Monitoring Settings and Tracking Links

Tracking Links - What They Are & How to Use Them

Use tracking links and source IDs from Settings -> Monitoring -> Social Tracking.

# Tracking Links - What They Are & How to Use Them

Use tracking links and source IDs from Settings -> Monitoring -> Social Tracking.
Use tracking links to capture data from specific pages, profiles, hashtags, channels, and review listings.
Kommon Poll guide video

A tracking link is a URL, user ID, username, hashtag, or review listing reference that you add to Kommon Poll so it can monitor activity from that specific source.

Common examples include:

  • A Facebook page or group URL
  • An Instagram user ID, hashtag, or location URL
  • A TikTok user ID or hashtag
  • A review listing on Google Reviews, Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Agoda, Trustpilot, Google Play, or the App Store
  • A public Telegram channel

Tracking links are especially important for platforms where network-wide search is limited or where you need reliable monitoring of official pages, campaign assets, or high-value communities.

Facebook Pages and Groups

  1. Open the public page or group in your browser.
  2. Copy the full URL from the address bar.
  3. Confirm it is the correct page or group you want to monitor.

Examples:

  • https://www.facebook.com/Nike/
  • https://www.facebook.com/groups/iphoneuserslk/

Hashtags should be entered without the leading #.

Instagram User IDs, Hashtags, and Locations

  1. Find the Instagram profile, hashtag, or location you want to track.
  2. Copy the required tracking value.
  3. Enter it using the format required by Kommon Poll.

Examples:

  • User ID: kommon_poll
  • Hashtag: adidasoriginals
  • Location: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/213456789/cafe-colombo/
Enter Instagram User IDs exactly as shown in Kommon Poll (for example, kommon_poll). Enter hashtags without the leading #.

TikTok User IDs and Hashtags

  1. Find the TikTok account or hashtag you want to monitor.
  2. Copy the User ID or hashtag.
  3. Enter the value into Kommon Poll.

Examples:

  • User ID: samsung
  • Hashtag: fashiontips
Enter only the TikTok User ID (without @ or the profile URL). Enter hashtags without the leading #.

Telegram Channels

  1. Open the public Telegram channel.
  2. Copy the channel URL.

Example:

  • https://t.me/ColomboUpdates

Review Sites

  1. Open the public business, hotel, restaurant, app, or product listing.
  2. Copy the review listing URL.

Examples:

  • Google Reviews: https://www.google.com/maps/place/ABC+Hotel/reviews/
  • Tripadvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293962-d2031234-Reviews-Ocean_View_Hotel-Colombo.html
  • Booking.com: https://www.booking.com/hotel/lk/cinnamon-red.html#tab-reviews
  • Agoda: https://www.agoda.com/the-kingsbury-colombo/reviews.html
  • Trustpilot: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.apple.com
  • Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whatsapp
  • App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ebay-buy-sell/id282614216
  1. Go to Sidebar -> Settings -> Monitoring -> Social Tracking.
  2. Click Add Tracking or use the source entry area.
  3. Select the platform.
  4. Paste the URL, User ID, hashtag, or review listing URL.
  5. Choose the tracking start mode (if available):
  • Backfill 30 Days attempts to collect recent history (up to 30 days where supported). This may consume credits or cooldown quota.
  • From Now Only begins collecting new mentions immediately without retrieving historical data.
  1. Click Track or Add.
  2. Verify that the source appears in the tracking list.
Backfill is not unlimited historical collection. Availability depends on platform limitations, permissions, API support, and your subscription plan.

Choosing the Start Mode

Use Backfill 30 Days when:

  • You need recent historical data for a new dashboard.
  • The source was important before it was added to Kommon Poll.
  • You have sufficient tracking credits or cooldown quota.
  • The platform supports historical collection for that source.

Use From Now Only when:

  • You only need future mentions.
  • You're tracking a temporary campaign or event.
  • You want to conserve tracking credits.
  • Historical mentions are not required.

If you're unsure, use From Now Only for lower-priority sources and reserve Backfill 30 Days for official pages, major campaigns, key hashtags, crisis monitoring, or important review listings.

Check the Source After Adding It

After adding a tracking source:

  1. Confirm it appears in the tracking list.
  2. Verify the platform and source name.
  3. Check whether the status is Active, Accepted, or Pending.
  4. Allow time for collection to begin.
  5. Open the related project.
  6. Verify that mentions from the source appear in your results.

If data is not being collected, check that:

  • The source is public.
  • The URL or User ID is correct.
  • The platform supports that source type.
  • Your team has sufficient quota.
  • The source has been linked through Social Linking, if required.

Social Tracking Options

Within Sidebar -> Settings -> Monitoring -> Social Tracking, you'll also find:

  • Manual Tracking - Manually add a mention or post that cannot be collected automatically.
  • Requests - Submit a request for a new source or integration.

These are features within Social Tracking, not separate sidebar sections.

Manual Tracking

Use Manual Tracking when an important mention cannot be collected automatically.

Typical situations include:

  • A platform temporarily restricts collection.
  • The content isn't available through supported APIs.
  • A stakeholder wants a specific post included.
  • A one-time mention is needed for investigation or reporting.

Manual Tracking supplements automated monitoring and should only be used when necessary.

Requests

Use Requests when you need Kommon Poll to review a new source or integration.

Include:

  • Platform name
  • Source URL or User ID
  • Reason for the request
  • Whether the source is public or requires authorization
  • The project or team that requires the source

Providing complete information helps speed up the review process.

Best Practices

Focus on Relevant Sources

  • Track official brand pages and accounts.
  • Track important campaign hashtags.
  • Track high-value review listings.
  • Avoid monitoring unrelated or overly broad communities unless required.

Review Sources Regularly

  • Remove outdated campaign sources.
  • Add new official accounts and hashtags.
  • Keep review listings and communities up to date.

Combine Tracking with Queries

Tracking links define where Kommon Poll collects data.

Your project's Boolean query determines which mentions are included in your analysis.

Troubleshooting

If tracking doesn't work as expected:

  • Confirm you're using the correct team.
  • Verify the URL, User ID, hashtag, or review listing.
  • Confirm the source is public or linked through Social Linking.
  • Check whether the platform supports the selected source type.
  • Verify your tracking credits or cooldown quota.
  • Try From Now Only if Backfill is unavailable.
  • Submit a Request if the source requires additional integration support.