Rack::UTM

Rack::UTM is a rack middleware that extracts information about the utm tracking codes. Specifically, it looks up for specific parameter (utm-* by default) in the request. If found, it persists utm tag values in a cookie for later use.

Common Scenario

UTM links tracking is very common task if you want to promote your online business. This middleware helps you to do that.

1. Use UTM Link to promote your business like http://yoursite.org?utm_source=ABC123.....
2. A user clicks through the link and lands on your site.
3. Rack::Utm middleware finds utm_* parameters in the request, extracts them and saves it in a cookie
4. User signs up (now or later) and you know the utm params the user has assigned
5. PROFIT!

Installation

Piece a cake:

gem install rack-utm

Rails 3 Example Usage

Add the middleware to your application stack:

# Rails 3 App - in config/application.rb
class Application < Rails::Application
  ...
  config.middleware.use Rack::Utm
  ...
end

# Rails 2 App - in config/environment.rb
Rails::Initializer.run do |config|
  ...
  config.middleware.use "Rack::Utm"
  ...
end

Now you can check any request to see who came to your site via an affiliated link and use this information in your application. Affiliate tag is saved in the cookie and will come into play if user returns to your site later.

class ExampleController < ApplicationController
  def index
    str = if request.env['utm.source']
      "Hallo, user! You've been referred here by #{request.env['utm.source']}, #{request.env['utm.medium']}, ...."
    else
      "We're glad you found us on your own!"
    end
    
    render :text => str
  end
end

Customization

By default cookie is set for 30 days, you can extend time to live with :ttl option (default is 30 days).

#Rails 3 in config/application.rb
class Application < Rails::Application
  ...
  config.middleware.use Rack::Affiliates, {:ttl => 3.months}
  ...
end

The :domain option allows to customize cookie domain.

#Rails 3 in config/application.rb
class Application < Rails::Application
  ...
  config.middleware.use Rack::Affiliates, :domain => '.example.org'
  ...
end

Middleware will set cookie on .example.org so it's accessible on www.example.org, app.example.org etc.

The :overwrite option allows to set whether to overwrite the existing utm tag previously stored in cookies. By default it is set to true.

Credits

Thanks goes to Rack::Referrals (https://github.com/deviantech/rack-referrals) and Rack::Affiliates (https://github.com/alexlevin/rack-affiliates) for the inspiration.