Setup Guide · Running Hyros Since 2019

Hyros Google Ads Integration

Without this connection, the tracker logs clicks and builds lead records but sends nothing back to bid on. We show what the tracking template does and where setup usually breaks.

Click Data Capture

How the Integration Captures gclid Data

When someone clicks a Google Ad, Google appends a gclid parameter to the destination URL. The gclid is a unique identifier tied to that specific ad click, containing information about the campaign, ad group, keyword, and match type that produced it.

When that visitor lands on your site, the Hyros tracking script reads the gclid from the URL and stores it in the lead's session record. When the visitor later converts, the gclid attaches to their lead record in Hyros. When an offline conversion event occurs downstream, the gclid is included in the conversion payload sent back to Google, letting Google credit the exact campaign, ad group, and keyword that produced the revenue. The Google Ads integration is a core part of our full Hyros implementation service.

Two prerequisites: Auto-tagging must be enabled in Google Ads so gclid parameters are appended automatically. And the Hyros tracking template must be applied to your campaigns.

The gclid chain, end to end

1

Visitor clicks Google Ad

Google appends gclid=ABC123 to the destination URL.

2

Hyros script reads gclid

Stored in the session record alongside campaign and ad ID.

3

Visitor converts

gclid attached to the lead record in Hyros.

4

Offline event occurs

gclid and conversion value sent to Google via API.

5

Google credits the click

Exact campaign, ad group, and keyword attributed to revenue.

Free Tracking Audit

Find Out Where Your Tracking Loses Revenue

On a discovery call we review how your conversions reach Google Ads, from the first click to the closed sale, and tell you what we would fix first.

For advertisers spending $100K+/month. No cost, no obligation. A person reads every submission.

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Disclosure: LGG Media is a Hyros Certified Agency. We earn a commission when a client subscribes to Hyros through us. It does not change what we recommend.

Tracking Template

Hyros Google Ads Tracking Template Setup

Hyros requires a tracking template on your Google Ads ad groups. The template appends the campaign, ad group, ad and keyword IDs to every destination URL, letting Hyros match clicks to specific campaigns and ads in reporting.

Standard search and display campaigns, applied at ad group level:

{lpurl}?gc_id={campaignid}&h_ga_id={adgroupid}&h_ad_id={creative}&h_keyword_id={targetId}&h_keyword={keyword}&h_placement={placement}

Where to apply it: Google Ads → Campaigns → Ad groups. Select the ad groups, click Edit, choose Change tracking template, paste the template and apply it.

The {lpurl} variable is replaced by Google with your final URL, including any existing parameters.

Existing parameters: Hyros's automatic setup replaces any parameters already on your ads. If you run Triple Whale, Wicked Reports, or Northbeam alongside Hyros, use the manual setup so their parameters are not overwritten.

What each parameter does

ParameterWhat it captures
{lpurl}Final destination URL with existing params preserved
{campaignid}Google Ads campaign ID for reporting attribution
{creative}Ad ID, maps the click to the specific ad served
Campaign Type Differences

Tracking for Shopping and Performance Max Campaigns

Shopping and Performance Max campaigns require a different tracking template, applied to each product group in Shopping and at campaign level in Performance Max.

Shopping (product group level) and Performance Max (campaign level):

{lpurl}?gc_id={campaignid}&g_special_campaign=true

This template carries g_special_campaign=true, which the standard template does not. Hyros's automatic setup does not cover these campaign types, so the template has to be added by hand.

Common setup error: If you run a mix of campaign types, you need the standard template on your search and display ad groups and the special template on each Shopping product group and Performance Max campaign. This is one of the most common setup errors we find in accounts not configured with Hyros in mind from the start.

Template by campaign type

Campaign typeTemplate levelSeparator
SearchAd group?
DisplayAd group?
ShoppingProduct group?
Performance MaxCampaign level?
ExperimentsNot supportedN/A

Note on experiments: Experimental campaigns in Google Ads cannot be tracked by Hyros. Variant traffic will not have attribution data.

Connection and Conversion Import

Connecting Google Ads and Configuring Offline Conversion Import

Connecting your account

1

Connect your Google account

Hyros: Integrations → Google Ads → Connect Google Account.

