When sending emails via Action Network, you may encounter the following error message:

"You appear to have a link with an Action Network ID attached. This typically looks something like 'can_id=' or 'click.actionnetwork.org' in your URL. People who click it will be recognized as you and may take action as you instead of themselves. (See the help article titled 'Linking to actions' for more details.) We recommend you find that link and remove it before you send this email, replacing it with a clean, direct link to the action you're linked to. Click Ok to save anyway and Cancel to continue editing."

This error occurs because a link in your email contains a tracking parameter including an activist ID. If sent, recipients clicking on the link could be mistakenly recognised as you within Action Network, potentially taking actions (e.g., registering for an event) on your behalf. In this guide we'll go over why this happens, and how to resolve the error.

Why Does This Happen?

The error typically occurs when you:

• Copy and paste links directly from your browser's address bar while logged into Action Network.
• Include links from emails sent to you personally (e.g., test emails).
• Accidentally use the wrong version of an action URL with tracking parameters attached.

Action Network uses tracking parameters to associate actions with specific accounts, which is why these URLs should not be shared publicly or included in emails.

Steps to Resolve the Action Network ID Attached Error

Important: This guide assumes you're using the Drag & Drop Email Editor as recommended by Green Party Digital Support. To set this as your default, please check this guide: How To Set Drag & Drop For Email, And Query Mode For Reports As Your Default.

Follow these steps to correct the issue and ensure your email is ready to send safely:

1. Read through your email carefully checking for any links.
2. Click on any links in the email
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Click on the link icon. This should already be highlighted and looks like to links in a chain.
   

   
   

   
   
   
4. Check the URL is correct and doesn't include any the can_id argument or click.actionnetwork.org.
   

   
   

   
   
   
5. If the link is incorrect, includes a can_id argument or click.actionnetwork.org URL then replace it with the correct link and click on the Save button.
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   
6. Repeat the steps above for each of the links in your email. You'll then be able to send your email safely!

Best Practices for Avoiding This Error

To prevent this error from occurring in the future, follow these best practices:

1. Always Use Public URLs
   When sharing links to actions, events, or forms, use the URL provided in the Share tab of the action's management page.

2. Test Emails Before Sending
   Always send a test email to yourself and review links to ensure they work as expected.

3. Avoid Copying Links from Emails or Browsers
   Copying links directly from your email inbox or browser while logged in may include personal tracking information. Use public links instead.