience for the user and improve the likelihood of a conversion.
Similarly, if a user clicks on an ad for a specific product or service and the ad server passes the user's search query as a Dynamic Macro to the Target URL, the landing page can dynamically display related products or services based on the user's search query. This can help create a more targeted and relevant user experience and improve the likelihood of a conversion.
Dynamic Macros can also be used to optimize the landing page layout and design based on the user's device type or screen size. For example, if a user clicks on an ad from a mobile device and the ad server passes the user's device type as a Dynamic Macro to the Target URL, the landing page can be optimized to display a mobile-friendly layout and design that is optimized for smaller screens.
Similarly, if a user clicks on an ad from a tablet or desktop device, the ad server can pass the user's device type and screen size as Dynamic Macros to the Target URL, which can be used to optimize the landing page layout and design to match the user's device and screen size. This can help create a more user-friendly experience and improve the user's engagement with the landing page.
Overall, Dynamic Macros are a powerful tool for creating personalized and optimized landing pages that can improve the user's experience and increase the likelihood of a conversion. By capturing specific user attributes through the ad code and passing them to the Target URL as Dynamic Macros, advertisers can create a more targeted and relevant user experience that is optimized for specific user attributes such as search query, location, device type, and referral source.
Can Dynamic Macros Be Used With UTM Parameters?
Yes, Dynamic Macros can be used in conjunction with UTM parameters in Target URLs to provide additional tracking and optimization capabilities. UTM parameters are tags that can be added to the end of a URL to track specific information about the source, medium, and campaign of a website visit.
For example, a UTM parameter might look like this:
https://www.example.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=spring_sale
In this example, the UTM parameters are "utm_source=google", "utm_medium=cpc", and "utm_campaign=spring_sale". These parameters are used to track where the user came from (Google), how they arrived (CPC), and which campaign they are responding to (Spring Sale).
Dynamic Macros can be added to the UTM parameters in the Target URL to capture additional information about the user's behavior or attributes. For example, a Dynamic Macro could be added to the "utm_campaign" parameter to capture the specific keyword that the user searched for. The resulting Target URL might look like this:
https://www.example.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=spring_sale&keyword={keyword}
In this example, the Dynamic Macro "{keyword}" would be replaced with the specific keyword that the user searched for. This can be used to optimize the landing page content or ad targeting based on the user's search query.
Dynamic Macros can also be used in combination with other UTM parameters, such as "utm_content" to capture specific ad copy or creative that the user responded to, or "utm_term" to capture the specific search term that the user used to find the ad.
Overall, using Dynamic Macros in conjunction with UTM parameters in Target URLs can provide advertisers with a powerful tool for tracking and optimizing their advertising campaigns. By capturing specific user attributes and behavior through Dynamic Macros and UTM parameters, advertisers can create more personalized and targeted landing pages that are optimized for specific user attributes and search behavior.





