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Tracking App Store Campaigns with CT and PT Parameters

Updated today

When using Flowcodes to drive app downloads, you likely want to know which specific code or marketing campaign resulted in a "Convert" (a download).

While standard UTMs work for web tracking, Apple uses Campaign Tokens (ct) and Provider Tokens (pt) to attribute app installs within App Store Connect Analytics.

This article will show you how to find these tokens and append them to your Flowcode links.

What are CT and PT Parameters?

  • PT (Provider Token): This is a unique identifier for your Apple Developer account. It is static—once you find it, it stays the same for all your campaigns.

  • CT (Campaign Token): This is a custom string you create to name your campaign (e.g., Summer_Flyer_2026 or NYC_Store_Launch).

When these are added to an App Store URL, Apple can track exactly which marketing effort led a user to click "Get" in the App Store.

Phase 1: Locating your Provider Token (PT)

To track campaigns, you must first find your unique Provider Token in App Store Connect.

  1. Log in to App Store Connect.

  2. Go to App Analytics.

  3. Select your App from the list.

  4. Click on the Sources tab at the top, then select Campaigns.

  5. Click Generate Campaign Link.

  6. Follow the prompts to select your app. Once the link is generated, look at the URL. Your PT is the 6-digit number following pt=.

Note: You only need to do this once. Save this number!

Phase 2: Creating your Campaign Token (CT)

Unlike the PT, you can make the CT whatever you like. However, it must follow these rules to track correctly:

  • Max Length: 40 characters.

  • Characters: Use letters, numbers, and underscores. Avoid spaces or special symbols.

  • Case Sensitivity: Newsletter and newsletter will show up as two different campaigns in your data.

Phase 3: Building your Tracking Link

Now, you will append these tokens to your App Store URL. A standard App Store URL looks like this:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id123456789

To add tracking, add a ? (if there isn't one already) followed by your tokens: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id123456789?pt=123456&ct=Flowcode_Campaign_01

Phase 4: Implementation in Flowcode

Once your link is built, follow these steps to put it into action:

  1. Create a Flowcode: In the Flowcode platform, select Scan to URL.

  2. Paste the URL: Paste your full tracking link (including the pt and ct) into the Destination URL field.

  3. Test: Scan the code. It should take you directly to your app's page in the App Store.

Where to view your results

After your Flowcode has been scanned and users start downloading the app, your data will appear in App Store Connect:

  • Navigate to App Analytics > Sources > Campaigns.

  • You will see your CT value listed as a campaign name, showing exactly how many App Units (downloads) it generated.

Common Troubleshooting:

  • Data Latency: Apple Analytics data can take up to 72 hours to appear in the dashboard.

  • Missing PT: If you forget the pt parameter, Apple will not attribute the ct campaign data.

  • Web vs. App: Remember, these parameters only track downloads in the iOS App Store. For Android tracking, you would use UTM parameters and the Google Play Referrer API.

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