We are an Ethical SEO company providing Joomla web design, emarketing and training since 1999

Joomla SEM and Google Analytics Bug

We have discovered a bug in compatibility with Joomla, Google Analytics and Google Adwords integration

By default Google Ad words uses a function called AUTO TRACKING. What this function does is ADD a ? variable to the DESTINATION URL of any given Google Adwords ad variation.

The variable in question is : gclid=

When using SerrBizSEF the actual destination url becomes something like this:

/store.html?gclid=CJioyp6Z4Y4CFQGdPAod3hjYLw

This of course, causes an error page as there is no define SEF called /store.html?gclid=CJioyp6Z4Y4CFQGdPAod3hjYLw

This problem also occurs in default Joomla SEF, and default Joomla dynamic URLS.

A quick fix maybe just turn OFF AUTO TRACKING in your Google Adwords account.

Login > my account > preferences

But, doing so disables conversion tracking in Google Analytics.

So, this is just a short term solution.

However, for a long term solution, are considering creating a rule in SerrBizSEF to redirect all SEF with an ADDED ?var to be 301 redirected to the corresponding SEF.

Sound Good? Have a different idea?

This, of course, will ONLY fix the problem for users of SerrbizSEF.  It does not address the issue for default Joomla SEF and default Joomla dynamic URLS.

On that note, we have created a post over at Joomla to see what NON Serr.biz people have to say.

http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/topic,216614.0.html

Please do leave your thoughts and suggestions over at Joomla, or below.