Understanding the cookies used on your website is essential for both legal compliance (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and for providing transparency to your visitors. Cookies are small data files stored on users’ devices that help improve the website experience, track analytics, and enable certain features. Here’s a detailed overview of the types of cookies typically used and how to check which cookies are active on your website.
Types of Cookies #
1. Essential Cookies #
These cookies are necessary for the basic functioning of the website. They help with navigation, security, and user session management.
Examples:
- Session cookies (e.g.,
PHPSESSID): Maintain user sessions on the site. - Security cookies (e.g.,
csrftoken): Protect against cross-site request forgery.
2. Performance and Analytics Cookies #
These cookies collect data on how users interact with the website. They help website owners understand user behavior and improve site performance.
Examples:
- Google Analytics (
_ga,_gid): Track visitor statistics and user behavior. - Hotjar (
_hjIncludedInSample): Monitor user interactions for heatmaps and session recordings.
3. Functional Cookies #
Functional cookies enhance the user experience by remembering user preferences, language settings, and login details.
Examples:
- Language preference (
lang): Stores the user’s preferred language. - Remember me cookies (
remember_user): Keeps users logged in across sessions.
4. Advertising and Targeting Cookies #
These cookies are used to deliver personalized ads based on user browsing behavior. They track users across websites to build a profile of their interests.
Examples:
- Facebook Pixel (
_fbp): Tracks user interactions for Facebook ad targeting. - Google Ads (
IDE): Tracks ad clicks and conversions.
5. Third-Party Cookies #
Third-party cookies are set by services integrated into your website, such as social media buttons, embedded videos, or external analytics tools.
Examples:
- YouTube (
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE): Tracks video views on embedded YouTube videos. - Pinterest (
_pinterest_sess): Tracks user interactions with Pinterest content.
How to Check What Cookies Are Active on Your Website #
There are several methods to find out which cookies are being used on your site:
Method 1: Using Browser Developer Tools #
- Open your website in a browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox).
- Right-click on the page and select Inspect.
- Go to the Application tab (or Storage tab in Firefox).
- Click on Cookies under Storage.
- Review the list of cookies and note the Name, Value, Domain, and Expiration.
Tip: #
- Look for cookies with your domain as well as third-party domains (e.g., Google, Facebook).
Method 2: Using Online Cookie Scanning Tools #
There are free tools available that can scan your website for cookies and provide a detailed report.
Popular Tools:
- CookieServe: Quick cookie scanner with basic details.
- Cookiebot: Provides a comprehensive cookie scan and compliance report.
Tip: #
- Use a cookie scanner regularly to detect any new or unexpected cookies, especially after adding third-party scripts.
How to Provide Information About Cookies on Your Website #
To comply with privacy regulations, include a Cookie Policy on your website that details the cookies used and their purpose.
What to Include in Your Cookie Policy: #
- Introduction: Explain what cookies are and why they are used.
- List of Cookies: Provide a table with the name, purpose, and duration of each cookie.
- User Choices: Explain how users can manage or disable cookies through browser settings.
- Updates: Mention that the policy may be updated as new cookies are added.
Example Table for Cookie Policy: #
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics – Tracks user behavior | Analytics | 2 years |
PHPSESSID | Maintains user session | Essential | Session |
_fbp | Facebook Pixel – Ad tracking | Advertising | 3 months |
How to Manage Cookies on Your Website #
You can give users control over cookies using a Cookie Consent Banner.
Steps to Manage Cookies: #
- Implement a Cookie Banner: Inform users about cookie usage and provide options to accept or reject cookies.
- Enable Cookie Settings: Allow users to customize their cookie preferences (e.g., accept only essential cookies).
- Update the Banner as Needed: If you add new cookies (e.g., a new tracking tool), update the banner and your Cookie Policy.
Tip: #
- Use a third-party cookie consent tool like Cookiebot or Osano to simplify compliance.
Troubleshooting Tips #
- Unexpected Cookies Detected:
- Review recent changes on your website, such as new plugins or third-party integrations.
- Use a cookie scanner to identify the source of the unexpected cookies.
- Cookie Banner Not Displaying Correctly:
- Ensure the banner code is placed correctly in the Header Code section of hPanel.
- Test the banner on different devices and browsers.
- Difficulty Disabling Cookies:
- Check if cookies are set by third-party scripts (e.g., analytics, social media widgets) and review their documentation for disabling options.
Additional Tips: #
- Review Cookies Regularly: Conduct regular audits of your website’s cookies, especially after making changes or adding new features.
- Keep Your Privacy Policy Updated: Reflect any new cookies or changes in your Cookie Policy to maintain compliance.
- Test Cookie Behavior: Use browser extensions like Ghostery or Privacy Badger to see how cookies are behaving and to test user consent settings.
