# Lead source, UTM and origin channels

> How watsi records where each lead came from (Meta ad, UTM, Google Ads or portal) and how to create trackable WhatsApp links per campaign with Origin channels.

Source: https://docs.watsi.ai/en/crm/lead-source-utm

**watsi stores where each lead came from and shows it in the "Source" card of their record in Contacts: the Meta ad that opened WhatsApp, the UTM parameters, the Google Ads click or the portal (Inmuebles24, Lamudi, Proppit).** For media that leave no trace on their own — a portal, a sign, a flyer — you create trackable WhatsApp links in **Origin channels**. That way you know which campaign brings you visits and can filter Contacts by source.

## What watsi records on its own

Open a contact in **Contacts** and look for the **Source** card. Depending on how they arrived, you'll see:

| Source                      | What it shows                                                                                                                                |
| --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Meta ad that opens WhatsApp | **Ad source**: campaign, ad, ad ID (copyable), ad link and **Clicked the ad on**                                                             |
| Traffic with UTM parameters | **Traffic source (UTM)**: Source, Medium, Campaign, Content and Term (`utm_source`, `utm_medium`, `utm_campaign`, `utm_content`, `utm_term`) |
| Google click                | **Origin: Google Ads** with the campaign and the click ID                                                                                    |
| Meta Lead Ads forms         | The form's campaign and ad                                                                                                                   |
| Portals and others          | A source label: Inmuebles24, Lamudi, Proppit, Walk-in, Referral, Imported…                                                                   |

Organic or direct contacts don't show the card.

> **Tip**
  In **Contacts → Filters → Origin** you filter by source, by any of your origin channels or by
  **Organic / Direct**.

## Create trackable links with Origin channels

**Origin channels** generates trackable WhatsApp links per campaign. You'll find it in the sidebar, in the marketing group, or at `/integrations/origin-channels`. You need a connected WhatsApp number.

### Create a channel
    Click **New channel** and give it a **Channel name** and a **Keyword** (for example,
    `inmuebles24`). A channel groups one medium: a portal, your signs, a trade show.
### Create a campaign inside the channel
    Click **New campaign**, enter the **Campaign name** and the **Message phrase (unique)**: the
    text the customer will send on WhatsApp. The phrase must include the channel's keyword and
    differ from your other campaigns. Optionally add a **Reference code**.
### Share the link or the QR code
    Use **Copy link** or **Show QR code**. The link is short and keeps working even if you later fix
    the message, so an already-printed QR code doesn't break.

When someone opens the link and sends the phrase, the contact is recorded with that channel and campaign as its source.

> **Note**
> Archiving a channel also archives its campaigns, and their phrases are freed for reuse.

## Related

- [Contacts (CRM)](/crm/contacts)
- [Funnel board](/crm/board) — send conversion events to Meta or Google Ads when a lead moves forward.
- [Properties](/crm/properties)

## FAQ

### How do I know which ad a WhatsApp lead came from?

If the lead wrote from a Meta ad that opens WhatsApp, their record in Contacts shows "Ad source" with the campaign, the ad, the ad ID and the date they clicked. watsi records it on its own, with no setup.

### Can I track leads that come from portals like Inmuebles24 or from a sign with a QR code?

Yes. In Origin channels you create a channel per portal or medium and a campaign with a unique phrase. watsi gives you a short WhatsApp link and a QR code; when the customer sends that phrase, the contact is tagged with that source.

### Can I filter my contacts by source?

Yes. In Contacts, open Filters → Origin and pick the source, one of your origin channels or "Organic / Direct".