First Party Cookies vs Third Party Cookies – A Detailed Guide

Aren’t you curious about which ones to choose between first party cookies vs third party cookies?

Cookies enhance user privacy, personalize our online experience, and store preferences on our websites. However, they also carry risks because they track and collect user data without permission.

When a user accesses a website, the website frequently requests the user’s browser to save a small text file, called a cookie, on their device.

User preferences, session information, and unique identifiers are all contained in this cookie. While numerous cookies have different functions, tracking cookies track and log a user’s online activities. 

They allow websites and outside advertisers to gather information about pages visited, links clicked, and other actions, which helps them compile a comprehensive profile of the user’s preferences and interests.

Now that we’ve understood the basics, let’s move to the main content.

Table Of Contents

It is essential to understand how first party cookies vs third party cookies differ in functionality and user privacy implications. Let’s delve into each type of cookie’s distinct characteristics and effects.

What are First-Party Cookies? 

The website the user visits creates first-party cookies, which the browser then stores.They collect and store information about how you interact with the website, such as preferences, login details, and usage patterns. 

The website uses this data to customize content, provide relevant recommendations, and enable specific website features, enhancing the user experience.

Benefits of First-Party Cookies

Now let us take a look at some of the benefits that party cookies offer 

1. Improved User Experience

Because first-party cookies remember user preferences, settings, and past interactions, they are essential to improving the overall user experience. This allows websites to customize features and content according to users’ unique browsing habits, improving convenience and personalization.

2. Personalized Recommendations

Websites can use data gathered through first-party cookies to provide users with personalized recommendations, such as items, articles, or services matching their interests and previous activities. This level of personalization increases users’ likelihood of interacting with the website and engaging better.

3. Features of a Shopping Cart

First-party cookies are necessary on e-commerce websites to keep the shopping cart working. These cookies facilitate the tracking of items that customers have added to their carts and store cart data for later visits. They ensure a seamless shopping experience by retaining selected items during browsing sessions.

Privacy Implications of First-Party Cookies

Privacy issues may still arise despite the general consideration that first-party cookies are less intrusive than third-party cookies.

These cookies can potentially track user activity and behavior across successive sessions since they gather and retain user data within the domain from which they originate.

First-party cookies can collect data that worries users, especially if that data contains sensitive information or is used for targeted advertising. Websites must allow users to easily control their privacy settings and cookie choices and be open and honest about how they employ first-party cookies.

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What are Third-Party Cookies?

Understanding the role of third-party cookies is crucial for web tracking and data collection. They operate differently from first-party cookies and have distinct implications for user privacy.

Third-party cookies are set by domains other than the website domain the user is visiting. They are commonly used for cross-domain tracking, aggregating user data from various sites to create detailed user profiles and facilitate targeted advertising across different online platforms.

The Role of Third-Party Cookies in Advertising

Let us check how third-party cookies play a role.

1. Targeted Advertising

One essential function of third-party cookies is to facilitate targeted advertising. By collecting data from multiple websites, these cookies enable advertisers to deliver tailored ads based on a user’s browsing behavior across various online platforms, aiming to increase relevance and engagement.

2. Behavioral Tracking

Third-party cookies play a pivotal role in behavioral tracking. They allow for monitoring user actions and preferences across different websites, thereby enabling the delivery of personalized content and advertising delivery.

Privacy Concerns with Third-Party Cookies

When discussing first party cookies vs third party cookies, it’s essential to acknowledge the privacy concerns associated with third-party cookie usage:

1. Data Breaches

Third-party cookies’ collection and aggregation of user data raise concerns about the potential for data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

2. Online Tracking

Third-party cookies’ tracking capabilities across multiple websites can lead to extensive online tracking, prompting concerns about user privacy and control over personal data.

First-Party Cookies vs Third-Party Cookies Compared 

Here is a basic difference table comparing first party cookies vs third party cookies.

