So, you send a bunch of emails, but you’re never quite sure who’s actually reading them, clicking your links, or (let’s be honest) ignoring you. Maybe you’ve tried basic tracking, but all you get is a vague “someone clicked your email.” If you want real answers—like who clicked, what they did next, and whether it was all worth it—this guide is for you.
We’re digging into how to use Canddi tracked links to actually see what’s working in your email campaigns. Not just more data for the sake of data, but actionable info that’ll help you stop guessing and start improving. No fluff, no hype—just how to set it up, what to pay attention to, and what to skip.
Why bother with tracked links in emails?
Before you get into the weeds, let’s get real for a second. Most email platforms offer “click tracking” out of the box, but it’s usually anonymous. You might see a spike in clicks, but you don’t know which customer is interested, or what they did after clicking. That’s where Canddi’s tracked links come in—they aim to tie email clicks to real people, not just faceless stats.
What you get:
- See exactly who clicked which link in your email
- Follow what that person does on your site after clicking
- Build actual profiles, not just open/click rates
- Spot warm leads, not just “engaged segments” (whatever that means)
But: - More tracking isn’t always better. There’s a point where it’s just noise. - Some people get weirded out by deep tracking. Use it thoughtfully.
Step 1: Set up Canddi and connect your email tool
Let’s get the basics sorted. If you haven’t already, you’ll need a Canddi account and a website with their tracking code installed. (If you don’t have that, do it first—you’re dead in the water otherwise.)
What to do:
-
Install Canddi on your site.
Drop their tracking script into your site’s header. Test it’s working by visiting your site in an incognito window—Canddi should log a new visitor. -
Pick your email platform.
Canddi works with most email tools (Mailchimp, HubSpot, etc.). You don’t need a direct integration—just the ability to add or edit links. -
Get your tracked link template.
Inside Canddi, look for the “Tracked Links” or “Email Campaign Links” section. This is where you’ll generate special URLs to use in your emails.
Pro tip:
Don’t overthink integrations. As long as you can edit your URLs in your email tool, you’re good.
Step 2: Build your tracked links
Here’s where most people mess up—they use the same tracked link for every email, or they don’t bother customizing anything. If you want to know which email, campaign, or even which button is working, get specific.
How to do it:
- In Canddi, generate a tracked link for each email or campaign you send.
- Label the link with something you’ll recognize later (e.g., “June_Newsletter_DemoButton”).
- If you’re sending to segments or running A/B tests, make unique links for each version.
What matters:
- The tracked link should point to the exact page you want them to land on.
- The tracking code will append identifiers to the URL—don’t edit those.
- Use plain, descriptive names for campaigns. Don’t get cute or cryptic; you’ll regret it.
What NOT to do:
- Don’t reuse the same tracked link across multiple emails. You’ll lose track of what drove the click.
- Don’t add tracking to every single link in a long email. Pick the ones that matter—main call to action, maybe one or two secondary links.
Step 3: Add the tracked links to your emails
This is the easy part—just swap out the regular URLs in your email with the Canddi-tracked versions.
How:
- In your email editor, highlight the text or button you want to link.
- Paste in your Canddi tracked link instead of the regular URL.
- Double-check that the link works (send a test email and click through).
Quick checks:
- The link should redirect to your site and load the right page.
- You shouldn’t see any error or broken page. If you do, go back and check the tracking link in Canddi.
Heads up:
Some email clients (especially Outlook) can mangle long or complex URLs. If you have issues, use a URL shortener, but make sure it doesn’t strip out Canddi’s tracking parameters.
Step 4: Track the results (and avoid common traps)
After your campaign goes out, here’s where Canddi can actually earn its keep.
What you can see:
- Who clicked which link, with actual names if you have them in your CRM or previous Canddi data
- What those people did on your site—did they fill out a form, request a demo, or just bounce?
- Which emails or campaigns generated real engagement vs. just noise
What to ignore:
- Vanity metrics. If you’re getting click reports but not seeing any follow-up action (signups, purchases, replies), that click means nothing.
- Obsessing over open rates. Open tracking is less reliable every year (thanks, Apple Mail privacy updates and friends). Focus on tracked clicks and real actions.
Make this actionable:
- Use the data to follow up with warm leads. If someone clicked your pricing link and spent 10 minutes on your site, that’s worth a call.
- Refine your email content or targeting based on who actually engages, not who just opens.
- Drop campaigns that aren’t moving the needle—don’t keep sending just because you can.
Step 5: Avoid rookie mistakes with tracked links
A lot of folks trip over the same issues—here’s how to skip them:
Don’t:
- Blast your entire list with tracked links just to see what happens. Start with a segment or a campaign you’re already invested in.
- Track every single click in your email. It’s overkill and makes your reports unreadable.
- Forget about privacy. Some recipients don’t love being tracked, and in some regions (like the EU), you need to be up-front about it.
Do:
- Let people know you use tracking, especially if you’re in regulated industries.
- Test your emails before sending—click every tracked link in a test email, check Canddi for the visit, and make sure nothing breaks.
- Keep your tracked links organized. Use consistent naming, and don’t be afraid to archive old campaigns in Canddi.
Pro tip:
If you notice a lot of “ghost clicks” (bots or email scanners triggering tracking), you’re not alone. Most platforms can’t fully block this, but Canddi usually filters out obvious bot activity. Still, don’t chase every click—look for patterns.
What works (and what doesn’t) with Canddi tracked links
What works: - Identifying real people who clicked and what they did next—not just raw numbers - Pinpointing which emails actually drive action (not just opens or clicks) - Getting a shortlist of warm leads for your sales team
What doesn’t: - Trying to track every possible action. You’ll drown in data and lose sight of what matters. - Expecting 100% accuracy. Some people use privacy blockers, and bots still slip through. - Treating tracking as a substitute for good content. If your emails suck, tracked links won’t save you.
Keep it simple and keep iterating
Here’s the bottom line: Canddi tracked links are a solid tool for making your email campaigns smarter—but only if you use them intentionally. Start with a clear goal, track what matters, and don’t let yourself get buried in data you’ll never use. Test, tweak, and repeat.
And remember: the best campaigns are the ones you can actually learn from and improve, not just the ones with the fanciest tracking. Stay curious, keep it simple, and make every email count.