Channel classifier

Amplitude's channel classifier offers customers the possibility to define acquisition channels that will enable them to efficiently track their traffic sources. This article covers frequently asked questions about the channel classifier.

Who can create and modify channel definitions?

Channels classifier is currently only available to Growth and Enterprise users, and you must be an org admin or manager to create a channel and modify channel definitions.

Are users notified if a change is made to a channel classifier? Users and other admins aren't currently notified if any changes are made. Any reports sourced from the channel classifier are automatically updated to reference the most recent definition the next time a report is loaded or refreshed.

Where can users use these acquisition channels after they are defined?

Channels are stored as properties and can be queried through any analytics chart type (including Data Tables). You can find your channels by going Properties in Amplitude Data.

What kind of properties can be used in configuring a channel? Any (event, user, group) property can be used and mixed and matched in the definition. The channel classifier will inherit the combination of the property types.

Will the properties be defined retroactively at the time a channel is created?

Yes. When a new channel is created, all existing charts will update retroactively to reflect the new definition the next time the report is refreshed.

How can I copy channel classifiers across projects in Amplitude Data?

Select a channel classifier and click Copy To, then specify the project you want to copy it to.

How can I upload a channel definition?

It currently isn't possible to upload a channel classifier definition. If you would like to create a channel classifier, you must manually create a column for every individual property you want to include in the definition.

Why can't I see my channels in a Data Table?

If you are using our pre-defined sample Channel Classifier, you'll have to ensure that you are tracking the utm_medium and referring_domain properties in order for this to generate results in your Data Table. If you're not tracking these, you'll either have to remove the column containing them from the Channel Classifier or instrument them as properties to start tracking them.

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Is the referring domain captured by Amplitude, or does this value need to be passed by the customer?

Referring Domain and any other properties that can be tracked for attribution purposes (i.e. UTM parameters, etc.) need to be sent from the customer to Amplitude.

Should I be setting channel classifiers to include initial_utm and utm_ properties so that initial and most recent campaign traffic gets bucketed correctly?

Unless you would like to create a specific "Initial Channel", you shouldn't use or mix any of the initial_{} properties. It's best to focus on the standard/non-initial ones.

Can I input a regex formula when creating a channel classifier?

You can enter in the regex as free-form text when creating a channel classifier.

Is the referring domain captured by Amplitude, or does this value need to be passed by the customer?

Referring Domain and any other properties that can be tracked for attribution purposes (i.e. UTM parameters, etc.) need to be sent from the customer to Amplitude.

Why am I seeing '(none)' values when grouping by my channel in a Data Table?

You are seeing '(none)' values because you are querying on an event that occurred before that user property was ever sent. When using Amplitude, you are querying on the value of a user or event property at the time of the event. The '(none)' showing for the property in the Data Table when grouping by your channel means that there is no value for that property.