Cookieless Future: What, When, and Why
Third-party cookies are a critical part of digital marketing, enabling businesses to tailor their advertising to the individual needs and desires of their target audience. However, with Google phasing them out from Chrome (and the same being already done in other browsers), we are bound to find ourselves in a new, cookieless future. This means that we will need to utilize new data sources and reshape our strategies, putting first-party cookies on the pedestal. In this article, we look at this in more detail. Did we spark your interest? Then read on!
What Does “Cookieless” Mean?
To grasp the concept of a cookieless future, it’s crucial to understand what cookies are.
Cookies are small pieces of data stored on your device when you visit a website. They track and remember your online activity, preferences, and login information, enhancing your browsing experience. They can be divided into first-party cookies (the ones on your website collecting data from those visiting your website) and third-party cookies (the ones that track the users’ behavior across the internet and collect data on it.
A cookieless future refers to the digital world’s movement away from relying on third-party cookies for tracking and personalization. This shift is driven by growing concerns over privacy and data security, leading to stricter regulations and a demand for more transparent data practices.
When is the Cookieless Future Expected?
The transition to a cookieless future is already underway. Major tech companies and browsers have announced plans to phase out third-party cookies. Google, for instance, is starting to phase out third-party cookies this year, while other browsers, like Firefox, Safari, or Edge, have already limited third-party cookies or blocked them completely.
Google Chrome has a majority of the market share in the browser world. Thus, the true cookieless future is about to start when the third-party cookies will be phased out of it – by the end of 2024.
Why the Shift to a Cookieless Future?
The primary driver behind the move to a cookieless future is the increasing emphasis on user privacy. With data breaches and unauthorized tracking making headlines, consumers are more concerned than ever about their online privacy. The cookieless movement aims to create a more secure and transparent online environment.
Regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States are pushing the digital world towards cookieless solutions as well. These laws require businesses to obtain explicit consent from users before collecting and using their data, making traditional third-party cookies less viable.
How Businesses Can Prepare for the Cookieless Future
In order to tackle the cookieless future, businesses should focus on building direct relationships with their customers. Collecting first-party data through subscriptions, loyalty programs, direct interactions, and first-party cookies can provide valuable insights without compromising user privacy.
Marketers, on the other hand, must update their strategy portfolio. Contextual advertising, which targets ads based on the content of the web page, and privacy-preserving targeting methods like federated learning of cohorts (FLoC) are tactics that are already well-known and now will gain importance as an alternative to third-party-based advertising.
The Takeaway
The journey towards a cookieless future is an opportunity for innovation and growth. By understanding the what, when, and why of this shift, businesses and marketers can stay ahead of the curve, ensuring a seamless transition while prioritizing user privacy and data security. Embracing change, exploring new technologies, and adopting privacy-first strategies will be crucial in thriving in the cookieless era.