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Why server-side tracking clicked for me (and might for you too)

Original: The Extensive Guide for Server-Side Tracking

May 25, 2025
12 min read
Guide
Intermediate
The extensive guide for Server-Side Tracking

Summary

Timo Dechau's end-to-end guide to server-side tracking from architecture to rollout.

Who This Is For

Analytics Engineers
Developers
Technical Marketers

Key Takeaways

  • How to design tracking plans that are platform-agnostic rather than frontend-focused
  • Why involving developers from day one leads to better tracking architecture decisions
  • When server-side tracking makes sense vs. when frontend tracking is still needed
  • How to implement tracking once in your API layer to cover multiple platforms (web, mobile, desktop)
  • Common roadblocks that prevent teams from adopting server-side approaches and how to overcome them

Tools & Technologies

Google Tag Manager Server-side Mixpanel Python SDK Google Analytics Frontend SDKs (web, iOS, Android, Windows)

Topics Covered

server-side-tracking gtm-server data-quality architecture