Simo Ahava Server-side Tagging in Google Tag Manager, step by step
Server-side tagging changes where your data is processed: requests go to an endpoint you control before reaching GA4, ads platforms or other vendors. The product page presents the course as in-depth training on the benefits and implementation of server-side tagging in GTM, aimed at digital marketers, analytics professionals and developers, with attention to data accuracy, privacy compliance and website performance. It starts with a curriculum, requirements and an elevator pitch, then you create the server container, provision a tagging server and test the endpoint.
Getting Started continues with the GA4 client, the GA4 tag, extra detail through variables and a GA4 web tag that uses the send-to-server-container setting. You explore every setup in preview mode and learn the Request, Tags, Variables, Event Data and Console tabs. The next section upgrades the environment with a custom domain in Google Cloud, a cost breakdown, an upgrade script, and ways to reduce computation, network egress and logging. Browse related training in our Ecommerce courses category.
Later sections customise the endpoint with gallery and custom templates, then move into advanced work: anonymising the request origin, proxying a Google Tag Manager web container, a catch-all client, IP and geolocation API, preflight requests, the BigQuery API, a Facebook tag with the GA4 client, installing on AWS, Google Ads, Floodlight and consent mode, Cloud Run and Firestore lookups. Combine it with Simo Ahava Google Analytics 4 in Big Query, and see our updates.
At a glance
| At a glance | Server-side Tagging in Google Tag Manager |
|---|---|
| Course | Simo Ahava – Server-side Tagging in Google Tag Manager |
| Author | Simo Ahava |
| Format | Digital files (instant-access download, no subscription) |
| Video lessons | 74 |
| Files in total | 122 |
| Total size | 1.3 GB |
| Topic | Server-side tagging with Google Tag Manager |
| Audience | Marketers, analytics professionals, developers |
| Structure | 5 sections from intro to advanced customisations |
| Platforms covered | Google Cloud, App Engine, Cloud Run, AWS |
| Extras | Templates, notes, resources and shell commands |
| Delivery | Manual delivery after crypto payment confirmation |
What you learn in Server-side Tagging in Google Tag Manager
- Understand server-side tagging, its benefits and how to implement it in Google Tag Manager
- Create a server container and provision a tagging server
- Test the endpoint and use preview mode to debug requests
- Configure the GA4 client and GA4 tag, and send data from a GA4 web tag
- Set up a custom domain and map it to App Engine
- Understand the cost breakdown and reduce computation, egress and logging
- Import templates from the gallery or other sources
- Build your own client and tag templates and test them
- Anonymise the request origin and proxy a Google Tag Manager web container
- Deploy on Cloud Run or AWS and handle consent mode, with privacy and performance in mind
Technical Deep Dive
Simo Ahava – Server-side Tagging in Google Tag Manager
A technical course for digital marketers, analysts and developers who want to run Google Tag Manager server-side, taught by Simo Ahava. Five sections cover setup, custom domains, cost control, templates and advanced customisations such as Cloud Run, AWS, BigQuery and consent mode, with video lessons, PDF resources, templates and configuration guides. Digital download.
📂 01-Intro · 4 videos
- 01-Curriculum
- 02-Suggested Schedule
- 03-Requirements
- 04-Elevator Pitch
📂 02-Getting Started · 21 videos
- 📁 01-Setup The Environment
- 01-Create The Server Container
- 02-Notes
- 02-Provision A Tagging Server
- 03-Notes
- 03-Test The Endpoint
- 04-Key Takeaways
- 📁 02-Create The First Client
- 01-Google Analytics GA4 Client
- 02-Explore The Client With Preview Mode
- 03-Key Takeaways
- 📁 03-Create The First Tag
- 01-Google Analytics GA4 Tag
- 02-Add Extra Detail With Variables
- 03-Explore The Tag With Preview Mode
- 📁 04-Configure The Browser
- 01-Create A GA4 Web Tag
- 02-Utilize The Send To Server Container Setting
- 03-Explore The Setup With Preview Mode
- 📁 05-Preview Mode In Detail
- 01-The Request Tab
- 02-The Tags Tab
- 03-The Variables Tab
- 04-Notes
- 04-The Event Data Tab
- 05-Notes
- 05-The Console Tab
- 06-Key Takeaways
📂 03-Upgrade The Environment · 13 videos
- 📁 01-Reserve And Map A Custom Domain
- 01-Custom Domain Settings In Google Cloud
- 02-Resources
- 02-Verify A New Custom Domain
- 03-Map The Domain Name To App Engine
- 03-Resources
- 04-Update The Setup
- 05-Key Takeaways
- 📁 02-Upgrade The Server
- 01-Explore The Google Cloud Project
- 01-Resource
- 02-Cost Breakdown
- 03-Resource
- 03-Run The Upgrade Script
