What are cookies and why do your website need them?

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Cookies are small text alerts that you have probably seen on many websites. They are usually used to track unique user data, such as web browser preferences and settings.

Unfortunately, even the most delicious "cookies" can irritate your users. Pop-up windows with permission to save and use cookies can interfere with browsing the web page, and sometimes even force visitors to leave the resource.

How to avoid this? According shandong cell phone number list to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), all websites must inform users about the data tracked by cookies. That’s why opting out of cookie notifications is not the best option. We suggest you customize your notifications so that they complement your website and improve it from a user perspective.

In this article, we'll show you how to properly format cookie notifications. You'll also learn why this is important for both users and website owners.

Cookie Notice

Read also : 6 principles for designing a pop-up window, as well as examples of pop-ups

A cookie is a data packet that is exchanged between websites and computers. When you visit a particular resource, the site sends a packet of information (a cookie) to your computer. In general, cookies contain information about browser settings and parameters, information about the frequency of visits to a particular website, and other analytical parameters. Cookies are divided into two types:

Session cookies : These are temporary. When the user closes the browser, the cookie disappears. For example, session cookies allow websites to remember user login details so that they do not have to be re-entered on each page.
Persistent cookies : These cookies remain on the user's device even after the browsing session ends. They can be used for marketing and analytics purposes to show users personalized advertising based on their behavior and preferences. According to statistics , 99% of cookies on the Internet are used to track and show targeted advertising to users.
Additionally, cookies are divided into categories depending on what data they collect:

Essential cookies : These are necessary to ensure the functionality of the website. Some features may not be available without them.
Performance cookies : collect information about user actions on the site to improve the operation of the web resource (for example, which pages the user visits during a session).
Functional cookies : remember the user's actions on the site so that after leaving the page, you do not have to repeat the same steps (registration, adding certain products to the basket).
Targeting (advertising) cookies : track user actions on the site so that algorithms can subsequently offer more personalized advertisements.
Why wouldn’t you want to do without cookies? First, they make your website easier to use and improve the user experience. For example, when a user shops online, cookies keep track of the items they add to their shopping cart. Without them, the cart would be empty every time the user leaves the website. In particular, you can use cookies to track all kinds of data about a user’s visit and actions on your website. They store passwords, provide useful hints, etc.

Secondly, cookie notifications indicate the responsibility and reliability of a web resource.researchCisco reported in 2021 that 79% of consumers said data privacy was one of the most important factors for making a purchase. At the same time, 47% of consumers have abandoned a product or brand because of a company’s data policies or data-sharing practices.

Use of cookies from a legal perspective
Along with the benefits, there are a number of important legal aspects to consider. For example, cookie notices are considered both inGeneral Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and inEU Cookie Directive. In accordance with these rules, there are several reasons why setting up cookie notifications is necessary.

Firstly, according to legislative regulations and directives, the EU has introduced the right to refuse cookies that can store personal user data. If your website serves EU citizens, then the cookie notice should provide a clear choice - to accept the files or refuse them.

Secondly, cookies are often used to collect personal data. Under the GDPR, you must have a legal basis for processing personal data. One such basis is informed user consent, as provided inArticle 6General Data Protection Regulation. So the best way to get that consent is through the cookie notice.

Important: If cookies are necessary to ensure the functionality of the website, then it is not necessary to obtain user consent.

However, we recommend not to neglect notifications about cookies, even if they are session cookies and do not process personal data. After all, this demonstrates the responsibility of your brand.