> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sourcemedium.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How does channel mapping work in the SourceMedium Dashboard?

> Standard channel labels, how to customize them, and how Shopify Flow tags feed channel rules.

This page is the how-to for channel labels and the rules you maintain. [Channel mapping](/docs/help-center/core-concepts/data-definitions/channel-mapping) explains how SourceMedium decides `sm_channel` and `sm_sub_channel`. [Create custom channel mappings](/docs/data-inputs/configuration-sheet/how-can-i-create-order-channels-and-subchannels) is the step-by-step for the Channel Mapping tab.

Custom rules can use UTMs, order source, tags, discount codes, and SKUs. If no custom rule matches, SourceMedium assigns a standard reporting category.

<Info>
  If you see a channel that you did not manually create, it usually came from SourceMedium's standard mapping logic or from source platform data. Review the channel definitions below before changing your Configuration Sheet.
</Info>

## Standard channel definitions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Online DTC">
    * Primary ecommerce sales channel.
    * Includes:
      * Standard Shopify online store orders
      * Performance marketing channels (Meta, Google, etc.)
      * Email marketing
      * SMS marketing
      * Any orders not matching other criteria
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Amazon">
    * Amazon Seller Central orders
    * Amazon Advertising
    * Amazon DSP (Display advertising)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Retail">
    * Physical retail store sales
    * Point of sale transactions
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Wholesale">
    * B2B orders
    * Bulk orders
    * Faire marketplace orders
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Mirakl">
    * Marketplace sales through Mirakl platform
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Partners / Affiliates">
    * Influencer collaborations
    * Partnership orders
    * GRIN platform orders
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Exchanged">
    * Order exchanges
    * Reshipments
    * Replacement orders
    * These orders are separated so exchanges and replacements do not look like ordinary Online DTC demand.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Excluded">
    * Orders explicitly marked to be excluded from standard reporting
    * Not included in standard reporting
    * Not calculated in LTV models
    * Still visible when filtering by Channel
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## When rule changes appear

Configuration Sheet changes are picked up during regular refreshes. Recent sheet edits may not be visible until the dashboard or warehouse table using those rules has refreshed.

If a rule is still not reflected after the expected refresh window, work through [Troubleshooting a mapping issue](/docs/help-center/core-concepts/data-definitions/channel-mapping#troubleshooting-a-mapping-issue) to confirm the rule inputs, then escalate with a concrete example.

## Automated channel tagging with Shopify Flow

Shopify Flow can tag orders automatically so channel mapping stays consistent. Build a flow from one of the triggers below, then add a Channel Mapping rule that matches on the tag.

### Common Flow triggers

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Order Created">
    * Tag orders based on:
      * Order source
      * Payment gateway
      * Shipping method
      * Customer tags
      * Product collections
      * Discount codes used
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Order Tagged">
    * Add additional tags based on existing tags
    * Remove conflicting tags
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Example Flow scenarios

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Wholesale Orders">
    Tag orders when they use wholesale customer tags, discount codes, or other wholesale-specific signals.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Exchange Orders">
    Tag orders when they represent exchanges, replacements, or reshipments.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Exclude Test Orders">
    Tag test, staff, or internal orders consistently so they can be separated from normal reporting.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Best practices for Flow automation

* Create flows for each major channel type.
* Use consistent naming conventions for tags.
* Document your Flow logic.
* Test flows with sample orders.
* Regularly audit flow effectiveness.

## Sales channel attribution

SourceMedium also records the sales platform or app on an order, including:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Ecommerce & Apps">
    * Shopify online store
    * Shop App
    * TapCart
    * Mobile apps (iOS/Android)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Subscription Platforms">
    * Shopify Subscription Contract
    * ReCharge
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Marketplaces">
    * Amazon via Shopify
    * Facebook/Meta
    * TikTok
    * Walmart
    * Instagram
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="B2B Platforms">
    * Fermat
    * Convictional
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Order Management">
    * Draft Orders
    * Global-e
    * Gorgias
    * ParcelLab
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Marketing & Affiliate Platforms">
    * GRIN
    * LTK
    * CartHook
    * AfterSell
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Best practices

### 1. Using exclusion rules

* Mark test, internal, or otherwise non-reportable orders consistently.
* Set up Shopify Flow to apply the right order labels when needed.
* Confirm excluded orders are still available for review when filtering by Channel.

### 2. Configuration sheet rules

* Use for brand-specific channel mapping needs.
* Create rules based on your unique business requirements.
* Rules can combine multiple conditions (UTMs, tags, etc.).

### 3. Channel analysis

* Use channel mapping for:
  * Performance analysis by channel
  * Channel-specific ROI calculations
  * Customer acquisition analysis
  * Marketing effectiveness measurement
  * Budget allocation decisions

### 4. Automated tagging

* Use Shopify Flow to maintain consistency.
* Regularly review and update automation rules.
* Monitor tag application for accuracy.

## Important notes

* Excluded orders will still be visible when filtering by Channel.
* Most orders are assigned to a standard ecommerce category if no more specific rule matches.
* These rules set the sales channel on an order (`sm_channel` and `sm_sub_channel`).
* Automated tagging through Shopify Flow helps maintain data consistency.

> For questions about your brand's channel mapping configuration or help setting up Shopify Flow automations, reach out to your account manager or [integrations@sourcemedium.com](mailto:integrations@sourcemedium.com).

## Related resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Channel mapping" icon="map" href="/docs/help-center/core-concepts/data-definitions/channel-mapping">
    How SourceMedium decides `sm_channel` and `sm_sub_channel`
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sales channel (sm_channel)" icon="store" href="/docs/data-transformations/order-segmentation/sales-channel">
    How channels are used in reporting
  </Card>

  <Card title="Order segmentation" icon="layer-group" href="/docs/data-transformations/order-segmentation/index">
    The other ways an order is classified
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.