Server-side Google Tag Manager

Coming Soon!

Google Tag Manager - Server-side  |  Google for DevelopersGoogle for Developers

Server-Side e Google Tracking is well-documented at Google. This guide summarizes the steps. It is advised to review the Google documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date instructions.

1. Create a Server-Side Container

   • Log in to your Google Tag Manager

   • Click "Create Container" → Select "Server" as the target platform

   • Name the container and finish creation

2. Provision a Tagging Server

   1. Automatic (Recommended)

      • Use the GTM UI to set up on Google Cloud Run automatically

   2. Manual (Advanced)

      • Deploy the server container manually using Docker (on GCP, Manual (AWS, or another host))

      • Example Docker image: gcr.io/cloud-tagging-10302018/gtm-cloud-image:stable

3. Configure a Custom Domain (Recommended) [optional] When you first set up a tagging server, it is hosted on a domain provided by the cloud provider. When you use the default endpoint, it delivers data to the server container, but runs in a third-party context. To unlock the benefits of a first-party context, such as more durable cookies, your tagging server and your website have to run on the same domain.

   • Use a subdomain like metrics.yourfunneldomain.com

   • Update your DNS records to point to your tagging server

   • In GTM: Admin > Container Settings > Add URL → Add the custom domain

4. Add Server-Side Tags

   • Recommended:

     • Conversion Linker (All Pages)

     • Google Ads Conversion Tracking tag

   • Input your Conversion ID and Label from Google Ads

   • Trigger on appropriate events (e.g., "purchase", "sign_up")

5. Set Up Clients in the Server Container

   • The GA4 client is pre-installed to handle GA4 events

   • If you're using a GTM Web Container, add a "GTM Web Container" client and enter your container ID

   • Go to AnalyticsMania, to get an in-depth tutorial

6. Validate and Test

   • Use Tag Assistant to preview and test your server container

   • Confirm tags are firing correctly

   • Check for any errors in the console

7. Go Live

   • Publish the server container

   • Remove any duplicate tracking tags from your web container to avoid duplication

8. Configure CheckoutChamp

   1. Go to the funnel > Settings > Tracking Pixels

      1. add the custom domain from Step 3, if configured

      2. otherwise, add the GTM generated server URL

         • Default URL format using Cloud Run: https://[GOOGLE_CLOUD_PLATFORM_PROJECT_ID]-[GOOGLE_CLOUD_REGION_ID].a.run.app

   2. Save

   3. Publish the funnel