Mistake: source macros not replaced, sent as literal text

Mistake: source macros not replaced, sent as literal text

Failure mode: you copy a tracking template from another source and paste it without changing the macros. Your link carries {campaign_id} as literal text because that source uses a different syntax, and every report column fills with the placeholder string.

Fix — checklist:
— Each traffic source has its own macro syntax: {{...}}, [...], %%...%%, or named tokens. Never assume they match.
— Pull the macro list from the source's own documentation for the exact campaign type you are running.
— After building the link, send one real click and inspect the landing URL — every macro must be a populated value, not its placeholder.
— Watch for case sensitivity: some sources reject {Campaign_ID} but accept {campaign_id}.
— Keep per-source link templates saved in your tracker so you never hand-edit macros under pressure.

Verify: in your report, no column should contain raw braces, brackets, or the macro name as a value.

Save this SOP. Run this before every launch.