Running a website? Then, you are in the right place. If you have ever asked yourself: Do I need a cookie policy on my website? The short answer is yes. At Refinery89 we take compliance very seriously, that is why we put together this guide to explain what a cookie policy is and why your website needs one in order to be trustworthy.
What are website cookies?
Cookies are small files that can be downloaded from a website into your computer. They are tools that play an essential role when providing online services over the internet. Allowing your website to collect information about the browsing practices of users and depending on the information obtained, it can be useful to recognize the user and improved their experience over time.
What are essential cookies?
Essential cookies or strictly necessary cookies are implemented on sites mainly to make them function properly. They also need to be explained in your Cookie Policy. Essential cookies are implemented automatically on a site as they do not need consent. These are necessary when it comes to provide online services and to ease the transmission of information through the network, all regulated by the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
What are the main essential cookies?
Session cookies
These cookies are temporary, they keep track of users’ activity through the website. For example, they keep them logged in when jumping from site to site.
User-input cookies
User-input cookies remember users’ information such as their shopping bag or information filled on a form.
Authentication cookies
These differ from other cookies as they remember users after they have logged into different sites so, they don’t need to enter their information such as username and password ever again.
User-centric security cookies
They protect user’s information when they detect suspicious activity like, multiple failed logins or different attempts on incorrect passwords.
Load balancing cookies
Load balancing cookies are responsible for a smooth browsing, connecting the user to the most sustainable server. These delays often occur when many people is using it.
Non-essential cookies
Non-essential cookies are the ones not directly placed on a user’s device as they need consent. These are designed fully for additional purposes. Used for deeper personalization and analysis.
Analytics and customization cookies
These cookies keep track of the different interactions users have with the website, in order to understand their behavior, like Google Analytics. All to help website owners for better performance.
Advertising cookies
Advertising cookies are the ones in charge of creating the targeted audiences to show them specific ads, based on their website activity.
Social networking cookies
Social networking cookies gather users’ information based on their language preferences, font sizes… All to generate personalized content for them.
What is a a Cookie Policy?
Cookie policy is the legal document or section implemented on a website that explains to users the purpose of cookies stored on their devices and how other similar technologies work. These files inform users about the cookies that are using, why they are necessary, what type of data they collect and how this data is processed.
Do I need a cookie policy on my website?
Long story short, whether you need cookie policy or not, depends on legal requirements and the use of non-essential cookies. As a publisher, what matters most is not where you are located but where your visitors are from. If your visitors reside in countries where the legal regulations are strong such as the UK or the United States, you are legally obligated to inform them about your cookies.
It is also important to keep in mind that if your site is using non-essential cookies, this file becomes immediately mandatory when; using third-party cookie tools, gathers personal data, or has visitors located in the UK or the United States.
Why is cookie policy important?
As a publisher, complying with privacy regulations is an essential part of running a trustworthy website. Here are some of the main reasons why it’s important:
Legal requirement
The moment your website uses cookies, it’s important to comply with privacy laws such as the GDPR, UK GDPR, and the CCPA, two major privacy laws, to ensure users’ privacy. The same way you as a publisher need to obtain user consent before introducing cookies on the user’s device.
Transparency and trust
The legal frame on cookie policy is only valid in the EU and USA, as we’ve seen, however, showing cookie policy and explaining what type of cookies your website uses, category purposes, third-party cookies, cookie duration, how to manage preferences and a final link to your cookie policy, gives visitors a sense of transparency, creating a stronger relationship.
Compliance
Compliance refers to the act of following rules and regulations set by the government. That is why it is important to create a detailed and well-explained cookie policy to ensure no possible penalties for non-compliance.
Privacy policy vs Cookie policy
Let’s clear up the confusion between these two terms, as they’re often mistaken for one another. Privacy policy is mainly focused on what personal information is collected on a website, why it is collected, who is being shared with and how is protected, as well as privacy rights under different laws (names, email address, payment details…) meanwhile cookie policy only focuses on explaining what type of cookies are being used and similar tracking technologies (Tracking pixels, SDKs).
Cookies compliance doesn’t need to be complicated
Now that you see the importance on having a legally regulated site, it is time to simplify your compliance and maximize ad revenue.
That is why here at Refinery89, we believe that a transparent supply path, starts with trusted technology, like our Single Tag solution gives access to premium, fully managed GDR- Compliant Management Platform (CMP) for free. All while supporting sustainable monetization.
Speak with our team and learn how we can improve your website and make it thrive!
