Behold: cookieless future is right upon us. Since Google has announced that by the end of 2023 it will officially stop supporting Third-Party Cookies on the Google Chrome browser, there are some topics about cookies going away that need to be talked about.

It is safe to say that by now everyone has heard about what cookies are in computing. For sure, everyone that has browsed the internet has either opted in or out of them. However, such tracking tools might be heading to extinction one day. Apparently, after such a tech giant as Google decided to cut ties with third-party cookies, the cookieless future is closer than you think.

Therefore, in this article CookieScript will explain what is cookieless future, what to expect from it, and how to prepare now that there might be no more Third-Party Cookies in browsers, starting with the pioneer Google Chrome that will stop supporting them in two years.

End of Third-Party Cookies

First of all, it should be explained what third-party cookies are and why eventually did they fell into Google’s attention?

Third-Party Cookies are small, encrypted files that track user movement from website to website and later collect the data for ad optimization purposes. Such tracking across the internet is also called cross-website tracking that later determines what your specific interests are.

Probably most people wouldn’t want to share all of that information with strangers on the internet, therefore, they choose to turn off Third-Party Cookies before using their favorite browser. Of course, not everyone knows how to do it, so data breaches and rising user concerns are two big factors in why there might be no more cookies.

However, some users would still want to receive personalized ads to help them with their shopping needs. In the digital era, life is becoming easier every day and it would be unfair to say that cookies do not add to that by suggesting personalized ads to internet users.

When two different opinions collide, there must be a consensus to keep both sides satisfied. Therefore, with Third-Party Cookies going away and a cookieless future just behind the corner, marketers must understand how to develop their strategies to be able to advertise without relying solely on Third-Party Cookies.

But there is good news already – CookieScript has a solution for you. If you haven’t prepared for 3rd party cookies going away, don’t worry, with Cookie Banner from CookieScript you can explain to your customers that privacy is key for you and they can make an informed decision whether or not to accept Tracking Cookies.

It is important to know that CookieScript automatically blocks Third-Party Cookies and also prevents any other cookies from running before the user gives its consent. That is how CookieScript complies with the latest privacy laws worldwide.

What is Cookieless Future?

For those who are still concerned about going away cookies, keep on reading about how the cookieless future might look like.

The decision from Google to stop supporting third-party cookies in Chrome comes from long years of frustration from most users. Data tracking is not something many people enjoy taking part in and the global corporation decided to take steps to reduce tracking and welcome a cookieless future.

While many users are happily accepting these decisions to reduce tracking, marketers are not happy. Because of cookies going away, they need to find other ways to promote their products and move on from cookieless advertising. Their focus must shift to content-based advertising from now on.

However, Google has undertaken steps to protect ad-dependent websites before the big changes occur and extended the deadline for the cookie-blocking privacy plan until the end of 2023. After this decision, websites have more time to come up with a strategy for a cookieless future.

Such plans are being drawn with having the latest privacy laws worldwide. Stronger privacy regulation is a hot topic that also involves a lot of discussion about data privacy laws, such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

Since marketers need a plan, Google isn’t sleeping too – by Chrome removing third-party cookies, the company aims to replace them by the end of 2022 and offer developers a new technology in a year. Since there are only rumors circulating about what the technology could be, marketers have no clear answer how the future might look like.

However, CookieScript has a plan for you. It’s a solid cookie manager that complies with the latest data privacy laws worldwide and allows users to make an informed decision on cookie trackage. Third-party cookies are going away and the spotlight is now placed on first-party cookies. This is where CookieScript is an expert, just look at some of the automatic features:

1. Scanning your website for cookies
2. Categorizing and adding descriptions to your cookies
3. Maintaining a full history of user consents
4. Allowing users to withdraw consent at any time
5. Blocking cookies until users agree to the Privacy Policy
6. Blocking cookies until visitor consents
7. Blocking third-party cookies by default

How Cookieless Future Will Impact Users?

Since third-party cookies gathered a lot of data on every corner of the internet and anonymously stored it, such changes to get rid of them will undoubtedly impact not only marketers but users. There are a couple of important points to know about third-party cookies going away.

