---
title: "Partner tracking: utm_source tags vs referring domains"
description: "Partner visits can be credited either by a **utm_source** tag on the link or by the referring domain. Tagged links are the more reliable of the two. **Why…"
url: "https://homerunner.io/docs/what-s-the-difference-between-utm-source-tags-and-referring-domains-for-partner/"
updated: "2026-10-26"
category: Booking engine and checkout
---

# Partner tracking: utm_source tags vs referring domains

Partner visits can be credited either by a **utm_source** tag on the link or by the referring domain. Tagged links are the more reliable of the two.

**Why this happens.** Some redirects and some in-app or privacy-focused browsers drop the referring domain. A visit that arrives that way counts as direct and credits nobody. A tag on the link survives all of these cases.

When a link has both a tag and a referring domain, the tag wins.

Still stuck? [Contact the HomeRunner team](https://homerunner.io/contact/) with your site address and what you tried, and we take it from there.