---
title: Does ProfitMetrics Expose Sensitive Margin or Profit Data in the Browser?
description: What the browser-side profit value contains, why it exists, and how to keep estimated profit values out of the browser entirely.
---
[Skip to content](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/does-profitmetrics-expose-sensitive-margin-or-profit-data-in-the-browser#main-content)
[](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/?hsLang=en)
Open main navigation
Close main navigation
- [Contact Support](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/kb-ticket/new)
[Contact Support](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/kb-ticket/new?hsLang=en)
How can we help you?
- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
1. [Knowledge base](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/?hsLang=en)
2. [Google Ads](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/google-ads?hsLang=en)
# Does ProfitMetrics Expose Sensitive Margin or Profit Data in the Browser?
## What the browser-side profit value contains, why it exists, and how to keep estimated profit values out of the browser entirely.
ProfitMetrics never puts product costs, supplier prices, cost of goods sold (COGS) or exact margins in the data layer or anywhere else in the browser — every cost calculation runs on ProfitMetrics’ servers. This article covers the one estimated profit figure that does appear in the browser: what it’s made of, why it’s there, and how to remove it if your policy requires.
**On this page**
- [What the browser-side profit value is](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/does-profitmetrics-expose-sensitive-margin-or-profit-data-in-the-browser#what)
- [Why the browser sends an estimate](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/does-profitmetrics-expose-sensitive-margin-or-profit-data-in-the-browser#why)
- [How the real profit replaces the estimate](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/does-profitmetrics-expose-sensitive-margin-or-profit-data-in-the-browser#how)
- [Running tracking 100% server-side](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/does-profitmetrics-expose-sensitive-margin-or-profit-data-in-the-browser#running)
- [Checking what your tag sends](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/does-profitmetrics-expose-sensitive-margin-or-profit-data-in-the-browser#checking)
---
### What the browser-side profit value is
If you review the Google Tag Manager or e-commerce platform plugin/module setup for ProfitMetrics’ Google Ads tracking, you’ll find a variable that calculates a profit value on the order confirmation page. It feeds the **PM Gross Profit - Browser** conversion action.
The calculation takes the order revenue already in the data layer and multiplies it by one flat estimated margin, such as 20%. A £150 order at 20% sends a profit value of £30. The table shows what the calculation uses and what it never touches.
| Data | In the browser? |
| --- | --- |
| **Order revenue** | Yes — it’s already in the data layer for every tracking tag on the page |
| **Flat estimated margin** | Yes — one percentage applied to every order |
| **Product cost prices and supplier costs** | No |
| **Per-product margins** | No |
| **Payment fees and operating costs** | No |
| **Real gross or net profit** | No |
None of the sensitive figures are in the page, so there’s nothing for a site visitor, competitor or third-party script to read.
**NOTE:** The margin percentage itself is visible to anyone who inspects your website while placing an order. It’s one store-wide estimate, so it reveals nothing about the margin on any individual product. If you’d rather not publish even a rough figure, see [Running tracking 100% server-side](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/does-profitmetrics-expose-sensitive-margin-or-profit-data-in-the-browser#running).
---
### Why the browser sends an estimate
Google Ads Smart Bidding works best when a conversion arrives with a value at the moment of purchase. The real profit figure is calculated server-side and sent to Google Ads after the order reaches ProfitMetrics, so initially the browser tag sends an estimate in its place.
| What the estimate gives you | Why it matters |
| --- | --- |
| **Immediate value signal** | Smart Bidding gets a conversion value closer to the profit at the exact moment of the transaction. |
| **Consent Mode modelling** | Google can model conversions and their value for shoppers who decline tracking cookies. This relies on a browser tag recording the conversion. |
---
### How the real profit replaces the estimate
Once the browser has recorded the conversion, ProfitMetrics replaces the estimate with your real profit:
1. Your store sends the full order details to ProfitMetrics over a secure server connection.
2. ProfitMetrics calculates the exact gross profit on its own servers, using your product costs, shipping, payment costs and packaging and handling fees.
3. ProfitMetrics sends the corrected value to Google Ads through the Google Ads API. Google calls this a restatement.
4. Google Ads updates the conversion with your real profit figure.
Smart Bidding gets a value straight away, and the conversion ends up carrying your real profit. Google's bidding algorithm will adjust itself based on the updated true gross profit it receives directly from ProfitMetrics. Your costs and the calculated profit never pass through the browser at any stage.
---
### Running tracking 100% server-side
The browser estimate is optional. If company policy or compliance requirements rule out anything like a margin calculation in the browser, there are two alternatives.
| Setup | How it works |
| --- | --- |
| [**Server-side GTM with the ProfitMetrics profit variable**](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/profitmetrics-profit-variable-in-server-side-gtm?hsLang=en) | Your server container gets the calculated profit from ProfitMetrics and sends it to Google Ads. No estimate is needed, and the profit value never reaches the browser. |
| **Server-to-server uploads only** | The GTM estimated profit script is removed. ProfitMetrics uploads conversions and exact profit to Google Ads directly through the API. No browser tag handles any profit value, estimated or otherwise. |
**NOTE:** With server-to-server uploads only, Google Ads can’t use Consent Mode modelling for shoppers who opt out of tracking. This can reduce your reported conversion volume.
