What is CDDC?
Custom Domain Data Collection (CDDC) is a solution that allows you to send your analytics data to a subdomain of your own domain (e.g., ignis.yoursite.com) rather than to Piano Analytics' default domain.
Why choose CDDC?
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SDK Loading: Load the Piano Analytics SDK directly from your CDDC rather than from our CDN, reducing your exposure to adblockers and limiting browser restrictions
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Better data quality: Bypasses certain browser limitations like Safari's restrictions on third-party cookies (degradation of organic and marketing traffic source recognition)
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Service continuity: Increased collection robustness against browser restrictions and blocking extensions
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Domain control: You maintain control over your DNS infrastructure
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Enhanced security: SSL/TLS certificates dedicated to your subdomain
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Flexibility: Compatible with all implementations (client-side, server-side, TMS)
CDDC and privacy
CDDC addresses technical limitations imposed by browsers and extensions, not privacy protection measures. Piano Analytics remains 100% GDPR compliant and respectful of user privacy, with or without CDDC:
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User consent: Always required and respected, regardless of your configuration
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No cross-site tracking: Piano Analytics never tracks users across different sites
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Anonymized data: No personal data collected without explicit consent
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Certifications: ISO 27001, data hosting in Europe
Two available options
Piano Analytics offers two management modes for your CDDC:
|
Criteria |
Piano-managed ⭐ RECOMMENDED |
Custom Certificate |
|---|---|---|
|
Certificate management |
Piano Analytics |
You |
|
Renewal |
Automatic |
Manual (every 9 months) |
|
Setup time |
<24h |
1+ week |
|
Cost |
Included (up to 10 domains) |
Additional billing |
|
Setup complexity |
Low (3 steps) |
High (9 steps) |
|
Expiration risk |
None |
⚠️ High if not renewed |
|
SDK Loading |
✅ Available |
✅ Available |
Certificate lifespan
Evolution of security standards:
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March 2026: Maximum certificate duration reduced to 200 days.
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2027: Maximum certificate duration reduced to 100 days.
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2029: Maximum certificate duration reduced to 47 days.
With a custom certificate (BYOC - Bring Your Own Certificate):
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⚠️ Manual process: purchase, CSR generation, import, renewal.
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⚠️ Major risk: If renewal is forgotten = total loss of data collection
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⚠️ Increasing operational burden with reduced validity periods
Which option to choose?
Choose Piano-managed if:
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You want a simple, fast, and maintenance-free solution
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You have no specific security constraints requiring a custom certificate
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You want to avoid certificate expiration risks
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You prefer to delegate technical management to Piano
This is the case for 95% of our clients
Choose Custom Certificate only if:
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You have strict security requirements mandating a specific certificate
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Your organization requires the use of certificates purchased from a specific authority
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You have compliance constraints requiring full certificate control
⚠️ Warning: This option requires proactive management and carries operational risks.
Benefits of SDK loading via CDDC
By loading the Piano Analytics SDK from your CDDC rather than from our third-party CDN:
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Reduced blocking: Adblockers and privacy extensions block first-party resources less frequently
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Consistency: SDK and collection use the same first-party domain
Next steps
To get started with Piano-managed (recommended)
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Consult the setup guide: CDDC Piano-managed - Setup Guide
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Follow the 3 simple setup steps
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Migrate your collection to your CDDC and configure SDK loading
For a custom certificate
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Consult the technical guide: CDDC Custom Certificate - Technical Guide
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Validate with your Customer Success Manager the contractual implications
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Prepare the necessary technical resources (IT team, certificate budget)
💡 Piano Analytics Recommendation: We strongly recommend the Piano-managed option to ensure reliable and uninterrupted data collection, while minimizing your operational burden and benefiting from first-party SDK loading.