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Remove trackers with NordVPN’s URL trimmer

Get rid of URL tracking parameters and keep your online habits to yourself.

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What is URL trimming and how does it work?

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URL trimming is the practice of removing tracking parameters tacked on to URL links by many websites. These extra bits of code dictate where you’re going and what you’re telling about yourself when you get there. The NordVPN URL trimming feature automatically snips off unhashed tracking parameters added to links, protecting your privacy as you browse the internet.

How do I use the NordVPN URL trimmer?

Simple — all you have to do is turn NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature on. The URL trimmer will automatically start removing tracking parameters from links.

01
Open the NordVPN app
Launch the NordVPN app on your device and log in with your credentials.
02
Click the shield
Select the shield icon on the left-hand side to open the Threat Protection section.
03
Turn it on
Toggle Threat Protection on to enable URL trimming and other protective measures.
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To use Threat Protection without URL trimming, click “Settings” in the Threat Protection section and switch “Tracking URLs” off.

Why you should trim URLs

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The benefit of URL trimming is simple — increased privacy. URL tracking parameters can reveal which site you came from, what kind of link you clicked, and even which keywords you used in a previous search. Marketers, web analysts, or online spies can use this information to profile you, analyze your habits, and identify your interests.

In addition, tracking parameters make the URL significantly longer and more dangerous to share. Copying and pasting such a link not only results in a wall of text but also reveals all the tracking information to anyone you give it to.

Is a site using URL tracking parameters?

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For unhashed URLs, finding out if they have any tracking parameters is easy — simply look for a question mark (“?”) in the address bar or the link you’re about to click. If it’s there, the URL contains one or more tracking parameters, each separated by an ampersand (“&”). However, keep in mind that some URLs might have hashed trackers even without a question mark.

Clean URL example
https://example.com/

Tracking parameters in URL
https://example.com/page?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=
birthday&utm_content=image

Frequently asked questions

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