2

Select ad accounts

Choose which accounts to pull cost data and attribution from.

3

Choose automatic or manual setup

Automatic: Hyros applies templates directly. Manual: apply them yourself. Manual is better if you have existing UTM parameters to preserve.

4

Verify template deployment

Use the Google Ads URL preview to test templates resolve correctly before running live traffic.

Offline conversion import

Once Hyros has lead records with gclid data, configure offline conversion sync in Hyros integrations under Google Ads. Map the conversion events you want to sync to conversion actions in Google Ads.

Conversion events you can sync:

  • SQL, qualified lead from CRM stage change.
  • Signed contract or retainer.
  • Collected payment with actual revenue value.
  • Booked appointment.
  • Phone call outcome, qualified call above a duration threshold. Call tracking →
  • Any custom downstream event from your CRM or payment processor.

90-day upload window. Google rejects conversions older than this. Full breakdown of the offline conversion payload →

Troubleshooting

What to Check When gclid Capture Is Failing

If your Google Ads attribution in Hyros shows lower than expected match rates, work through these checks in order.

1

Auto-tagging enabled

Google Ads → Account Settings. If disabled, gclid parameters are not appended and Hyros has nothing to capture. The most common root cause of zero gclid capture.

2

Tracking template applied correctly

Verify it is at the right level for each campaign type. Use the URL preview to test. The most common issue with mixed campaign types is a missing Shopping or PMax override.

3

Landing pages stripping parameters

Some landing page builders remove query string parameters as part of redirect logic. If the destination URL has gclid but the landing page URL does not, Hyros cannot capture it.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hyros replace Google Ads conversion tracking?

No. Hyros sends offline conversion data back to Google via the offline conversion import API, a separate data stream from standard Google Ads conversion tracking. Most setups run both simultaneously. Hyros creates its conversion actions as secondary by default, and you point campaigns at them through a custom goal so Smart Bidding bids on data that reflects actual revenue or qualified pipeline rather than on-site proxy events like form submissions.

What happens if auto-tagging is disabled?

If auto-tagging is off, Google does not append the gclid parameter to destination URLs. Hyros has nothing to capture. Every click from Google Ads lands on your site without a click identifier, meaning no conversions from that traffic can be synced back to Google via offline conversion import. Enabling auto-tagging is the single most important prerequisite for the integration to function.

Do I need a different tracking template for Performance Max campaigns?

Yes. Performance Max campaigns take this template at campaign level, and Shopping campaigns take it on each product group: {lpurl}?gc_id={campaignid}&g_special_campaign=true. Search and Display use the standard template on their ad groups. Hyros's automatic setup does not add the special template, so it has to be applied by hand.

How long does Hyros store gclid data before syncing conversions to Google?

Hyros syncs conversion data on a schedule based on when the conversion event occurs in your CRM or payment processor. Google imposes a 90-day upload window, meaning Hyros can only send a conversion back to Google if the original click is less than 90 days old. For businesses with long sales cycles, this window is a real constraint worth factoring into your conversion event configuration.

Can I run Hyros alongside Triple Whale or another attribution tool on the same Google Ads account?

Yes, with the manual setup: Hyros's automatic setup replaces any parameters already on your ads, including those used by Triple Whale, Wicked Reports, Northbeam, and similar tools. Confirm by running the URL preview test in Google Ads after applying the template to verify all parameters are appending correctly and none are being overwritten.

Sources

Official Pages Referenced

Google Ads Help: About auto-tagging, Guidelines for importing offline conversions. Hyros: Google Ads integration guide.

Free Tracking Audit

Configuring Hyros Google Ads Integrations Since 2019

A correctly configured Google Ads integration is the prerequisite for everything else in Hyros-based bidding. LGG Media is a Hyros Certified Agency and has built integrations across search, Shopping, and Performance Max campaigns at $100K+/day spend.

For advertisers spending $100K+/month. No cost, no obligation. A person reads every submission.

Request a Discovery Call →

Disclosure: LGG Media is a Hyros Certified Agency. We earn a commission when a client subscribes to Hyros through us. It does not change what we recommend.