Uliana Lesiv
AuthorModel Context Protocol (MCP) Server provides interoperability and coordination between AI models and tools. It is especially helpful in systems where many AI agents are working together. For the end user, it means smooth command performance and convenient data retrieval without the need to write API requests themselves.
We, at Stape, have developed the MCP Server for Google Tag Manager so you can manage and perform required actions more easily within a tool. In this article, we will explain what the MCP Server is and how it works. We have also prepared a detailed MCP Server implementation guide.
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables AI models to interact with APIs, databases, and various external services.
The MCP Server acts as a central intermediary. It provides a standardized interface for accessing tools, systems, and data sources. The MCP Server ensures that resources and tools are accessible to any AI app compatible with the protocol.
After configuring the MCP Server (in our case, for Google Tag Manager), you can type any request in your AI app (e.g., the Claude app). Your request is sent to the MCP Server via the MCP Protocol (standard protocol for AI communication). Once the request is received, the MCP Server handles it (performs actions/commands or returns some data you requested).
The request can refer to most commands connected with GTM functionality and its entities. It includes, but is not limited to:
To configure the MCP Server for GTM, you will need:
1. Create a new project on the Google Cloud Platform.
To do it, go to the navigation menu → IAM & Admin → Create a Project. Add the name for a project (let’s say “gtm-mcp”). In the Location field, click Browse, select the required location. Click Create.
2. Create a service account.
Go to the Create service account page → select a GC project → add service account name → Done.
3. Generate a JSON key.
Next to the service account, click Keys → Add key → Create new key → select JSON → click Create.
4. Enable GTM API in a project.
In the needed project, navigate to APIs & Services (click "APIs & Services" on the left-hand menu) → click Library → search for Google Tag Manager API and click Enable.
5. Download the MCP Server for Google Tag Manager from GitHub and unzip the folder.
6. Open the folder you downloaded from GitHub in Terminal.
7. Run the commands: npm install && npm build to install dependencies and build the library.
8. Put the JSON service account key you’ve created in the folder “Keys”.
9. Add the config to the AI app or agent. In our case, it is the Claude app.
Open Claude desktop → Settings → Developer tab → Edit Config → open desktop JSON file called “claude_desktop_config” → paste the code below.
If you need to set up only the MCP Server for GTM, paste this code:
{
"mcpServers": {
"google-tag-manager-mcp-server": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/your_path_to_file/mcp-google-tag-manager/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS": "mcp-google-tag-manager/keys/gtm-mcp.json"
}
}
}
}
If you are a Stape user and would like to install Stape MCP Server, follow the instructions from our Stape MCP Server configuration guide and paste this code:
{
"mcpServers": {
"google-tag-manager-mcp-server": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/your_path_to_file/mcp-google-tag-manager/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS": "mcp-google-tag-manager/keys/gtm-mcp.json"
}
},
"stape-mcp-server": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/your_path_to_file/stape-mcp-server/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"STAPE_AUTH_KEY": "skey"
}
}
}
}
Once done, save the file → close the Claude app → reopen it.
After adding the code to the file, you should see the list of MCP Servers in the Developer tab of the Claude app.
That’s it. Now you can start typing your request in the Claude app.
Setting up an MCP Server for Google Tag Manager significantly simplifies interacting with GTM resources. For a user, there is no need for manual API requests. With our implementation, you can integrate this functionality into your workflow. Whether you're managing tags, containers, or user permissions, the MCP Server acts as a reliable bridge between your AI tools and GTM. We hope this guide helps you get started quickly!
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Uliana is a Content Manager at Stape, specializing in analytics and integration setups. She breaks down complex tracking concepts into clear insights, helping businesses optimize data collection.
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