Generate Your GDPR-Compliant Cookie Policy in Minutes

If your website uses cookies (and 99.9% of websites do), you need a cookie policy—especially if you serve visitors from the European Union. The GDPR and ePrivacy Directive require clear disclosure of cookie usage and user consent for non-essential cookies.

Our free Cookie Policy Generator creates a comprehensive, GDPR-compliant cookie policy tailored to the types of cookies your website uses. No legal expertise required—just honest disclosure.

Why Your Website Needs a Cookie Policy

Cookie policies aren't optional for EU-facing websites—they're legally required:

1. GDPR Compliance

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) considers cookies to be personal data. Key requirements:

Transparency: You must clearly disclose what cookies you use and why

Consent: Non-essential cookies require explicit user consent

Control: Users must be able to accept, reject, or customize cookie preferences

Access: Cookie policy must be easily accessible (usually in footer)

Penalties: GDPR fines for cookie violations can reach €20 million or 4% of global revenue (whichever is higher).

Real examples:

Google: €50 million (2019) for lack of valid cookie consent

British Airways: €22 million (cookie-related data breach)

TikTok: €5 million (2023) for making it harder to reject cookies than accept

2. ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law)

The EU ePrivacy Directive (often called "Cookie Law") specifically regulates cookies:

Implemented in all EU member states

Requires informed consent before setting non-essential cookies

"Pre-ticked boxes" for consent are illegal

Consent must be "freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous"

Key point: Continuing to browse does NOT constitute consent. Users must actively opt-in.

3. Trust and Transparency

Beyond legal requirements, cookie policies build trust:

85% of consumers are concerned about online privacy

73% won't do business with companies they don't trust with data

67% read privacy/cookie policies before making purchases

A clear cookie policy shows:

✅ You respect user privacy

✅ You're transparent about data collection

✅ You comply with regulations

✅ You're a legitimate, professional business

4. Required by Platforms and Partners

Many services require cookie policies:

Google Ads: Requires cookie disclosure for advertisers

Facebook Business Manager: Needs privacy/cookie policy

Payment processors: Stripe, PayPal often require cookie policies

App stores: iOS and Android require privacy disclosures

What Are Cookies? (Simple Explanation)

Cookies are small text files stored on a visitor's device when they visit your website. They allow websites to:

Remember login status

Store shopping cart items

Track user preferences (language, theme)

Analyze traffic and behavior

Display personalized ads

Cookies are not viruses and can't access personal files or harm computers. They're simply text data used to improve user experience and website functionality.

Types of Cookies You Need to Disclose

Our generator helps you disclose different cookie categories:

1. Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

Purpose: Required for website to function

Consent required: No (exempt)

Examples:

Shopping cart cookies

Login authentication

Security/fraud prevention

Session management

Load balancing

Why exempt: Without these, the website literally can't work. Users implicitly consent by using the site.

2. Analytics Cookies (Performance/Statistics)

Purpose: Understand how visitors use the site

Consent required: Yes

Examples:

Google Analytics

Heatmap tools (Hotjar, Crazy Egg)

A/B testing tools (Optimizely)

Traffic analysis

Error tracking

What they collect:

Page views

Time on site

Click patterns

Device information

Anonymized visitor data

GDPR consideration: If you anonymize IP addresses and don't use analytics for marketing, you might argue "legitimate interest." But explicit consent is safer.

3. Functional Cookies (Preferences)

Purpose: Remember user choices for enhanced experience

Consent required: Debatable (safest to get consent)

Examples:

Language preference

Currency selection

Theme (dark/light mode)

Recently viewed products

Video player settings

Gray area: Some argue these enhance experience and don't invade privacy. Others say any non-essential cookie needs consent.

Recommendation: Get consent to be safe.

4. Advertising Cookies (Marketing/Targeting)

Purpose: Display personalized ads based on browsing

Consent required: Yes (definitely)

Examples:

Google Ads remarketing

Facebook Pixel

LinkedIn Insight Tag

Twitter tracking

AdRoll, Criteo (retargeting)

What they do:

Track across websites

Build interest profiles

Show targeted ads

Measure ad effectiveness

GDPR stance: Clearly requires opt-in consent.

