diff --git a/config/initializers/ahoy.rb b/config/initializers/ahoy.rb
index 8403a9160..57e903617 100644
--- a/config/initializers/ahoy.rb
+++ b/config/initializers/ahoy.rb
@@ -6,3 +6,6 @@ Ahoy.api = true
 
 # set to false to disable geocode tracking
 Ahoy.geocode = false
+
+# only create visits server-side when needed for events and `visitable`
+Ahoy.server_side_visits = :when_needed