Setting up your task URL and name correctly is the foundation of effective content tracking. Learn best practices for naming and URL configuration.
Task URL Configuration
The URL field specifies which webpage you want to track. Enter the complete URL including the protocol (https://). Our system will periodically visit this URL to check for changes.
URL Requirements
- Must include protocol:
https://orhttp:// - Should be a direct link to the content page, not a redirect
- Avoid URLs with session parameters or tokens that expire
- Use clean, permanent URLs for best results
URL Examples
Good URL Examples:
https://example.com/product/12345https://news.example.com/article/breaking-newshttps://shop.example.com/deals
Avoid These URL Patterns:
example.com/page(missing protocol)https://example.com?session=abc123(session tokens)https://example.com/temp-link(temporary URLs)
Task Name Best Practices
A descriptive task name helps you quickly identify and manage your tracking tasks, especially when you have many active tasks.
Naming Tips
- Be specific and descriptive
- Include the site name or domain
- Mention what content you're tracking
- Keep it under 50 characters for easy scanning
Naming Examples
Good Names
Amazon - iPhone 15 PriceTechNews - Breaking HeadlinesBlog - New Chapter ReleasesStore - Product Stock Status
Poor Names
Task 1(too vague)Price(not descriptive)test(not meaningful)Track this page on the website(too long)
Pro Tip: Naming Convention
Create a consistent naming pattern like: Site Name - Content Type - Specific Item
Example: eBay - Price - Nintendo Switch OLED
Handling URL Parameters
Some websites use URL parameters (query strings) that may change or include tracking identifiers. Here's how to handle them:
Static Parameters - Keep Them
If parameters are required to load specific content, include them in your URL.
https://example.com/search?category=electronics&sort=price
Tracking Parameters - Remove Them
Remove marketing and tracking parameters like utm_source, fbclid, etc.
https://example.com/page?utm_source=email
https://example.com/page
Session Parameters - Avoid Them
URLs with session IDs or authentication tokens will cause tracking failures when they expire.
Quick Reference
URL Checklist
- ✓ Includes https:// or http://
- ✓ Direct link to content
- ✓ No session tokens
- ✓ Clean URL structure
- ✓ Accessible without login (or use cookies)
Naming Checklist
- ✓ Descriptive and specific
- ✓ Includes site/domain name
- ✓ Mentions tracked content
- ✓ Under 50 characters
- ✓ Follows naming convention
Next Steps
Once you have your URL and name configured, the next step is to specify which element on the page you want to track using CSS selectors.
Learn About CSS Selectors
