How to Connect Google Analytics 4 with Server-Side Google Tag Manager

This guide explains how to connect Google Analytics 4 (GA4) with a Server-Side Google Tag Manager container. The setup allows analytics data to be sent through your own tracking server before being forwarded to Google Analytics.

Requirements

• A website with a Web Google Tag Manager container installed
• A deployed Server-Side GTM container
• A tracking subdomain (example: tracking.yourdomain.com)
• A Google Analytics 4 property

Step 1 — Create a GA4 Property

1. Open Google Analytics
2. Go to Admin
3. Select Create Property
4. Choose Google Analytics 4
5. Copy the Measurement ID

Step 2 — Configure the Web GTM Container

1. Open your Web Google Tag Manager container
2. Click Tags → New
3. Select Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration
4. Enter the Measurement ID
5. Set Transport URL to your server container domain

https://tracking.yourdomain.com

Step 3 — Set the Trigger

Select:

All Pages

Click Submit → Publish.

Step 4 — Configure the Server Container

1. Open the Server GTM container
2. Go to Clients
3. Verify that the GA4 Client is enabled

Step 5 — Create the Server Tag

1. Click Tags → New
2. Select Google Analytics: GA4
3. Enter your Measurement ID

Step 6 — Trigger

Client Name equals GA4

Step 7 — Publish

Click Submit → Publish.

Step 8 — Test the Setup

1. Open GTM Preview mode
2. Visit your website
3. Check the Server container debugger
4. Verify events appear in GA4 Realtime reports

Your Google Analytics 4 tracking is now running through Server-Side Google Tag Manager.