FourLook
For Google Ads reviewers and customers

Google Ads Transparent Click Tracking

This page documents how FourLook handles Google Ads clicks for transparent click tracking review. It explains the request path, the role of redirection_url, and the difference between the FourLook tracker endpoint and the first-party GGADS bridge.

How the redirect works Google Ads Tracking Docs About Fourlook Corporation

Tracking flow

For Google Ads transparent click tracking, the production intent is:

1. Google AdsUser clicks an ad that uses a FourLook tracking template or first-party GGADS URL.
2. FourLook TrackerFourLook validates the request, records tracking information, and prepares the next-hop destination.
3. Advertiser Landing PageThe visitor is redirected to the destination URL declared by the tracking request.

Strict transparent Google modes redirect only to the declared redirection_url. They do not apply Split routing, offer rotation, cloaking destination changes, device/geo rules, or fallback destinations.

How the redirect works

When a user clicks an advertising link configured through FourLook, the request is received by the FourLook tracking endpoint. FourLook records the applicable tracking and attribution information and then redirects the user to the destination URL specified by the tracking request.

Immediate next-hop destination

Google’s transparent click tracker guidance emphasizes clarity around the immediate next-hop destination. In FourLook’s strict transparent Google modes, that next hop is the value of the redirection_url parameter.

Example using redirection_url

https://click.fourlook.com/gads-click?redirection_url=https%3A%2F%2Fadvertiser.com%2Flanding

In this example:

  • The tracker receives the click at /gads-click.
  • The declared destination is https://advertiser.com/landing.
  • After validation and logging, FourLook redirects to that declared destination.
  • FourLook may append its own click correlation parameter fl_click_id.

FourLook /gads-click endpoint

FourLook provides a dedicated transparent click tracker endpoint:

https://click.fourlook.com/gads-click

Template shape:

https://click.fourlook.com/gads-click?redirection_url={lpurl}&gclid={gclid}&gbraid={gbraid}&wbraid={wbraid}&campaignid={campaignid}&adgroupid={adgroupid}&creative={creative}&device={device}&matchtype={matchtype}&keyword={keyword}

Validation behavior

  • redirection_url is required.
  • It must be an absolute HTTPS URL.
  • Double-encoded absolute URLs are rejected.
  • Localhost, IP hosts, unsafe characters, and invalid hosts are rejected.
  • Accepted clicks are logged for reporting.
  • The redirect target remains the declared redirection_url.

Google must still review and approve the tracker domain and path. FourLook does not claim automatic certification or guaranteed approval.

First-party GGADS bridge

Customers can also upload a FourLook-generated index.php file to an advertiser-controlled HTTPS path such as:

https://brand.com/GGADS/

Google Ads template example:

https://brand.com/GGADS/?redirection_url={lpurl}&gclid={gclid}&gbraid={gbraid}&wbraid={wbraid}&campaignid={campaignid}&adgroupid={adgroupid}&creative={creative}&device={device}&matchtype={matchtype}&keyword={keyword}

The uploaded GGADS file:

  • Validates redirection_url locally
  • Sends the click to FourLook server-to-server with a per-campaign token
  • Receives the destination from FourLook
  • Redirects the visitor using HTTP 302

GGADS is also configured for strict transparent Google use: FourLook logs the click and returns the declared redirection_url with fl_click_id. Split, rotation, cloaking, device/geo redirects, and fallback destinations are not applied to this Google bridge click.

What information is recorded

Depending on the request and campaign configuration, FourLook may record:

  • Click ID / FourLook click identifier
  • Timestamp
  • IP address
  • User agent / device / browser information
  • Referrer
  • Destination URL / redirection_url
  • Campaign and tracking parameters
  • Google identifiers such as gclid, gbraid, and wbraid when present

See the Privacy Policy for retention, rights, and customer responsibilities.

Policy and abuse controls

FourLook’s Acceptable Use Policy prohibits malicious redirects, phishing, malware, deceptive landing pages, circumvention of advertising-platform policies, fraudulent traffic, unauthorized tracking, and illegal activities. Accounts, domains, or campaigns that appear abusive may be suspended or restricted.

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