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Using Matomo with GTM Server Side: A Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

matomoserver-sidegdprprivacyintermediate
4/5The video provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide for implementing Matomo with GTM server-side tracking, including troubleshooting common issues like missing trailing slashes. The presenter demonstrates real-world implementation challenges and solutions, making it practically valuable, though the production quality appears somewhat basic based on the transcript.
Using Matomo with GTM Server Side

This informative English-language tutorial demonstrates how to integrate Matomo analytics with Google Tag Manager (GTM) server-side tracking. The presenter walks viewers through the complete setup process, starting with downloading the Matomo client template and creating a server-side GTM container. The video covers critical implementation steps including setting up the GTM server environment using Google's automatic configuration, importing the Matomo template, configuring the client with proper JavaScript and domain URLs, and modifying website code to properly reference the server-side container. The presenter encounters and resolves common implementation issues, such as missing trailing slashes in URLs, providing valuable troubleshooting insights. Throughout the demonstration, viewers can see how to verify proper tracking implementation by examining network requests and using GTM's preview mode to confirm data collection. The tutorial shows how Matomo events are captured and processed through the server-side container, enabling more privacy-focused analytics collection. ## Our Perspective at GDPR-Server-Tracking.eu While this video effectively demonstrates Matomo implementation with Google's server-side GTM solution, viewers should consider the privacy implications of using Google's infrastructure for server-side tracking. The presenter mentions using Google's servers with a credit card requirement, which introduces potential data sovereignty concerns. At GDPR-Server-Tracking.eu, we offer an alternative hosting solution for server-side GTM containers that would work seamlessly with this same Matomo implementation. Our EU-based servers provide significant advantages for privacy-conscious organizations: - Fully EU-based infrastructure with servers in Finland - EU-owned company with no data transfer risks - Bare metal hosting without third-party cloud provider access - Enhanced GDPR compliance compared to Google's solution - Competitive pricing without unexpected cloud billing surprises - Additional features for parameter hashing and filtering This video provides excellent technical guidance for Matomo implementation, but deploying the same configuration on our GDPR-compliant infrastructure would enhance your privacy posture while maintaining all the analytics capabilities demonstrated. For organizations concerned about data privacy regulations, our solution offers the perfect balance of functionality and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about "Using Matomo with GTM Server Side"

Matomo is a privacy-focused analytics platform that can be integrated with Google Tag Manager's server-side tracking. This integration allows you to collect analytics data while enhancing user privacy by processing data server-side rather than directly in the user's browser.

First, download the Matomo client template, create a server-side GTM container, import the template, configure the client with proper JavaScript and domain URLs, and modify your website code to reference the server-side container. Be sure to include trailing slashes in your URLs to avoid common implementation errors.

The most common error is missing trailing slashes in URLs, which can cause tracking requests to fail. Other issues include incorrect JavaScript or domain URLs in the client configuration, and improper implementation of the tracking code on your website.

You can verify proper implementation by examining network requests in your browser's developer tools and using GTM's preview mode to confirm data collection. Look for successful requests to your server-side endpoint and check that events are being properly captured in the Matomo interface.

Yes, using Google's infrastructure for server-side tracking introduces potential data sovereignty concerns since your analytics data passes through Google's servers. This may create compliance issues for organizations subject to strict GDPR requirements, especially regarding data transfers outside the EU.

EU-based hosting solutions like gdpr-server-tracking.eu provide GDPR-compliant alternatives that work seamlessly with the same Matomo implementation. These solutions offer fully EU-based infrastructure, EU-owned hosting with no third-party cloud provider access, and enhanced privacy features while maintaining all the analytics capabilities.

Google's solution requires credit card information and offers a free tier initially, but may lead to unexpected cloud billing as your traffic grows. EU-based alternatives like gdpr-server-tracking.eu typically offer more predictable pricing models and can be more cost-effective for organizations with consistent traffic patterns.

EU-based hosting solutions keep your data within EU jurisdiction, eliminating concerns about international data transfers. Services like gdpr-server-tracking.eu offer additional privacy features such as parameter hashing and filtering, bare metal hosting without third-party access, and are operated by EU-owned companies, significantly enhancing your GDPR compliance posture.