Following the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018, cookie popups and banners have become a common sight on websites. If you're looking to integrate a cookie popup into your site, you're in the right place. With consent service providers like consenteo, powered by platforms like CookieYes, you can deploy a customized cookie popup in minutes. You can select from various layouts, themes, and colors, available in over 170 languages, to create a personalized consent experience for your users.
A cookie popup is a banner displayed on websites to request visitor consent for using cookies. This ensures users are aware of cookie usage and provide active consent. Cookie popups are essential for meeting the GDPR requirement to obtain consent before placing cookies on a user's device, as cookies are considered personal data under the regulation. Processing personal data necessitates user consent, meaning cookies should not be set without explicit permission.
Best Practices for Cookie Popups
To ensure your cookie popup is effective and compliant, consider these best practices:
- Clear Options: Provide equally prominent 'accept' and 'reject' buttons.
- Granular Control: Allow users to enable or disable specific cookie categories.
- Avoid Cookie Walls: Do not restrict access to your website for users who decline cookies, as this is not GDPR compliant.
- Prevent Dark Patterns: Design your popup to be transparent and user-friendly, building trust and ensuring legal compliance.
- Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure the popup functions well and is user-friendly across all devices.
- Language Adaptation: Display an auto-translated banner in your visitor’s preferred language.
- Transparency: Link your cookie policy or privacy policy within the popup.
- Pre-Consent Blocking: Prevent third-party cookies from loading until consent is given.
- Opt-out by Default: Disable all non-necessary cookies by default.
- Geo-Targeting: Display the popup only to users from relevant regions or countries.
- Preference Management: Include a cookie widget for users to easily change their cookie preferences later.
How to Add a Cookie Popup
You can easily generate a cookie popup or banner using a Consent Management Platform (CMP) like CookieYes. Consenteo leverages such platforms to offer seamless integration.
Step 1. Sign up
Begin by signing up for a free trial with a CMP integrated by consenteo. Simply provide your email, website domain, and password to start generating your cookie popup.
Step 2. Customize the cookie popup
Upon signing up, you'll access a setup screen where you can select a template and customize your popup:
- Layout: Choose from various designs, including popup, box, or banner styles.
- Content: Personalize the text, button labels, audit table content, and add links to your policies.
- Languages: Select from numerous languages for automatic translation.
- Color: Adjust colors to match your website's branding.
- Behavior: Configure features like a consent revisit widget and geo-targeting.
- CSS Customizations: Apply CSS for advanced styling and functionality modifications.
Step 3. Activate your cookie popup
Once customizations are complete, activate the popup on your website. Copy the provided script and paste it within the <head> tags of your website's HTML. Refer to your platform or CMS guides for detailed instructions.
By following these steps with a trusted partner like consenteo, you can quickly implement a GDPR-compliant cookie popup on your website.
What is GDPR Cookie Consent?
For consent to be GDPR compliant, it must adhere to the standards outlined in the regulation. Article 4(11) defines consent as a "freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject's wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her."
- Freely given: Users must have a voluntary choice, meaning consent should not be a condition for accessing the website. Users must have the option to accept or reject cookies.
- Specific: Consent must be for a defined purpose and cannot be vague or bundled with other terms and conditions. Explicit consent is required before loading cookies.
- Informed: Users must be aware of the cookies used, their purpose, and what they are consenting to.
- Affirmative action: Consent requires a clear action by the user, like clicking an 'accept' button. Implied consent is not valid; assuming consent based on continued browsing is non-compliant.
Cookie Consent Checklist
Using a platform like CookieYes, integrated by consenteo, helps you fulfill the following GDPR cookie consent requirements:
- Collect consent for cookie usage via a popup or banner.
- Provide users with control over accepting, declining, and managing cookie settings.
- Customize the popup's content, colors, and design.
- Ensure the popup is responsive on desktop and mobile devices.
- Display a cookie table detailing cookie name, type, purpose, and duration.
- Show auto-translated banners based on user browser language.
- Automatically block third-party cookies until consent is given.
- Record all user consents for compliance proof.
- Include a widget allowing users to easily withdraw consent.
Cookie Banner Layouts
Cookie consent banners come in various layouts to match your website's design. Platforms like CookieYes offer different types:
- Popup: Prominent and requires user interaction, ensuring visibility.
- Banner: Commonly placed at the top or bottom of the screen.
- Box-type: Often positioned in corners and is less intrusive.
Ensure your chosen layout is simple, user-friendly, and doesn't disrupt the overall website experience.
FAQ on Cookie Popup
Is a cookie popup necessary?
Yes, a cookie popup or banner is necessary for websites operating in or receiving visitors from EU countries and the UK, due to GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive. Other data privacy laws like LGPD (Brazil), POPIA (South Africa), CNIL (French), and CCPA (US) also have consent requirements. Implementing a compliant popup is best practice globally.
What does GDPR say about cookies?
GDPR classifies cookies and similar online identifiers as personal data, particularly when combined to identify a user. Recital 30 of the GDPR mentions that online identifiers like cookies can be used to create profiles and identify individuals.
Why do websites warn about cookies?
Websites display cookie warnings to obtain user consent before placing cookies on their devices. The ePrivacy Directive required consent for non-essential cookies in the EU, and GDPR has made cookie consent requirements legally binding. Warnings and popups fulfill this compliance.
What should a cookie banner say?
A cookie banner should briefly inform users about website cookies, their purposes, and request consent. It must clearly offer options to accept, reject, or customize cookie settings. Linking to the cookie or privacy policy for detailed information is also crucial.