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When you visit a website and see a pop-up asking you to “Accept cookies,” you’re encountering one of the most visible parts of digital privacy today.
But not all cookies are created equal.
Some are essential for websites to work properly. Others track user behavior to personalize ads or analyze traffic. Understanding the different types of internet cookies is key to managing privacy and staying compliant with laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
In this blog, we break down the main categories of cookies you’ll encounter and why it matters for your business and your users.
What Are Internet Cookies?
Internet cookies (also called browser cookies or HTTP cookies) are small data files stored on a user’s device when they interact with a website. Cookies help websites remember information such as login details, shopping carts, and user preferences.
But some cookies also track users across websites, which brings privacy concerns and legal obligations.
The Main Types of Cookies (By Purpose)
1. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These are essential for a website to function. They enable basic features such as:
- Logging in securely
- Navigating pages
- Saving items in a cart
Consent required under GDPR?
No. These do not require consent but must be clearly disclosed in your privacy/cookie policy.
2. Performance (or Analytics) Cookies
These cookies help website owners understand how users interact with their site by collecting data like:
- Pages visited
- Time spent on each page
- Clicks or navigation paths
Tools like Google Analytics often use these cookies.
Consent required under GDPR?
Yes. These are not essential and must be disabled by default until consent is given.
3. Functionality Cookies
These cookies allow websites to remember choices users make, such as:
- Language preferences
- Display settings
- Login states
They enhance the user experience but aren’t essential for the website to operate.
Consent required under GDPR?
Yes. Unless they’re strictly required for a service explicitly requested by the user.
4. Targeting or Advertising Cookies
These track users across websites to deliver personalized advertising. They can record:
- Browsing behavior
- Ad views and clicks
- Cross-site activity
Often used by ad platforms like Google Ads, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
Consent required under GDPR?
Absolutely. These are high-risk cookies that require clear, informed, and granular consent.
5. Social Media Cookies
Set by social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter), these cookies:
- Enable content sharing
- Track engagement with embedded posts
- Power targeted ads across platforms
Consent required under GDPR?
Yes. These are considered third-party marketing cookies.
Other Cookie Classifications You Should Know
Cookies can also be categorized by duration and ownership:
| Category | Description |
| Session cookies | Deleted when the browser is closed. Often used for temporary functions (e.g. shopping carts). |
| Persistent cookies | Stay on the user’s device for a set period (e.g. 1 year) unless manually deleted. Used for preferences or long-term tracking. |
| First-party cookies | Set by the website the user is visiting directly. Often used for essential or functional purposes. |
| Third-party cookies | Set by domains other than the one being visited (e.g. ad trackers, analytics). These pose higher privacy risks. |
Final Takeaway
Internet cookies power today’s digital experiences but with increasing regulation, how you categorize, disclose, and control them matters more than ever.
By understanding the types of cookies your site uses, you’re one step closer to building more transparent, compliant, and privacy-conscious user experiences.