5. Social Media Cookies

Purpose: Social sharing and embedded content

Consent required: Yes

Examples:

Facebook Like button

Twitter/X sharing

Instagram embeds

YouTube videos (embedded)

Pinterest Save button

Issue: Social media platforms set their own cookies when you embed their content, even if users don't interact.

Best practice: Only load social widgets after consent is given.

What Should a Cookie Policy Include?

Our generator creates policies with all essential sections:

1. What Cookies Are

Plain-language explanation of what cookies are and how they work.

2. Types of Cookies You Use

Detailed breakdown of each category (essential, analytics, advertising, etc.) with:

Purpose of each type

Specific examples (Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel)

What data they collect

How long they're stored

3. Why You Use Cookies

Clear explanation of purposes:

Essential functionality

Improving user experience

Analyzing website performance

Personalizing content

Displaying relevant advertising

4. Third-Party Cookies

Disclosure of cookies set by third parties:

Analytics providers (Google, Mixpanel)

Advertising networks (Facebook, Google Ads)

Social media platforms

Payment processors

Customer support tools (live chat, help desk)

Important: You don't control third-party cookies, so link to their privacy/cookie policies.

5. Cookie Duration

How long cookies remain on user's device:

Session cookies: Deleted when browser closes

Persistent cookies: Remain for X days/years

Specific durations: List for each cookie type

Example:

> "Analytics cookies are stored for up to 2 years. Advertising cookies typically expire after 90 days."

6. How to Control/Delete Cookies

Instructions for users to:

Accept or reject cookies via consent banner

Change preferences in browser settings

Delete existing cookies

Opt out of advertising cookies

Browser instructions for:

Chrome

Firefox

Safari

Edge

Mobile browsers

7. Opt-Out Tools

Links to third-party opt-out tools:

[Google Ads Settings](https://adssettings.google.com/)

[Facebook Ad Preferences](https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences/)

[Network Advertising Initiative](https://optout.networkadvertising.org/)

[Digital Advertising Alliance](https://optout.aboutads.info/)

8. Impact of Disabling Cookies

What happens if users reject cookies:

Some features may not work

Website may not remember preferences

Login may not persist

Shopping cart may not work

Honesty: Be transparent about functionality loss, but don't exaggerate to scare users into accepting.

9. Changes to Cookie Policy

How and when you'll update the policy:

Notification method (email, website banner)

Effective date of changes

Where to find previous versions

10. Contact Information

How users can contact you with questions:

Email address

Mailing address (if EU-based business)

Privacy officer contact (if applicable)

Cookie Consent: What You Need to Know

Having a cookie policy is only half of GDPR compliance. You also need valid consent.

What Makes Consent Valid Under GDPR?

✅ Freely given: No coercion, no consequences for refusing

✅ Specific: Separate consent for different purposes (analytics vs advertising)

✅ Informed: Clear explanation of what's being consented to

✅ Unambiguous: Explicit action required (clicking "Accept")

✅ Documented: Record of who consented, when, and to what

✅ Revocable: Easy to withdraw consent

Invalid Consent Methods

❌ Pre-checked boxes: Illegal under GDPR

❌ Cookie walls: "Accept cookies or leave" (considered coercion)

❌ Implied consent: "By continuing to browse..." (not explicit enough)

❌ Bundled consent: All-or-nothing (must allow granular choices)

❌ Hidden consent: Consent request buried in privacy policy

Valid Consent Methods

✅ Banner with clear options: "Accept All" | "Reject All" | "Customize"

✅ Granular choices: Separate toggles for analytics, advertising, social

✅ Easy to find policy: Link to full cookie policy in banner

✅ Pre-selected essentials only: Other categories off by default

✅ Documented preferences: Store user's choices

Cookie Consent Banner Best Practices

Beyond just having a policy, you need a consent banner (popup):

Essential Elements

Clear purpose statement

> "We use cookies to improve your experience, analyze traffic, and show personalized ads."

Link to full cookie policy

> "See our [Cookie Policy](#) for details."

