Event Deduplication for Server-Side and Client-Side GTM

1

Hello Stape team and community,

I am implementing a clean GTM setup using Stape’s server-side and client-side templates, and I want to ensure that event deduplication works seamlessly between server-side and client-side events. Here’s an outline of my current setup and workflow:

Setup Details:

Client-Side Implementation:

I’ve configured a clean GTM Web container with Stape’s templates.
All required events (e.g., purchase, add to cart) are implemented using {event_name}_stap, and the generated JavaScript includes all the necessary data sent to the GTM client-side endpoint.
in gtm preview i see that everything looks correct.
window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || ;
window.dataLayer.push({
‘event’: ‘view_item’,
‘event_id’: ‘view_item_2656233532315646’,
‘item_id’: ‘ITEM12345’,
‘item_name’: ‘Road Bike’,
‘category’: ‘Bikes’,
‘price’: 799.99,
‘currency’: ‘USD’,
});

Server-Side Implementation:

I’ve installed the PHP SDK and am sending the same events from the server-side endpoint with identical data payloads, including:
$data = array(
‘event’ => ‘view_item’,
‘event_id’ => ‘view_item_2656233532315646’, // Unique ID for this view_item event
‘item_id’ => ‘ITEM12345’, // Product ID
‘item_name’ => ‘Road Bike’, // Name of the item
‘category’ => ‘Bikes’, // Category of the item
‘price’ => 799.99, // Price of the item
‘currency’ => ‘USD’, // Currency of the transaction
);

I’ve ensured that both server-side and client-side events are sent with the same event_id for deduplication purposes.

Power-Up Configuration:
I’ve enabled the Cookie Keeper power-up to retain the required cookies and ensure accurate event association.

My Goal:
I want to verify that all events are deduplicated correctly to prevent duplicate reporting in tools like GA4.

trying to see the events in the web preview i see event_name_digits as i sent.

trying to see the events in the server preview i see digits_digits and not event_name_digits

Specific Questions:

  1. Is it sufficient to include an identical event_id (e.g., ‘event_id’ => ‘ITEM2656233532315646’) in both the server-side and client-side events to enable deduplication?

  2. Are there any additional cookies, that need to be sent or included to assist with the deduplication process?

  3. If cookies are required, which?

  4. Are there any additional best practices or configurations I should implement to ensure deduplication works consistently in my setup?

I want to ensure I’ve covered everything to avoid potential issues with duplicate events across client and server environments. Any detailed guidance or best practices would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your help and for the amazing tools you provide!

2

Can you please specify which platform we are talking about? Meta / TikTok / Pinterest / Snapchat?

3

Hi Alex,

I now looking at understanding the GA4 events at the previews.

I am not sure how GA4 knows the events are the same.
Same event sent with datalayer and with server side sdk.

Both sent with the same uniqe event_id like event_name_34343434 and i see one is replaced inside the web container with the internal Unique Event ID variable like somthing_something.

What am i missing here?

4

GA4 does not have a deduplication mechanism. You collect the required events on the web container, send them to the server container, and from there they are sent to GA.

5

Here’s a general article on setting up GA4 server side: How to set Up GA4 tracking using GTM server-side container - Stape

6

Hi Alex,

Underastood, so no need for server to server.

I need to make the web tagging resiliant to blocking and cookie loss
and a healthy data layers and run or inject the event code?

I am using the stape web and server templates.
So I need only to update the _settings folder variables?

Finally,
When sending server to server direct using the php sdk is just method to make sure purchase/refund event was recieved successfully with a delayed webhook?
Is there a list of parameters to go with the transaction id?

Thank you very much for the support!

7

So I need only to update the _settings folder variables?

Yes

When sending server to server direct using the php sdk is just method to make sure purchase/refund event was recieved successfully with a delayed webhook?

Usually sdk’s are used to send data to the server if you don’t want to use the GTM web container for some reason. This is just one way to send data to the sGTM.

Is there a list of parameters to go with the transaction id?

I assume you are also talking about GA4? You can point to the official documentation: