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# How to Set Up Server-Side Google Tag Manager with Hardal

Complete guide to deploying and configuring Server-Side Google Tag Manager using Hardal's infrastructure for improved tracking and performance.

Source: https://usehardal.com/server-side-google-tag-manager-hardal-setup
Published: 2025-12-11
Updated: 2025-12-11
Author: Emircan Uye

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Server-Side Google Tag Manager (sGTM) provides improved performance, better data control, and enhanced security. This guide shows you how to set it up using Hardal's infrastructure.

Server-Side GTM processes tags on a server instead of in the browser, offering:
- **Improved Page Speed:** Reduced client-side JavaScript
- **Better Data Quality:** Bypass ad blockers and browser restrictions
- **Enhanced Security:** Server-side data processing
- **Greater Control:** Manage data before sending to third parties
- **Privacy Compliance:** Better control over user data

Before starting, ensure you have:
- Active Hardal account with a configured signal
- Google Tag Manager account
- Existing web container (optional, but recommended)

Navigate to your Hardal dashboard and select your signal. Click **Server Side Hosts** in the left menu.

You'll see two URLs for your Server-Side GTM:
- **Tagging Server URL:** For production use
- **Preview Server URL:** For testing and debugging

![Screenshot: Server-Side GTM URLs displayed in Hardal dashboard](https://imge.usehardal.com/cdn/website/blog-post/server-side-google-tag-manager-hardal-setup/a6rtpqpjuc5xnsy1veoj.jpg)

**Copy the Tagging Server URL** - you'll need this later.

### Access Google Tag Manager

Go to [Google Tag Manager](https://tagmanager.google.com) and log in to your account.

### Create New Container

1. Click on your account name
2. Find your desired property
3. Click the three dots (⋮) next to your existing container
4. Select **Create Container**

![Screenshot: GTM account overview with Create Container option](https://imge.usehardal.com/cdn/website/blog-post/server-side-google-tag-manager-hardal-setup/cktblzc3d9x3gpzmhusk.jpg)

### Configure Container Settings

**Container Name:** Give it a descriptive name (e.g., "Server - Hardal" or "Company Website - Server")

**Target Platform:** Select **Server**

![Screenshot: Create container dialog with Server option selected](https://imge.usehardal.com/cdn/website/blog-post/server-side-google-tag-manager-hardal-setup/mdr3fll6zhviruusvpog.jpg)

Click **Create** to proceed.

GTM will ask how you want to provision your tagging server. You have two options:

### Option 1: Automatically provision (Not needed)
This uses Google Cloud directly - skip this option.

### Option 2: Manually provision tagging server (Choose this)
This allows you to use Hardal's infrastructure.

![Screenshot: Provisioning options with "Manually provision" selected](https://imge.usehardal.com/cdn/website/blog-post/server-side-google-tag-manager-hardal-setup/tc2yjykg7duynzsphnrn.jpg)

Select **"Manually provision tagging server"** and click **Next**.

GTM will display your **Container Config** - a long string of encoded data.

**Important:** Copy this entire configuration string. You'll need to send it to Hardal.

### Send Configuration to Hardal

Email the Container Config to Hardal support:
- **Email:** support@usehardal.com
- **Subject:** "Server-Side GTM Activation - [Your Signal Name]"
- **Include:** Your signal ID and the Container Config string

Hardal will activate your server container, typically within 1 business day.

After Hardal activates your container:

### Navigate to Container Settings

1. In Google Tag Manager, go to **Admin**
2. Under your server container, click **Container Settings**

![Screenshot: GTM Admin panel showing Container Settings](https://imge.usehardal.com/cdn/website/blog-post/server-side-google-tag-manager-hardal-setup/on68iwv5priuzqyro3pw.jpg)

### Add Hardal Server URL

1. Click **+ Add URL** in the Server Container URLs section
2. Paste the **Tagging Server URL** you copied from Hardal earlier
3. Click **Save**

![Screenshot: Container Settings with Add URL option and URL field](https://imge.usehardal.com/cdn/website/blog-post/server-side-google-tag-manager-hardal-setup/on68iwv5priuzqyro3pw.jpg)

Your configuration should now show:
- Container Config: Configured
- Server Container URL: Your Hardal URL

Now you can start adding tags to your server container:

### Common Server-Side Tags:

**Google Analytics 4:**
- Enhanced measurement
- E-commerce tracking
- Custom events

**Meta Conversion API:**
- Facebook Pixel events
- Enhanced matching
- Custom conversions

**Google Ads:**
- Conversion tracking
- Remarketing
- Enhanced conversions

Your Server-Side Google Tag Manager is now configured and running on Hardal's infrastructure, providing improved performance and enhanced data control for your analytics and marketing tags.

For a more detailed walkthrough, check out our step-by-step guide: [How To Set Up Server Side Google Tag Manager Via Hardal](https://youtu.be/ItwC9Byky5Q)