Three action buttons:

Accept All: Consent to all cookies

Reject All: Only essential cookies

Customize/Settings: Granular control

No pre-checked boxes (except essential cookies)

Equal prominence: "Reject All" should be as easy to find as "Accept All"

Cookie Consent Tools

Don't build consent management from scratch. Use established tools:

Free Tier Options:

Osano: Free for small sites (<100k monthly views)

Termly: Free tier available

CookieScript: Free for basic consent

Paid Options (More Features):

Cookiebot: Popular, GDPR-compliant ($9/month+)

OneTrust: Enterprise solution (expensive but comprehensive)

Usercentrics: EU-based, GDPR-focused

Iubenda: Privacy policy + cookie solution

What these tools do:

Scan your site for cookies

Generate cookie policy

Display consent banner

Block non-essential cookies until consent

Store consent records

Provide user preference management

Common Cookie Policy Mistakes

Avoid these errors that lead to violations:

1. No Cookie Policy at All

❌ Assuming cookies are "technical" and don't need disclosure

✅ Required by law if you use any cookies

Risk: GDPR fines, customer distrust, platform violations

2. Incomplete Cookie Disclosure

❌ Only mentioning obvious cookies, hiding Facebook Pixel

✅ Disclose ALL cookies, including third-party

Detection: Cookie scanners can find undisclosed cookies. Regulators use these tools.

3. Pre-Checked Consent Boxes

❌ "Accept all cookies" pre-selected

✅ Require active, explicit consent

Legal status: Illegal under GDPR. France fined Google €90 million for this.

4. Cookie Walls

❌ "Accept cookies or you can't use our site"

✅ Allow use with only essential cookies

GDPR stance: Consent must be "freely given." Blocking access is coercion. (Some debate on this, but safest to avoid.)

5. Difficult to Reject

❌ "Accept All" prominent, "Reject All" buried in settings

✅ Equal prominence for accept and reject

Recent enforcement: France fined several companies for making rejection harder than acceptance.

6. Setting Cookies Before Consent

❌ Loading Google Analytics/Facebook Pixel immediately

✅ Wait for consent before setting non-essential cookies

Technical fix: Use cookie consent tool that blocks scripts until consent.

7. Vague Descriptions

❌ "We use cookies to improve your experience"

✅ "We use Google Analytics to understand page views and user behavior"

GDPR requirement: Users must be "informed." Vague language doesn't meet this standard.

8. No Opt-Out

❌ "You consented, no take-backs"

✅ Easy way to withdraw consent (preference center)

GDPR right: Users can withdraw consent as easily as they gave it.

Cookie Policy for Different Types of Websites

Customize your policy based on your site:

Simple Informational Website

Cookies used:

Essential only (session)

Maybe basic analytics (Google Analytics)

Policy: Short and simple, focus on why you use analytics (improve content).

eCommerce Store

Cookies used:

Essential (cart, login)

Analytics (Google Analytics, heatmaps)

Advertising (Google Ads, Facebook Pixel)

Possibly social (sharing buttons)

Policy: Comprehensive, explain advertising for remarketing, analytics for UX improvement.

SaaS Platform

Cookies used:

Essential (authentication, preferences)

Analytics (user behavior, feature usage)

Functional (dashboard preferences)

Possibly advertising (acquisition)

Policy: Emphasize functional cookies for user experience, analytics for product improvement.

Blog/Content Site

Cookies used:

Essential (minimal)

Analytics (traffic analysis)

Advertising (display ads, affiliate)

Social (sharing, embeds)

Policy: Focus on analytics for content strategy, ads for monetization, social for sharing.

International Cookie Laws Beyond GDPR

Other regions have cookie regulations:

California (CCPA/CPRA)

Not as strict as GDPR for cookies specifically

Must disclose cookies in privacy policy

"Do Not Sell My Personal Information" opt-out

Cookie IDs can be considered personal information

Brazil (LGPD)

Similar to GDPR

Requires consent for non-essential cookies

Right to access and delete

Canada (PIPEDA)

Consent required for cookies that collect personal information

Must be able to opt out

Australia (Privacy Act)

No specific cookie law, but privacy principles apply

Transparency required about data collection

UK (Post-Brexit)

Retained GDPR and ePrivacy rules

UK ICO enforces cookie compliance

Same requirements as EU

Recommendation: If you serve international audiences, comply with GDPR (strictest standard).

