Glossary: Server-side Tracking

Server-side tracking records analytics events from a server rather than relying on a script running in the visitor’s browser. It’s more resilient to adblockers and browser restrictions than traditional client-side tracking. Onchain data is a natural fit for this model, since every transaction is already recorded by the network itself rather than a browser script.

Examples

• A team moves event tracking to a server-side endpoint to avoid adblocker-related data loss.

• An onchain deposit event is recorded directly from chain data, without needing any browser-side script.

• A hybrid setup combines server-side event tracking with wallet-based onchain analytics for full-funnel visibility.

Server-side tracking in crypto apps

Many important crypto events never happen in the browser. An order fills in an offchain matching engine, a relayer submits a gasless transaction, a backend credits points, or a trader uses the API directly. Server-side events capture these actions at the source. Onchain contract events are a second source that needs no browser at all, because the chain already records them.

Example

A perp DEX tracks page views and wallet connects with a web SDK. When the matching engine fills an order, the backend sends an order_filled event with the wallet address and the trade’s USD volume. The team can now see volume per wallet even for traders who use the API and never open the website.

How Formo supports server-side tracking

Formo has server-side SDKs, such as the Node.js SDK, that send events through the Formo Events API. They are stateless, so each call must include the wallet address. Formo can also track contract events directly from the chain. The web SDK still gives you page views, sessions and campaign attribution, so most teams combine browser, server and onchain events.

Related reading

Explore Cookieless Analytics, Web Analytics, Event Tracking, and IP Address.

FAQs

Why is server-side tracking more reliable than client-side?

It doesn’t depend on a script executing in the browser, so it’s unaffected by adblockers or script-blocking privacy tools.

Is onchain analytics a form of server-side tracking?

Conceptually, yes. Transactions are recorded by the blockchain network itself, independent of the user’s browser.

What’s a downside of server-side tracking?

It typically requires more engineering setup than dropping in a client-side script.

Does Formo support server-side tracking?

Yes. Formo’s server-side SDKs and Events API let your backend send events with a wallet address on each call. Formo can also track contract events directly from the chain, without a browser script.