Append a member's identity profile variable to a recruitment link

Generate member-specific links that identify a member by an ID from an external system.

Prerequisites:
You can append Identity Variables to:
  • Test links
  • Live links
  • Custom links
Tip: Use memberid if you want to identify members without exposing unique identifying information in the links.
Example

You want to use a loyalty card account number to recruit members of your loyalty program to your community.

To do this:

  1. Create an identity profile variable. Give the identity profile variable the same name as the account number field in your external CRM system.
  2. Create a new survey link, and append the account number identity variable to the link.
After you distribute your recruitment survey:
  • If the account number is found, the participant is directed to the portal.
  • If the account number is not found, the participant is guided through the recruitment process.
Note: Appending an identity variable to a recruitment link automatically records the member's value. You do not need to add a hidden question to your survey.
  1. In the Links tab, beside a recruitment link, click a link in the Name column.
    Result: The Link page appears.
  2. Select the Identity Variable check box.
    Result: The Identity Variable list is activated.
  3. From the Identity Variable list, select the name of the Identity profile variable.
    Note: You can only append one identity variable to the link at a time.
  4. Publish the link:
    Option Description
    Live Link Click Generate Live Link.
    Note:
    • Only Admins, and Power Users that have the Can schedule distributions permission enabled for their user account, can generate live links. Otherwise, the Generate Live Link button is disabled.
    • By clicking Generate Live Link, you change the status of the link from Pending to Open.
    Custom Link
    1. Type the URL extension.
    2. Click Confirm URL.
    Result: The identity variable (?_i=[%insert_value%]) is appended to the link.
  5. Replace the variable place holder text with the member's identity variable value
    Example
    https://example.alidalabs.com/c/a/UniqueSurveyId?_i=IdentityVariableValue
    Note: The ?_i=IdentityVariableValue portion should not be removed from the link. If removed, the link will not track member details and cannot prevent a single respondent from responding multiple times.
    Result:
    • If the identity profile variable matches that of a current member, the application will map participation information back to that member.
    • If the identity profile variable is not found, the application will map participation to a new nonmember.
    • If an error page appears when participants click the link, the identity profile variable is blank or the default value ([%insert value%]).
  6. Optional: Append a survey answer value to the activity link.
    1. Type an ampersand after the identity variable (&).
    2. Type the question name.
    3. Type an equals sign (=).
    4. Type the answer value.
    Example
    https://example.alidalabs.com/c/a/UniqueSurveyId?_i=IdentityVariableValue&QuestionName=AnswerValue
    For more information, see Append answer values to an activity link.