Guides

External Link Tracking

External link tracking allows you to monitor when users click on links that take them away from your website. This helps you understand user behavior, measure outbound traffic, and improve marketing strategies.

External link tracking

How Does It Work?

Glass Analytics automatically detects and tracks clicks on external links. When a user clicks an external link, the system logs the event and sends the data to your analytics dashboard.

What Information is Captured?

When an external link is clicked, the following details are recorded:

  • Link URL – The destination URL of the external link.
  • Page URL – The webpage where the user clicked the link.
  • Timestamp – The exact time the click occurred.
  • Event Type – Marked as an "external_link" event.

No additional setup is required! Once Glass Analytics is installed on your site, external link tracking works automatically for all <a> elements with an href attribute pointing to a different domain.

You can find external link tracking data in your analytics dashboard under the "External Links" section. This will show you:

  • The most frequently clicked external links.
  • Which pages drive the most outbound traffic.
  • User engagement trends with external content.

While external link tracking is highly useful, it does have some limitations:

  • Redirects & Interstitials – If an external link redirects through multiple pages, tracking will only capture the initial click.
  • JavaScript-Modified Links – If a link is modified dynamically (e.g., via JavaScript), it may not be tracked properly unless handled correctly.
  • Middle-Click & Open in New Tab – Some browsers prevent tracking if a user opens a link in a new tab or window.
  • Ad Blockers & Browser Restrictions – Some users may have settings or extensions that block tracking scripts, reducing data accuracy.
  • Understand user behavior – See where visitors go after leaving your site.
  • Measure outbound traffic – Identify the most valuable external links.
  • Optimize partnerships – Track referrals to third-party sites.