Google Click Identifier (GCLID)
Short definition
Google Click Identifier (GCLID): An identifier for a Google Ads click that may be appended to a landing-page URL.
Meaning and how it works
A click identifier links events to Google Ads activity, subject to consent settings and appropriate data handling. Marketing attribution links traffic sources to telephone enquiries. Results depend on reliable identifiers, attribution windows and accurate conversion recording.
Business applications
- Business scenario:
Marketing systems store GCLID where permitted and use it to connect qualified offline sales with ad clicks.
What to check before implementation
Distinguish attribution from proven causation. Account for consent, incomplete customer journeys and calls without a known marketing source.