How to add a custom domain to the Google Tag Manager Server container

In this article, I will describe how to set up a custom subdomain within your Google Tag Manager server container. The main advantage of a custom subdomain inside the Google Tag Manager Server container is that it helps to bypass Intelligent Tracking Preventions, AdBlockers and increases cookie lifetime for users browsing in Safari. Pixels will be loaded from your subdomain and run as the first-party. 

Why Should You Use Custom Subdomain Inside Google Tag Manager Server Container?Copy link to this section

Google Tag Manager Server-side tagging allows moving out third-party tracking pixels off the website or app to the server-side environment.

Server-side tagging offers a few advantages over client-side tags:

1. Faster performance: Fewer tags are running on your website or app. It means less code runs inside the browser, improving your website speed.
2. More security: Data is better protected as it will be managed inside the server-side environment.

You have two option for tagging server URL:

• use tagging URL that was created for you and is hosted on our domain (stape.io)
• create a custom subdomain.

We recommend setting up a custom subdomain since with the custom subdomain you’ll enjoy the following benefits:

• Bypassing ITPs and AdBlockers;
• Extended cookie lifetime.

Tracking prevention doesn’t affect requests from your own domain. Your website will bypass AdBlockers and ITPs, giving the full data about your website visitors and conversions.

How to add Custom Subdomain Inside Google Tag Manager Server Container?Copy link to this section

First of all, you need to create and set up the Google Tag Manager server container. If you don’t have a server container follow this instruction.

1. Log in to your stape account, choose a container, scroll down and click Add domain.

2.Navigate to your DNS provider; for instance:

• GoDaddy
• Google Domains
• Hostgator
• Hover
• Namecheap
• Squarespace
• AWS
• Cloudflare

3. The below example will show how to add DNS setting in Cloudflare. Login to your account -> click on your site’s domain -> Click DNS -> Add record

4. Add these setting:

Type: A

Name: ss (or any other subdomain you prefer)

IPv4 address: IP address depends on the location of the servers. You can find the custom domain IP address in your stape.io account. 

TTL: Auto

Proxy status: disable

Your settings should look like this:

5. Once you have done, click Save.

6. Go to your app.stape.io account and add a custom domain. It should consist of the name that you added to Cloudflare and your domain. Click Save. After adding the domain, it passes through the verification process. It can take up to 72 hours. Once the domain is verified, the status will be changed to “Verified”

You can force stape to verify domain by clicking "revalidate domain" button near in sGTM container setting 

7. Once your GTM subdomain is added and verified, you should see the status Running.

8. Go to your Server Google Tag Manager Server container -> Admin -> Container Settings -> Change Tagging server URL to your subdomain. 

9. Modified Google Tag Manager code on your website with a new Tagging server URL to your subdomain. It should look like this:

10. Update tagging URL inside Google Analytics Tags or Google Analytics Variable inside your GTM web container. Open Google Analytics Tag -> More Settings -> Advanced Configuration -> Past your GTM subdomain inside Transport URL. 

That’s it! Now your GTM server container runs from your subdomain.

Frequently Asked Questions:Copy link to this section

1. It's been more than 72 hours, but my domain still not verified. 

First of all we recommend using one of free online DNS checkers to verify if DNS settings are correct. Stape team uses this tool by Google. All you need to do is add your custom domain and verify that A and CNAME records (in case you've enabled Global CDN) 

2. I've checked my DNS settings, it's correct but domains is still not verified. 

If you've previously used the same subdomains for GCP ensure that you removed AAAA record. Also log in to your stape account, open sGTM container settings and click Revalidate Domain. 

In case all these did not help, contact stape.io support.