Server Side Tagging Explained: Providers & GDPR Compliance - Video Summary

Server-side tagging is an advanced method where data collected from a website is first sent to your own server for processing before being forwarded to third-party tools, unlike client-side tagging where data goes directly from users' browsers to external services. This three-step process (client-side collection, server-side processing, secured data distribution) gives organizations complete control over what data is shared, allowing for better filtering and privacy protection.

Server-side tagging enhances GDPR compliance through improved privacy protection, data minimization, better transparency and consent management, and enhanced security measures. By processing data on your own server first, you can precisely control which data is forwarded to third parties, ensuring you only share data for which users have explicitly given consent.

The main providers include Google Tag Manager Server-Side (US), Tealium (US), Segment (US), and Taggrs (Netherlands). Each offers unique features with varying degrees of privacy protection and GDPR compliance capabilities, though it's important to note that most are US-based companies.

This depends on your technical knowledge, complexity of requirements, and GDPR compliance expertise. For smaller organizations with simple needs and strong technical skills, a DIY approach may work, but larger organizations with complex data processing needs or limited privacy expertise should consider hiring specialists to ensure proper setup and compliance.

The physical location of servers is crucial for GDPR compliance because data transferred to non-EU countries (particularly the US) may not receive adequate protection under EU law. EU-based servers operated by EU companies provide stronger legal protection for personal data and help avoid the compliance risks associated with international data transfers.

EU-based hosting like gdpr-server-tracking.eu provides stronger GDPR compliance by keeping data within the EU on servers owned by EU companies, eliminating risks associated with US cloud providers. This approach offers enhanced legal protection, additional privacy features for hashing and filtering sensitive data, and helps avoid potential legal challenges related to transatlantic data transfers.

Implementing server-side tagging requires server infrastructure (either self-hosted or cloud-based), technical expertise in server management and data processing, and proper configuration of data flows. While you can set this up yourself, specialized hosting providers can offer pre-configured environments with enhanced privacy features, saving time and reducing technical complexity.

Server-side tagging can improve website performance by reducing the number of scripts loaded directly in the user's browser, resulting in faster page load times and better user experience. Additionally, it provides more reliable data collection since it's less affected by ad blockers and browser privacy settings that might interfere with client-side tracking.