Do UTM-tags in a backlink affect SEO

Question

Do UTM-tags (Urchin Traffic Monitor) in a backlink affect SEO?

E.g.

1) http://www.domain.tld/
2) http://www.domain.tld/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

Both links are pointing from website A to the same webpage on website B (the one mentioned above), but look different. #2 isn't exactly a pretty URL.

I don't think it will be affecting SEO, but am not sure.

Can somebody confirm this?

John Conde · Answer 1 · 2011-05-18 13:44:40Z

It shouldn't affect SEO as I would expect Google to recognize it's own product being used (Google Analytics). But to be on the safe side using canonical URLs to point to the non-query string version of the URL (http://www.domain.tld/) would be a smart idea.

Parkyprg · Answer 2 · 2011-05-18 10:56:30Z

up vote 0 down vote

It will not affect SEO.

But bear in mind to use only one type of link on all the pages. Otherwise you will end up with duplicate content (both URLs pointing to the same final page).

answered May 18 '11 at 10:56

Parkyprg

	So, when using canonical tags there won't be any problems, right? – Seo2nl May 18 '11 at 11:08
	There is no problem using canonical tags. The only thing is that it will not help you to much in SEO - but you will not be banned. – Parkyprg May 18 '11 at 11:10
	I edited my question as I believe there's some misunderstanding.. – Seo2nl May 18 '11 at 11:20

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Do UTM-tags in a backlink affect SEO

migrated from stackoverflow.com May 18 '11 at 13:16

2 Answers