---
title: Track Server-Side Events
description: >-
  Send custom events from your server to supplement client-side data in Product
  Analytics.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Product Analytics > Product Analytics Data Collected > Track
  Server-Side Events
---

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.datadoghq.com/llms.txt).

# Track Server-Side Events

{% callout %}
# Important note for users on the following Datadog sites: app.ddog-gov.com, us2.ddog-gov.com

{% alert level="danger" %}
This product is not supported for your selected [Datadog site](https://docs.datadoghq.com/getting_started/site.md). ({% placeholder "user-datadog-site-name" /%}).
{% /alert %}

{% /callout %}

## Overview{% #overview %}

Server-side events are custom events sent through the [Product Analytics API](https://docs.datadoghq.com/api/latest/product-analytics.md#send-server-side-events) from your server. Unlike client-side events captured by the RUM SDK, such as pageviews or button clicks, server-side events track actions that occur in your backend, such as a completed checkout or processed payment.

Use server-side events to:

- Capture events at the source of truth on the server, independent of client-side behavior
- Track backend actions with no client-side equivalent, such as a payment confirmation or subscription renewal
- Supplement client-side data with server-side context

{% alert level="warning" %}
Datadog bills server-side events separately. See the [pricing page](https://www.datadoghq.com/pricing/?product=product-analytics#products) for details, and contact your Customer Success Manager with additional questions.
{% /alert %}

## Prerequisites{% #prerequisites %}

Before sending server-side events, [set up the Datadog SDK](https://docs.datadoghq.com/product_analytics.md#track-client-side-events-sdk) for your application and [enable Product Analytics](https://docs.datadoghq.com/product_analytics.md#enable-product-analytics).

## Send server-side events{% #send-server-side-events %}

Use the [Product Analytics API](https://docs.datadoghq.com/api/latest/product-analytics.md#send-server-side-events) to send events from your server. To associate a server-side event with a client session, include the `session_id` from the client's active RUM session. Including the session ID links server-side events to client-side data for a complete view of the user journey.

For the full API reference, including authentication, required fields, and request parameters, see [Send server-side events](https://docs.datadoghq.com/api/latest/product-analytics.md#send-server-side-events).

## Analyze server-side events{% #analyze-server-side-events %}

After you send server-side events, they are available in any Product Analytics chart. In the event picker, select **Server Events** to scope your analysis to server-side data.

## Further reading{% #further-reading %}

- [Product Analytics API](https://docs.datadoghq.com/api/latest/product-analytics.md#send-server-side-events)
- [Product Analytics](https://docs.datadoghq.com/product_analytics.md)
- [Product Analytics Data Collected](https://docs.datadoghq.com/product_analytics/data_collected.md)