When you visit a website, you may see a pop-up with information concerning the use of cookies (information generated and saved by the page). This pop-up is known as a cookie consent notice. It informs visitors what information the page gathers and briefly explains how this data is used. Users can then consent to or refuse the site's use of cookies.
Why Are Cookie Consent Notices So Prevalent, and Does Your Website Need One?
Why Do So Many Sites Have Cookie Consent Notices?
Cookie consent notices exist largely due to a directive adopted by the European Union. Though this law was adopted in 2009, it was not enforced until 2012. This directive states that websites must notify users if they use cookies, and if so, how the website uses the information gathered by the cookies. The goal of this directive was to help internet users protect their privacy and give them the opportunity to keep their info confidential.
People or organizations located within the European Union must adhere to this law. Individuals and businesses who have servers physically located in the European Union should also follow the directive. If the intended audience for your website includes citizens who reside in the European Union, you should take steps to adhere to the directive.
What Happens If You Neglect to Provide a Cookie Consent Notice?
Enforcement of the cookie directive is murky in countries outside of the European Union. A Privacy Shield agreement between the United States and the European Union may make it easier for the European Union to punish site owners who don't adhere to the directive.
The European Union can bring a complaint or levy fines against individuals or organizations who don't adhere to the law. Due to the cost of enforcing the directive, it is most likely the European Union will focus on prosecuting large entities that shirk the law. Since the cost of providing a cookie consent notice is relatively minuscule, many webpage owners find it advantageous to follow the directive.
How Can You Adhere to the Cookie Directive?
Incorporating a cookie consent notice into your web page is simple. Add a small banner or pop-up to your page that states your site uses cookies and provide a link that explains how you use the information. You can require visitors to check a box that states they approve the use of cookies or you may prefer to word your consent notice in a way that makes individuals aware that by continuing to use your page, they agree to the use of cookies.
How Can Cookies Improve My Marketing Campaign?
You may wonder why you should bother with cookies at all if there are such stringent rules regarding cookie disclosure and user consent. Cookies provide valuable information for a successful digital advertising campaign. They permit you to alter your advertising, so it better suits your customers' demographics or internet habits. You can also see what websites are driving the most traffic to your page.
For more information on cookie consent notices and whether or not your website needs one, contact our marketing experts at 702-270-8772 today.
