Adopt existing links

Some links already run: in ads, newsletters or on printed material. They have no code and must not change. With Adopt an existing link you take such links into a campaign so that they appear there and are checked. The roles that create links may do this.

Step by step

1. Open the campaign and the tab Links.
2. Choose Adopt an existing link.
3. Choose the Website.
4. Enter the full Link address, with all parameters.
5. If the address is on another website, tick The address leads to another website (external target).
6. Under These parameters were found: you see what the platform reads from the address.
7. If needed, enter the Placement and choose Adopt the link.

The link then appears in the list marked Adopted. It stays exactly as it is and counts as active at once. Its parameters are read from the address.

What is different

• An adopted link has no code and cannot get a short link.
• Its target cannot be changed and it cannot get a new version.
• It is checked like any other link.
• With Matomo, visits are matched by campaign name, source and medium. This is less precise than with a code.

To adopt many links at once, use the CSV import.

Example

In September, Lindenholz Küchen placed an ad: https://www.lindenholz.example/kuechen/herbstaktion?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2026_herbstaktion. The agency adopts the link into the campaign "Herbstaktion Küchen" so that it takes part in checks and results.