Data privacy laws like the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the planned ePrivacy Regulation bring with them significant changes to the way websites operating in the EU can use cookies to track user behavior.

 

 

In order to stay compliant with these regulations, website owners need to use a website cookie checker to know which cookies their sites use and provide easy-to-navigate customer opt-in and opt-out processes based on this knowledge.

 

 

In this article, we’ll look at how to check cookies on your website, as well as how this will help you stay on the right side of the new privacy regulations.

 

 

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Recap: What Are Cookies and Does Your Website Use Them?

 

 

Cookies are text files that websites ask your browser to store on the device you are using to access the internet. The website uses the files to remember information about the user.

 

 

Almost all website nowadays use cookies. In fact, many sites rely on them to provide basic functionality. Think about an e-commerce store. When you put something in your basket and then move to another page, the product is still in the basket. It is a cookie that allows the website to do this.

 

 

Cookies can be split into two categories. First-party cookies originate from the website itself and are often required for the site to run properly. Third-party cookies are still served through the site but originate from third-party services such as ad providers, analytics companies, or payment platforms.

 

 

Cookies are used in many different ways, including those on the following list. If your website provides any of these features, it uses cookies.

 

 

• Remembers customer login information
• Remembers customer preferences, such as language
• Uses a shopping basket feature
• Provides targeted adverts
• Uses analytics software that tracks user behavior