For users, this process of removing third-party cookies from browsers will result in significant changes in targeted ads. In a cookieless world, there will not be such a huge influx of data for marketers to rely on, therefore, data processing will decline.

There will be much fewer data available for marketers, therefore targeted user ads will probably be not as accurate as before. For example, right now it is enough to visit a particular online shop only once and after a few seconds of browsing elsewhere, you will receive personalized ads.

However, without third-party cookies, such ads may lose accuracy unless there will be new tracking technologies to rely on for marketers. It is safe to say that ad strategies will be disrupted and for users there will be mixed feelings – some will welcome this cookieless future news after years of information tracking, but some might feel disappointed by not getting the right ads to look at.

How to Prepare for Cookieless Future?

To prepare for a cookieless future with no fear about your business, here are five points you should take a look at:

Identify Cookies

Firstly, you should identify what kind of cookies your website is using to take further steps. If you are unsure whether they are first or third-party cookies, there are tools to use and find out. Try CookieScript’s unique CookieScanner that will scan your website and provide a cookie declaration after the process is done. Enter your website address below.

Identify Tools to Replace Cookies

Since you have identified what cookies your website is using, you can choose a tool or a provider to work with. If you want a GDPR-compliant and safe cookie manager, try CookieScript – a consent management platform that ensures safe cookie usage and allows users to opt out of tracking at any time.

Ensure Compliance

After choosing your cookie manager to work with and if you are using first-party cookies, ensure that you comply with the latest privacy laws around the world, such as the GDPR and CCPA. Make sure your users can feel safe and their data is used for the right purposes that are stated in these laws.

Integrate Consent

Before collecting data from your users, you need to gain consent to do so. It is not GDPR-compliant to track user information without notifying them and getting permission to collect data. Users also must have the opportunity to opt out of tracking if they do not want to share their information.

Give Customers Opportunity to Make Choices

Finally, users also should have the opportunity to select what first-party cookies should be released once they visit your website. Strictly necessary cookies are impossible to opt-out of, but other types of trackers are not and users must be able to choose only those that they are comfortable with.

Your Cookieless Future with CookieScript

Considering Google cookies going away, changes are coming to the internet and you may want to select a trustworthy tool to work with that is CookieScript. If you want your website to stay compliant with GDPR and CCPA, you should choose the Cookie Banner from CookieScript.

The unique Cookie Banner from CookieScript collects user consent after providing all the necessary information so that visitors can make an informed decision on Tracking Cookies.

It is important to note that CookieScript also scans your website every month to update its Cookie Declaration and all cookies are automatically categorized using Cookie Database. CookieScript comes with integrations to all popular website building platforms and it has a simple interface to work with in the future that might seem cookieless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cookies going away?

Google has announced that by the end of 2023 it will officially stop supporting third-party cookies on the Google Chrome browser. While many users are happily accepting decisions to reduce data tracking, marketers are not happy. Because of cookies going away, they need to find other ways to promote their products and move on from cookieless advertising. The best way to stay compliant and still use cookies for tracking is with CookieScript.

Why is Google Getting Rid of Cookies?

Google gets rid of cookies to reduce data tracking numbers. The decision from Google to stop supporting third-party cookies in Chrome comes from long years of frustration from most users. Data tracking is not something many people enjoy taking part in and the global corporation decided to take steps to reduce tracking.

How to Prepare for Cookieless Future?

To prepare for a cookieless future, website owners must first identify what cookies are being present on their website. If there are any first-party cookies, the second stage of preparation is to find a suitable cookie manager to work with. CookieScript’s unique Cookie Banner collects user consent after providing all the necessary information so that visitors can make an informed decision on Tracking Cookies.

What is Cookieless Tracking?

Cookieless tracking is a process of tracking that does not involve dropping cookies on browsers, so users won’t receive personalized ads and their actions will not be documented. However, to keep the balance, you can always provide your users with an opportunity to either opt-in or opt-out of cookie tracking with CookieScript.