---
title: "Server-side tracking with the Engage SDK package"
slug: "server-side-tracking-with-the-engage-sdk-package"
abstract: "Describes the benefits of and considerations when collecting and sending data from the server to Sitecore CDP using the Engage SDK."
---
# Server-side tracking with the Engage SDK package

If you can access the server side of your app, you can use the Engage SDK package to implement server-side tracking instead of client-side tracking.

Client-side tracking means that you send [behavioral](https://doc.sitecore.com/cdp/en/developers/api/integrating-with-sitecore-cdp/understanding-integration-details/sending-events-using-the-engage-sdk.html "Sending events using the Engage SDK") and [transactional](https://doc.sitecore.com/cdp/en/developers/api/integrating-with-sitecore-cdp/understanding-integration-details/sending-orders-using-the-engage-sdk.html "Sending orders using the Engage SDK") data from the client side of your app directly to Sitecore CDP.

In contrast, server-side tracking means that you send the data from the client to the server first. Then, you forward the data from the server to Sitecore CDP.

## Benefits of server-side tracking

Compared to client-side tracking, server-side tracking has the following benefits:

- Increases data security - you can handle sensitive data on the server without having to expose it on the client side.
- Increases data flexibility - on the server, you can extend the data, integrate it with other external systems, or otherwise customize it before forwarding it to Sitecore CDP.
- Prevents ad blockers and web browsers from blocking the tracking code or otherwise manipulating the data.
- Improves website performance by reducing the number of network requests to external systems. This improves website speed and ensures that data is captured even on poor network connections.

## Considerations before implementing server-side tracking

Before you implement server-side tracking, make sure that your server-side infrastructure is secure, and that you handle data in compliance with privacy regulations.

## Implementing server-side tracking

Using the Engage SDK package, you can implement server-side tracking by [initializing the Engage SDK on the server side](https://doc.sitecore.com/cdp/en/developers/api/stream-api/sitecore-engage-sdk-reference/functions/engage-initserver.html "Engage.initServer(settings)") of your app, then sending events using the [server-side tracking functions](https://doc.sitecore.com/cdp/en/developers/api/integrating-with-sitecore-cdp/understanding-integration-details/sending-events-using-the-engage-sdk.html "Sending events using the Engage SDK").