Have you ever noticed strange additions to URLs when you share or click links on Instagram? This mysterious parameter is called “igsh” and has recently appeared in many Instagram links.
But what exactly is igsh and why is it there?
The igsh parameter appears to work similarly to other trace parameters such as fbclid or gclid. These parameters help platforms like Instagram better understand user behavior by tracking user interactions and clicks.
Just as fbclid links to a source URL, igsh appears when a user clicks or shares a link directly to Instagram. While Instagram hasn’t officially explained its purpose, the parameter’s existence means it will play an important role in tracking how users engage with shared content for analytics or advertising purposes.
What is the function?
igsh stands for “Instagram Share Identifier” and acts as a tracking ID, allowing Instagram to track links shared across platforms.
Whenever a user shares a post, reel, or other form of content that contains links, Instagram can use these identifiers to track the path of links that are shared across devices, accounts, and locations.
Similar to how the fbclid parameter works on Facebook, igsh can be used to collect data on how well your content performs when shared organically by users.
How is igsh similar to other trace parameters?
These tracking parameters provide advertisers with valuable data to help them measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and monitor user engagement.
gclid is specifically designed to exchange data between Google Ads and Google Analytics, and fbclid is used to track clicks on Facebook ads, while igsh seems to focus on measuring organic engagement rather than paid ads.
Nevertheless, it plays a similar role in helping platforms gather information about user behavior and the distribution of shared content.
Why does Instagram use igsh?
Instagram hasn’t made an official statement about igsh, but the platform is increasingly focusing on analytics and user data to help businesses and content creators understand their audience.
These tracking parameters can be used by Instagram to analyze the effectiveness of shared content, improve user experience and optimize advertising strategies.
Also, with the growing integration of the Instagram and Facebook ecosystems, you can use igsh on both platforms to create a more integrated following across both networks.
What can i do for igsh?
If you are concerned about igsh parameters appearing in shared URLs, there is currently no direct way to remove them.
When a link is shared through the Instagram platform, it is automatically added. However, if you don’t want to include this tracking ID, you can manually remove it from the URL.
If you run analytics, it may be useful to set up filters in Google Analytics or other tracking tools to exclude igsh parameters. This will prevent clutter in your reports and help you track organic traffic more accurately.
What’s next igsh?
Like fbclid, Instagram igsh is likely to survive as the platform continues to improve its tracking and data analysis capabilities.
For now, we can only speculate on the overall purpose of igsh, but as Instagram continues to grow, these tracking parameters will likely play an important role in the platform’s data-driven ecosystem.