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Google Tag Manager Server Side Tracking: Why This Data MATTERS to Every Business

4.5/5The video provides comprehensive, practical information about server-side tracking with Google Tag Manager, explaining both technical implementation and business benefits. The conversational interview format makes complex concepts accessible while still covering substantial technical depth, though the production quality appears to be relatively simple.
Google Tag Manager Server Side Tracking And Why This Data MATTERS to every business.

In this informative interview, Blake Beus explains the importance of server-side Google Tag Manager (GTM) and how it can provide more accurate tracking for your advertising efforts. The video, conducted in English, dives deep into the technical aspects while making the concepts accessible to business owners and marketers. Blake explains that traditional Google Tag Manager was created to give marketers control over marketing code without constantly involving developers. The server-side version takes this a step further by allowing businesses to own their data collection infrastructure. Instead of data flowing through Google's servers (third-party data), it flows through servers that the business controls (first-party data). The key advantage of server-side GTM is maintaining data accuracy in an increasingly privacy-focused world. With iOS 14+ and other privacy initiatives blocking third-party tracking, server-side tracking on your own domain provides a solution that respects privacy regulations while still collecting valuable marketing data. This approach is more transparent to users about who owns their data and how it's being used. Blake walks through the technical implementation, explaining that Google Cloud Platform offers a free tier that's sufficient for most businesses. He emphasizes that while setting up server-side GTM requires more technical knowledge than the standard version, it's approachable for those willing to learn or work with someone technical. The conversation highlights how the marketing and technical worlds are increasingly merging, requiring collaboration between marketers and engineers to create effective solutions. As privacy regulations continue to evolve, businesses that own their data infrastructure will have a significant advantage. At gdpr-server-tracking.eu, we believe this video provides excellent insights into why server-side tracking is becoming essential. While Google Cloud Platform is mentioned as a hosting option, our EU-based server-side GTM hosting offers additional benefits for businesses concerned about GDPR compliance. Our solution provides bare metal hosting in Finland with no third-party access via cloud provider subprocessors, eliminating data transfer risks. We also offer enhanced features for hashing and filtering sensitive data, all at competitive pricing. By choosing our platform, businesses can implement the same powerful server-side tracking capabilities discussed in the video while ensuring the highest level of data privacy compliance and cost efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about "Google Tag Manager Server Side Tracking And Why This Data MATTERS to every business."

Server-Side Google Tag Manager (sGTM) allows businesses to own their data collection infrastructure by processing tracking data through servers they control rather than through third-party domains. This is important because it provides more accurate tracking in an increasingly privacy-focused world where third-party tracking is being blocked by browsers and operating systems like iOS 14+.

First-party data is collected directly by your business through your own domain, making it clear to users who owns their data. Third-party data is collected by external domains (like Google's servers), which is less transparent to users and increasingly blocked by privacy initiatives like iOS 14+ and various browser restrictions.

Setting up server-side GTM requires more technical knowledge than standard GTM, including understanding of server provisioning and domain configuration. However, Google Cloud Platform offers a free tier with potential one-click provisioning, making it approachable for those willing to learn or work with someone technical.

Google Cloud Platform offers a free tier that's sufficient for 99.9% of use cases according to Google's documentation. For businesses concerned about GDPR compliance, specialized EU-based hosting services like gdpr-server-tracking.eu offer competitive pricing with additional privacy features.

iOS 14+ blocks tracking based on third-party domains like googletagmanager.com. Server-side GTM on your own domain (e.g., tracking.yourdomain.com) isn't on Apple's block list, allowing your tracking to continue functioning while respecting user privacy through transparent first-party data collection.

EU-based hosting like gdpr-server-tracking.eu provides servers physically located in the EU (Finland), eliminating data transfer risks under GDPR. Additionally, these specialized services offer enhanced features for hashing and filtering sensitive data, with no third-party access via cloud provider subprocessors.

Server-side GTM requires maintenance of the server operating system, security updates, and code updates. While Google Cloud Platform may offer some automatic update services, specialized hosting providers like gdpr-server-tracking.eu can handle this maintenance for you, allowing you to focus on your marketing efforts.

Businesses that implement server-side tracking now will have a significant advantage as privacy regulations continue to evolve. Owning your data infrastructure ensures you maintain accurate marketing data while respecting privacy regulations, giving you an edge over competitors who haven't adapted to these changes.