Web tracking introduction
In this short series you'll learn what you need to understand the modern tracking stack, from cookies and pixels to Consent Mode, UTM tags and server-side tracking. Whether you're just getting started or want a clearer picture of how the pieces fit together, it will help you make more conscious, data-driven decisions without getting lost in the jargon.
Why is web tracking so important?
Analytics and ads tracking is the foundation of modern ecommerce and online business. It tells you where your traffic comes from, how visitors behave on your site and what drives conversions. Without tracking, your ads can't optimise and you have very little insight into what's working. With the right setup, you can improve ad performance, increase ROI and serve your customers better.
And why is it so complex?
The landscape has changed quickly. Privacy regulations like the GDPR and CCPA set strict rules around user data and consent. Browser changes, such as Apple's Intelligent Tracking Prevention, restrict traditional tracking methods. And users move across devices and platforms, which makes it harder to stitch together a clear customer journey. Setting up accurate, reliable tracking is harder than ever.
Chapters
- Chapter 1
The basics of tracking
What events, pixels and tags are, how they work together, and the difference between tracking and tagging.
- Chapter 2
Advanced concepts
Why tag managers and the dataLayer exist, how they make ecommerce tracking reliable, and what UTM tags are for.
- Chapter 3
Cookies, banners and consent
How cookies and third-party cookies work, why cookie banners exist, and how Consent Mode passes the user's choice to your tags.
- Chapter 4
Conversions
What makes conversions different from other events, and how Enhanced Conversions and Advanced Matching use hashed customer data to link them to ads.
- Chapter 5
Server-side tagging and tracking
First-party tracking, Conversions APIs, server-side tagging and server-side tracking explained, and how they differ from each other.
Technical deep-dives
Google Consent Mode explained
What Google Consent Mode and Consent Mode v2 are, what they do and don't do, and how to install them with the Google tag or Google Tag Manager.
Google Tag Manager server-side explained
The four ways to use a server-side Google Tag Manager container, from serving gtm.js to full server-side tracking, with diagrams and what each one takes.