Understanding Tracking Server Setup in Adobe Analytics

Adobe Analytics collects data from your site through image requests generated by visitors. The trackingServer variable plays a critical role in determining where these image requests are sent. If this variable is incorrectly configured, your implementation could suffer from data loss. Here's a breakdown of how tracking servers work and how to set them up effectively.

Types of Tracking Servers

1. Third-Party Tracking Server
   These servers are not tied to your website's domain and may introduce challenges related to browser restrictions, like Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP).

2. First-Party Tracking Server
   These servers use your website's domain or subdomain, making them more reliable and less susceptible to browser restrictions.

Setting Up the First Party Tracking Server

A hostname is required to configure a first-party tracking server. It follows the format:
uniqueidentifier.domain.com

Example for ourpcgeek.com

For secure and non-secure connections, you can use the following:

• Secure: smetric.ourpcgeek.com

• Non-Secure: metric.ourpcgeek.com

Example for me.ourpcgeek.com

For a subdomain like me.ourpcgeek.com, use:

• Secure: smetric.me.ourpcgeek.com

• Non-Secure: metric.me.ourpcgeek.com

Key Points to Consider

1. A tracking server is considered First Party when its hostname matches the domain or subdomain it serves.

   • Example: smetric.me.ourpcgeek.com is first-party only for me.ourpcgeek.com and its subdomains.

2. If a tracking server is used with another domain (e.g., ourpcgeek-stage2.adobetest.com), it becomes a friendly third-party tracking server.

3. For subdomains like me.ourpcgeek.com, you do not need to set up a separate tracking server.

   • Instead, you can use smetric.ourpcgeek.com for both ourpcgeek.com and me.ourpcgeek.com. It will still be treated as First Party for both domains.

Why First-Party Tracking is Important

First-party tracking servers ensure better data accuracy and compliance with browser restrictions like ITP 2.1, ITP 2.2, and future updates. For a detailed guide on mitigating ITP's impact, refer to this article.

By configuring your tracking server correctly, you can avoid data loss and improve the reliability of your Adobe Analytics implementation.