Link Validation & Troubleshooting Checklist

Clean, properly formatted links ensure your emails perform effectively.  

• Encoding ensures the link functions correctly and directs users to the intended destination.
• Encoded URLs make Google Analytics reporting more accurate
• Encoded URLs ensure link tracking and reporting in Connect is more accurate.

What’s New:

• Smarter link validation to catch issues early
• Helpful error messages when a link is not going to work properly
• In other words, the link contains special characters that need to be converted into a valid HTML format.

Best Practices To Follow:

• URLs should follow URL Encoding best practices 
• URLs should follow established standards
• Links should be 1000 characters or less
• No spaces in links
  • Any spaces in the URL should be URL encoded by replacing them with a plus (+) sign or with %20
• When using macros in URLs, they must contain “” 
• For more URL encoding best practices, click here.

Here Are Some Examples Of What To Look For: 

• The link: withrealcustomers.com?param=my name
• Should be encoded as: withrealcustomers.com?param=my%20name
  
  

What To Do If You Have A Link Validation Error:

• Customers should look for these error messages and update their link (spaces or question marks are the most common issues)

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Common URL Issues that Trigger Validation:

1. Spaces in URLs
   1. Bad: withrealcustomers.com?param=my name
   2. Fix: "withrealcustomers.com?param=my%20name" or "withrealcustomers.com?param=my+name"
2. Missing URL Encoding
   1. All special characters (e.g., spaces, #, &, =) must be properly encoded using URL encoding standards.
   2. Use URL encoding tools or resources if unsure.
3. Macro Formatting Errors
   1. All macros must be wrapped in double curly braces.
   2. ✅ Correct: ,
   3. ❌ Incorrect: %email%, {email}

• Macro Formatting Errors

1. 1. All macros must be wrapped in double curly braces.
      1. ✅ Correct: ,
      2. ❌ Incorrect: %email%, {email}

Validation Best Practices

• NO raw spaces in any part of the URL

• NO unencoded characters (like raw ?, =, & without proper structure)
  URLs must follow standard encoding conventions

• Double-check UTM parameters for correct format and encoding
• Use only supported macros in the correct format ()

Steps to Fix Your Link:

1. Check for spaces. Replace them with %20 or +.
2. Ensure all characters are encoded. Use an encoder if needed.
3. Verify macro formatting. All must use double curly braces.
4. Retest the updated link. Run through Connect again to ensure it passes validation.
5. Still not working?. Contact Support with the full URL for deeper troubleshooting.