URL Parameter Not Pushing Value to the Hidden 'Referred By' Field

[Jeff_Smith3]

I am having several partners drive traffic to a webinar, so I'd like to give each of them an email that has their register button include a URL parameter unique to them.

Ex: http ://info.landesk.com/event-name.html?r=partner1

On the registration form is a hidden field, Referred By. The Get Value from is URL Parameter, and the Parameter Name is r. I send myself a test email by way of a smart campaign (not a send sample), and when I click the link I can see the correct parameter in the URL of the landing page. However when complete the form, my Referred By field remains blank. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?

[Nicholas_Manojl]

Just to add to this.

I spent a long time the other day trying to figure out what was going on.

In the end I gave up because I assumed I was just doing something really obvious. But I could not get my parameters to pass through to my lead. Thinking back, I wish I'd tested a different browser.

[SanfordWhiteman]

If you have a repro case, hit me up via email and I'd love to look into it. Maybe a new bug nexus.

[Jeff_Smith3]

Sanford, I've got some time from 9-10am MDT tomorrow, if that works. After that, it's basically Halloween craziness, but if that time works for you, I'd be happy to hop on join.me. I've tried repeatedly with my own lead, so the issue is repeatable. Let me know - jeff.smith@landesk.com. Thanks!

[SanfordWhiteman]

What's the real, active URL?

[Jeff_Smith3]

http:// info.landesk.com/Xtraction-Webinar-Oct-26.html?r=revel

(The space is because when I paste it without the space, the URL changes and just displays the company name.)

Thanks for any help you can offer!

[Justin_Norris1]

Jeff Smith​

Looks like the param value is successfully being set as the value of your hidden field (see screenshot below).

Is the field blocked from form updates or do you have some process that wipes the field in your instance?

When you click on the details of the fills out form activity in the activity log, does that field have a value associated with it?

[Jeff_Smith3]

Thanks for your response and testing, Justin. I had seen the same thing when I clicked to get to the landing page. It confused me as to why filling out the form still left that value blank. There is no blocking going on with that field, and there are no smart campaigns set up to clear it.

The strange thing is that my lead doesn't show a Fills Out Form activity type in the history (which is probably the problem); however, I do show up as a new webinar registrant in the Results tab, as well as receive the confirmation email.

[Justin_Norris1]

Jeff Smith​

That's wacky. Have you done any customizations to your code that might block some form submit accidentally?

I see this error in console but am out of my depth to interpret it. 

I submitted a test lead - justin+testing-webinar-form@perkuto.com - can you post a screenshot of my activity log? (ensure no filters on the activity log

What is the trigger for your smart campaign that changes the program status and sends the confirmation email?

[Jeff_Smith3]

Just had a co-worker test. His Fill Out Form appears in the activity history, as do the parameters in the details; however, the Referred By field in the Lead Details is still blank. So bizarre. Anyway, I'll take this up with support. Thanks!

[SanfordWhiteman]

Exactly what browser & version was used for that activity?

Also, as far as ​Filled Out Form ​not appearing in your Activity Log at all, make sure you do not have a duplicate lead with your email address.  A form post successfully completing but never appearing in the ActLog is a more serious concern (but usually just a testing error).

[Jeff_Smith3]

Using Chrome. I just got off the phone with support, and they think it's an issue of having multiple records, like you suggested. I checked that my record that was updating was in the correct lead partition, which it was, but I have several records. I think I'll probably have to create unique landing pages (clones) that I can use for each partner to drive traffic to. It's clunky, but this method using URL parameters is unpredictable in our instance.

[Dan_Stevens_]

In Lead Database, select the partition that has access to every partition (not necessarily the default partition), search your email addres to list every one of your records in Marketo, and then create a custom view that includes the referral custom field. Do any of your records contain the referral value?

[Jeff_Smith3]

That's a good thought, Dan. Just tried that, but they are all coming up with a blank for that value.

[SanfordWhiteman]

OK, that clarifies the missing ActLog entry.

But I've never seen the Hidden Autofill from the URL malfunction like this. Do you have an every-time repro case from that browser?  Can I take a look at it over Join.Me?

[Justin_Norris1]

Jeff Smith​ Yes that feels like a support thing, unless there is something browser specific that is only affecting you and your colleague. I'd be curious what you uncover.

[Jeff_Smith3]

Well, your test lead populated the Referred By value correctly, and the Fill Out Form showed up on the activity log. I wonder why my existing record is struggling. Every time I fill out the form to register, that activity never registers on my lead. Maybe I should just give support a call...?