To switch to either setup, contact [support@profitmetrics.io](mailto:support@profitmetrics.io).
- [Getting Started](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Learn the Basics](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/getting-started?hsLang=en#learn-the-basics)
- [Prepare for Onboarding](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/getting-started?hsLang=en#prepare-for-onboarding)
- [Account Setup](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/getting-started?hsLang=en#account-setup)
- [E-commerce Platforms](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/e-commerce-platforms?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Shopify](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/e-commerce-platforms?hsLang=en#shopify)
- [WooCommerce](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/e-commerce-platforms?hsLang=en#woocommerce)
- [Magento](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/e-commerce-platforms?hsLang=en#magento)
- [PrestaShop](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/e-commerce-platforms?hsLang=en#prestashop)
- [BigCommerce](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/e-commerce-platforms?hsLang=en#bigcommerce)
- [Shopware](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/e-commerce-platforms?hsLang=en#shopware)
- [DanDomain & Related](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/e-commerce-platforms?hsLang=en#dandomain-related)
- [Universal Integration (Clientside)](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/e-commerce-platforms?hsLang=en#universal-integration-clientside)
- [Universal Integration (Server-side Hybrid)](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/e-commerce-platforms?hsLang=en#universal-integration-server-side-hybrid)
- [Other Platforms](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/e-commerce-platforms?hsLang=en#other-platforms)
- [Developer Documentation](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/e-commerce-platforms?hsLang=en#developer-documentation)
- [Ad Channels](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/ad-channels?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Google Ads](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/ad-channels?hsLang=en#google-ads)
- [Meta (Facebook/Instagram)](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/ad-channels?hsLang=en#meta-facebook-instagram)
- [Microsoft Bing Ads](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/ad-channels?hsLang=en#microsoft-bing-ads)
- [Google Analytics 4](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/ad-channels?hsLang=en#google-analytics-4)
- [Partner-ads](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/ad-channels?hsLang=en#partner-ads)
- [Other Channel Configuration](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/ad-channels?hsLang=en#other-channel-configuration)
- [Tracking & Conversion Setup](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/tracking-conversion-setup?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Overview](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/tracking-conversion-setup?hsLang=en#overview)
- [Conversion Booster for Google Ads](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/tracking-conversion-setup?hsLang=en#conversion-booster-for-google-ads)
- [Conversion Booster for Meta](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/tracking-conversion-setup?hsLang=en#conversion-booster-for-meta)
- [Conversion Booster Custom Pixels](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/tracking-conversion-setup?hsLang=en#conversion-booster-custom-pixels)
- [Enhanced Conversions](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/tracking-conversion-setup?hsLang=en#enhanced-conversions)
- [Shopping Booster](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/shopping-booster?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Overview & Setup](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/shopping-booster?hsLang=en#overview-setup)
- [Supplemental Feeds](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/shopping-booster?hsLang=en#supplemental-feeds)
- [Campaigns & Labels](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/shopping-booster?hsLang=en#campaigns-labels)
- [Troubleshooting](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/shopping-booster?hsLang=en#troubleshooting)
- [Product Feed & Costs](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/product-feed-costs?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Product Feed](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/product-feed-costs?hsLang=en#product-feed)
- [Shipping & Payment Costs](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/product-feed-costs?hsLang=en#shipping-payment-costs)
- [Expenses](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/product-feed-costs?hsLang=en#expenses)
- [Dashboard, Orders & Reporting](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/dashboard-orders-reporting?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Dashboard & Orders](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/dashboard-orders-reporting?hsLang=en#dashboard-orders)
- [Looker Studio](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/dashboard-orders-reporting?hsLang=en#looker-studio)
- [Google BigQuery](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/dashboard-orders-reporting?hsLang=en#google-bigquery)
- [Account & Billing](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/account-billing?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Users & Access](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/account-billing?hsLang=en#users-access)
- [Billing & Invoices](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/account-billing?hsLang=en#billing-invoices)
- [Privacy & Consent](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/privacy-consent?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [GDPR](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/privacy-consent?hsLang=en#gdpr)
- [Consent Management Platforms](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/privacy-consent?hsLang=en#consent-management-platforms)
- [Google Consent Mode](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/privacy-consent?hsLang=en#google-consent-mode)
- [For Agencies](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/for-agencies?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Getting Started as an Agency](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/for-agencies?hsLang=en#getting-started-as-an-agency)
- [Agency Certification](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/for-agencies?hsLang=en#agency-certification)
- [Shopify](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/shopify?hsLang=en)
- [PrestaShop](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/prestashop?hsLang=en)
- [Google Ads](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/google-ads?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [troubleshoot](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/google-ads?hsLang=en#troubleshoot)
- [Meta (Facebook / Instagram)](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/meta-facebook-instagram?hsLang=en)
- [Uncategorized](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/uncategorized?hsLang=en)
- [Billing](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/billing?hsLang=en)
- [Google Sheets](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/google-sheets?hsLang=en)
- [Account](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/account?hsLang=en)
- [Ideal Shop](https://knowledge.profitmetrics.io/ideal-shop?hsLang=en)
[](https://profitmetrics.io)
[mailto:support@profitmetrics.io](mailto:support@profitmetrics.io)
Copyright © 2026, ProfitMetrics ApS