FREE TOOL

URL Parser & Query Splitter

Break down any URL into its components. Extract UTM parameters, query strings, and path segments instantly.




Paste Multiple URLs (one per line)



What Is URL Parsing?

URL parsing is the process of breaking a web address into its structural components: protocol, hostname, path, query parameters, and fragment. For analytics professionals, parsing URLs is essential for understanding campaign tagging, landing page performance, and data quality.

When you analyze landing pages in GA4 or Looker Studio, the raw page_location dimension contains the full URL including all parameters. Parsing helps you separate the content path from the tracking metadata, making it easier to group pages and audit UTM hygiene.

URL Structure Reference

Component Example Description
protocol https:// The scheme used to access the resource
hostname www.example.com The domain name or IP address
port :8080 Network port (optional, defaults vary by protocol)
pathname /blog/article-name Path to the specific resource on the server
search ?utm_source=google&ref=nav Query string with key-value parameters
hash #section-2 Fragment identifier pointing to a page section

Why URL Parsing Matters for Analytics

UTM AuditExtract and validate UTM parameters across all your landing page URLs to catch tagging errors before they corrupt your data.
Landing Page GroupingStrip query parameters to group page_location values by content path, avoiding inflated page counts from parameter variations.
Redirect DebuggingParse redirect chains to identify where parameters get dropped or modified during the redirect sequence.
Cross-Platform ConsistencyVerify that campaign URLs are structured consistently across Google Ads, Meta, email platforms, and affiliate partners.

Best Practices

\u2713 DO
  • Keep UTM values lowercase to avoid case-sensitivity splits in reports
  • Use consistent separators (hyphens or underscores, not both)
  • Strip unnecessary parameters before analyzing landing page performance
  • URL-encode special characters in parameter values
  • Audit UTM coverage monthly using batch URL parsing
\u2717 DON’T
  • Put PII (emails, phone numbers) in URL parameters \u2014 they end up in analytics
  • Use spaces in UTM values (use hyphens or underscores instead)
  • Mix utm_source=Facebook with utm_source=facebook (case matters in GA4)
  • Forget the fragment (#) is not sent to the server in analytics hits
  • Assume all platforms preserve URL parameters through redirects

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The fragment (hash) portion of a URL is never sent to the server, so GA4 does not capture it in page_location by default. If you need to track hash changes (common in single-page apps), you need to send custom events via GTM or gtag.js when the hash changes.

Some redirect implementations strip query parameters during the redirect. This is especially common with URL shorteners (bit.ly preserves them, but some custom shorteners don’t) and marketing automation platforms. Always test your redirect chain end-to-end with UTM parameters attached.

Yes. GA4 treats utm_source=Google and utm_source=google as two different sources. This is one of the most common UTM hygiene problems. Always use lowercase for all UTM values and enforce it in your UTM builder tools.

In GA4/Looker Studio, use the page_path dimension instead of page_location \u2014 it strips the hostname but keeps the path. For parameter stripping, create a calculated field that extracts everything before the “?” character. This tool’s “Clean URL” output gives you exactly that.

Most browsers support URLs up to 2,048 characters. GA4 truncates page_location at 1,000 characters. Google Ads final URLs are limited to 2,048 characters. If your UTM-tagged URLs approach these limits, consider shortening campaign names or using a URL shortener that preserves parameters.

Yes. All URL parsing happens in your browser using JavaScript’s built-in URL API. No data is sent to any server. Your URLs never leave your device.