linkExternalFilters

AppMeasurement offers the ability to automatically track links that point outside your site. If trackExternalLinks (AppMeasurement) or clickCollectionEnabled (Web SDK) is enabled, an image request is sent to Adobe right as a visitor clicks a link to leave your site. The linkExternalFilters and linkInternalFilters variables determine what links are considered internal/external.

If this variable contains a value, automatic exit link tracking behaves like an allow list. If a link click does not match any linkExternalFilters values, it is not considered an exit link. The entire URL is examined against this variable. If linkLeaveQueryString is enabled, the query string is also examined.

If you use both linkInternalFilters and linkExternalFilters simultaneously, the clicked link must match linkExternalFilters and not match linkInternalFilters to be considered an exit link. If a clicked link matches both exit link and download link criteria, the download link type takes priority.

Exit links in the Web SDK

Links automatically qualify as an exit link if the link target domain differs from the current window.location.hostname. The Web SDK does not offer any configuration variables to modify automatic exit link detection. If you need to customize the domains that qualify as an exit link, you can use custom logic in the onBeforeEventSend callback.

See Automatic link tracking in the Web SDK documentation for more information.

Outbound Links - Track using the Adobe Analytics extension

The Track field is a comma-separated list of filters (usually domains) under the Link Tracking accordion when configuring the Adobe Analytics extension.

Place filters that you want to always consider external in this field. Separate multiple domains by a comma without a space.

s.linkExternalFilters in AppMeasurement and the Analytics extension custom code editor

The s.linkExternalFilters variable is a string containing filters (such as domains) that you consider exit links. Separate multiple domains using a comma without spaces.

s.linkExternalFilters = "example.com,example.net,example.org";

Consider the following implementation example as if it were on adobe.com:

<script>
  s.trackExternalLinks = true;
  s.linkExternalFilters = "example.com,example.net";
</script>

<!-- The following link is NOT considered an exit link, even though the link is outside adobe.com -->
<a href = "example.org">Example link 1</a>

<!-- The following link is an exit link because it matches the linkExternalFilters allowlist -->
<a href = "example.com">Example link 2</a>