- 04-Key Takeaways
- 📁 03-Optimize Costs
- 01-Notes
- 01-Reduce Computation
- 02-Reduce Network Egress
- 03-Notes
- 03-Reduce Logging
📂 04-Cusomize Your Endpoint · 16 videos
- 📁 01-Import New Templates
- 01-Import Templates From The Gallery
- 02-Import Templates From Other Sources
- 02-Note
- 03-Key Takeaways
- 📁 02-Build A Client Template
- 01-Create A New Template
- 01-Notes
- 01-Template
- 02-Notes
- 02-What Is The Template For
- 03-Add New Functionality
- 03-Template
- 04-Notes
- 04-Test The Template
- 05-Key Takeaways
- 📁 03-Build A Tag Template
- 01-Resource
- 02-Add More Options To The Template
- 02-Template
- 03-Notes
- 03-Test The Setup
- 04-Key Takeaways
- 📁 04-Consolidate Incoming Traffic
- 01-Utilize The GA4 Client
- 02-Create A Universal Analytics Tag
- 03-Manipulate The Tag Data
📂 05-Advanced Customizations · 20 videos
- 📁 01-Advanced Applications
- 01-Anonymize The Request Origin
- 01-Resources
- 01-Template
- 02-Note
- 02-Proxy Google Tag Manager Web Container
- 03-Catch-all Client
- 03-Template
- 04-IP & Geolocation API
- 04-Notes
- 04-Template
- 05-Notes
- 05-Preflight Requests
- 05-Template
- 06-Notes
- 06-Template
- 06-The BigQuery API
- 07-Resources
- 07-Simmer Client
- 07-Template
- 08-Facebook Tag With GA4 Client
- 08-Notes
- 09-Install The GTM Server In Amazon’s AWS
- 09-Resources
- 10-Google Ads, Floodlight, And Consent Mode
- 10-Resources
- 11-Cloud Run Deployment
- 11-Resources
- 11-Shell Command
- 12-Firestore Lookups 1
- 12-Firestore Lookups 2
- 12-Resource
- 📁 02-Tips & Tricks
- 01-Setup Endpoint For Multiple Domains
- 02-Create A Policy For The Tagging Server
- 02-Notes
- 02-Policy Script File
- 03-Google Analytics Server-managed Client ID
- 03-Notes
- 04-Estimate Required Instances
- 05-More Logging Tips
- 06-Manually Install Tagging Server
- 07-Debug Requests Sent Without Preview Cookies
- 07-Notes
Server-side tagging vs other tag management courses
Tag management training varies from beginner to technical. This course targets the server side.
| Course | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| This course | Server container, Google Cloud and templates | Technical implementers |
| Analytics Mania Google Tag Manager Course Bundle | Google Tag Manager | Learning tag management |
| Benjamin Mangold Google Tag Manager | Google Tag Manager | Marketers new to GTM |
| Simo Ahava Google Analytics 4 in Big Query | GA4 data and SQL | Analysing collected data |
Who should take this Google Tag Manager course
- Digital marketers and analysts who already use Google Tag Manager and want to go server-side
- Developers who deploy and maintain tagging infrastructure
- Agencies that manage tracking for several domains
- Teams that care about control over data and request handling
- Marketers who need to understand costs before moving to a server container
- Covers setup, cost control and advanced customisation
- Template lessons for building clients and tags
- Includes Google Cloud, Cloud Run and AWS deployment topics
- Key takeaways and notes in the lessons
- Small download of about 1.3 GB
- Self-paced digital files, so you must build the setup yourself
- Technical content that assumes familiarity with Google Tag Manager
- Requires a Google Cloud project, which has its own running costs
- Cloud interfaces change, so some screens may differ
Server-side tagging: common questions
What does the course cover?
It covers server container setup, GA4 client and tag, custom domains, cost control, templates and advanced customisations across five sections, with video lessons, PDFs and templates.
Do I need Google Tag Manager experience?
Yes, it helps. The course has a requirements lesson, and the content is technical, so check it before starting.
Does it include cost guidance?
Yes. The Upgrade The Environment section has a cost breakdown and lessons on reducing computation, network egress and logging.
Does it cover AWS or Cloud Run?
Yes. Advanced Customizations includes installing the server in Amazon AWS and a Cloud Run deployment.
How is it delivered?
As digital files. Pay with crypto and delivery is handled manually after confirmation.
If you manage tracking seriously, server-side tagging is a skill worth owning, and this course covers it from first container to multi-domain setups. The mix of setup, cost control, templates and troubleshooting makes it useful for both learning and later reference.
Order it from Courses On Budget; a coupon is available on the coupon page. Download the files and begin with the curriculum and requirements lessons.
Digital files. Crypto payment only. Fast delivery is handled manually after payment confirmation. Download links remain available for 7 days; save your files locally.
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