Implementing Your Cookie Policy

Once generated, implement properly:

1. Create Dedicated Page

URL: `/cookie-policy` or `/cookies`

Link from footer (next to Privacy Policy)

Make easily accessible

2. Implement Cookie Consent Banner

Use a tool like Cookiebot:

Sign up for account

Add script to website header

Configure cookie categories

Customize banner design

Link to your cookie policy

Test consent flow

3. Link from Privacy Policy

Include a section or link in your Privacy Policy:

> "For detailed information about cookies we use, see our [Cookie Policy](#)."

4. Audit Your Cookies

Use tools to scan for cookies:

Cookiebot Cookie Checker

OneTrust Cookie Compliance

Browser DevTools (Application → Cookies)

Ensure your policy lists ALL cookies found.

5. Test Consent Mechanism

Verify:

✅ Non-essential cookies blocked until consent

✅ User can accept all, reject all, or customize

✅ Preferences are saved

✅ Banner doesn't appear after choice (for X days)

✅ User can change preferences later

6. Update Regularly

Review when you:

Add new tracking tools (new analytics, pixels)

Change advertising platforms

Integrate new third-party services

Update cookie consent tool

Cookie Policy and SEO

A proper cookie policy can actually help SEO:

1. Trust Signal

Google's algorithms consider trustworthiness. Proper cookie compliance signals:

Legitimate business

Professional operation

Legal compliance

2. Reduces Bounce Rate

GDPR-compliant consent (easy to reject) actually improves user experience compared to cookie walls or deceptive patterns. Better UX = lower bounce rate = better rankings.

3. Required for Google Ads

Can't run Google Ads without proper cookie disclosure. No ads = less traffic = worse SEO indirectly.

4. Avoid Penalties

Google has stated they may penalize sites with deceptive consent practices. Clean compliance = no risk.

Cookie Policy Template Example

Here's a simple structure:

```

COOKIE POLICY

Last Updated: [Date]

WHAT ARE COOKIES

[Simple explanation]

HOW WE USE COOKIES

We use cookies for:

Essential website functionality

Understanding how you use our site (analytics)

Showing you relevant ads (advertising)

TYPES OF COOKIES WE USE

Essential Cookies

[Description, examples, duration]

Analytics Cookies

[Google Analytics, purpose, data collected]

Advertising Cookies

[Facebook Pixel, Google Ads, remarketing]

THIRD-PARTY COOKIES

[List third parties and link to their policies]

HOW TO CONTROL COOKIES

[Browser instructions, opt-out links]

CONTACT US

[Email, address]

```

Use our generator above to create a complete, detailed version.

Real-World Cookie Policy Violations

Learn from others' mistakes:

Case 1: Google (€50 million, 2019)

Violation: Lack of valid consent, pre-checked boxes, bundled consent

Lesson: Get explicit, granular consent

Case 2: Amazon (€746 million, 2021)

Violation: Advertising cookies without proper consent

Lesson: Disclose and get consent for advertising cookies

Case 3: TikTok (€5 million, 2023)

Violation: Making rejection harder than acceptance

Lesson: "Accept" and "Reject" must be equally prominent

Case 4: Austrian Post (€18 million, 2019)

Violation: Sharing customer data without consent (cookie-related)

Lesson: Third-party cookies need disclosure and consent

Beyond Cookies: Other Tracking Technologies

Cookies aren't the only tracking method. Your policy should also cover:

Web Beacons (Pixels)

Tiny invisible images

Track email opens, page views

Used in advertising (Facebook Pixel)

Local Storage

HTML5 storage (larger than cookies)

Stores data locally in browser

Used by modern web apps

Session Storage

Temporary storage during session

Deleted when tab closes

Used for form data, preferences

Fingerprinting

Creating unique user ID from device characteristics

More invasive than cookies

Some consider it circumventing consent

Best practice: Disclose ALL tracking technologies, not just cookies, in your policy.

Start Building Cookie Compliance Today

Don't risk GDPR fines or customer distrust. Use our free Cookie Policy Generator above to create a comprehensive, compliant cookie policy in minutes.

Select which types of cookies you use, specify duration, and generate a policy that covers all essential disclosures.

Then:

Implement a cookie consent banner (Cookiebot, Osano, etc.)

Link your policy in the footer and consent banner

Audit your site for undisclosed cookies

Test your consent mechanism

Remember: Cookie compliance isn't just about avoiding fines—it's about respecting your users' privacy and building long-term trust.

Generate your cookie policy now and take the first step toward full GDPR compliance.