Lead Source vs Original Source
Lead source and original source both record where a contact came from, but at different grains. In HubSpot, original source is the first channel that brought a contact to you and never changes; lead source is usually a custom property capturing the origin of a specific lead or deal. Confusing them corrupts attribution.
Key takeaways
- Original source = the immutable first-touch channel, set once by HubSpot.
- Lead source is typically a custom field capturing a specific lead's origin.
- Keep them distinct or your attribution reporting breaks.
Original source in HubSpot
HubSpot sets Original Source automatically the first time it sees a contact — Organic Search, Paid, Direct, Referrals, and so on — and it never changes. It answers “how did this person first find us?” and is the backbone of source reporting.
Why people confuse them
Teams often create a custom “Lead Source” field and update it over time, then wonder why it disagrees with Original Source. The fix is clarity: Original Source is immutable first-touch; any editable “lead source” is a separate, deliberately-defined property.
Frequently asked questions
What is Original Source in HubSpot?
An automatic, unchangeable property recording the first channel that brought a contact to you, used for source attribution.
What's the difference between lead source and original source?
Original source is HubSpot's immutable first-touch channel; lead source is usually a custom, editable field for a specific lead's origin.
Can original source change?
No — HubSpot sets it once on contact creation and it stays fixed, which is what makes it reliable for reporting.
Related service: Fix source tracking in HubSpot