AspectsFirst Party Cookies Third Party CookiesDefinition Placed by the website being visitedPlaced by domains other than the one being visitedUsageTypically used for site functionality and performanceOften used for tracking, advertising, and analyticsPrivacy ImplicationsGenerally considered less intrusiveThis can raise privacy concerns due to third-party trackingBrowser SupportWidely accepted and allowed by most browsersIncreasingly restricted by browsers due to privacy concernsSecurity RisksGenerally lower risk due to being tied to the website domainHigher risk as they can be used to track users across multiple sitesRegulationTypically subject to less stringent privacy regulationsOften scrutinized under data protection and privacy lawsControl over dataGenerally more transparent and controllable by the websiteData control often lies with third-party service providersAd targetingUsed less for targeted advertisingCommonly used for targeted advertising and remarketingData transferData is typically kept within the website’s ecosystemData can be shared with multiple parties and platforms

Privacy Regulations and Their Impact on First and Third-Party Cookies

The usage of first and third-party cookies in the digital realm is profoundly impacted by privacy regulations. Stringent privacy laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) require companies to reevaluate their cookie practices to ensure compliance and respect user privacy.

These regulations subject first-party cookies, set directly by the website being visited, to greater scrutiny. Websites must transparently inform users about the collection and usage of first-party cookies and provide clear consent mechanisms in line with privacy regulations. 

Furthermore, responsible handling of the data collected through first-party cookies must focus on user consent and data security.

Third-party cookies, which are often used for cross-site tracking and ad targeting, have also been significantly impacted by privacy regulations. Organizations must obtain explicit user consent for using third-party cookies, and individuals have the right to opt out of this tracking. 

As a result, the challenge to the reliance on third-party cookies for targeted advertising and user profiling has led to the exploration of alternative methods that align with privacy regulations while still meeting advertising and analytics needs.

Decline of Third-Party Cookies

Due to the decline of third-party cookies, industries actively need to seek new ways to track user data responsibly and respect privacy boundaries, marking a significant shift towards more user-centric data practices.

1. Browser restrictions

Major web browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox are implementing restrictions on third-party cookies to enhance user privacy. Google’s announcement of its cookieless future in 2022 has accelerated the transition towards alternative tracking methods and privacy-centric solutions.

2. Alternative tracking methods

In response to the decline of third-party cookies, the industry is exploring alternative tracking methods such as first-party data collection, contextual advertising, and technologies like browser fingerprinting. 

These methods give advertisers and publishers insights while prioritizing user privacy and consent. Additionally, new advertising standards and frameworks are developed to address the challenges posed by diminishing reliance on third-party cookies.

3. Privacy-enhancing technologies

With the decline of third-party cookies, the focus has shifted towards privacy-enhancing technologies that offer innovative data analysis and targeting while safeguarding user privacy. 

The evolving landscape of online tracking and advertising is driving a fundamental shift in how data is collected and utilized, with a strong emphasis on user privacy, control, and ethical data practice.

What is The Future of Cookies?

As privacy concerns and changing rules continue to transform the digital ecosystem, there will be substantial changes in the future of cookies. 

Multiple factors are shaping the future of cookies:

Privacy laws: More stringent privacy laws, like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, have restricted the use and gathering of cookies, especially third-party cookies.

Changes to Web Browsers: Popular web browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox limit or eliminate support for third-party cookies to improve user privacy and prevent cross-site monitoring.

Alternative Technologies: New technologies, including privacy-focused solutions like contextual advertising and browser fingerprinting, identify and monitor users based on their device and browser parameters.

Industry Initiatives: To balance privacy concerns with the need for targeted advertising and analytics, the advertising and technology sectors are investigating alternate solutions, such as creating new advertising standards and frameworks.

Consent Management: Better consent management platforms and solutions are being developed due to the growing emphasis on obtaining user consent for cookie usage and transparently disclosing data collection practices.

As privacy-enhancing technologies gain popularity, Differential privacy, homomorphic encryption, and federated learning are examples of privacy-enhancing technologies that are becoming more widely used and may open up new avenues for data analysis without sacrificing personal privacy.

Future cookie policies probably include a stronger focus on user control and openness and a move toward more privacy-centric data collection and use methods. 

FAQ 

1. How are cookies from the first party used? 

First-party cookies are created by the website you are visiting and are only accessible by it. Their primary duties include delivering tailored content and tracking customer preferences.

2. How do cookies from third parties operate? 

Websites other than the one being browsed may set cookies from third-party domains. These can track users across numerous websites, gathering data for analytics and customized advertising.

3. What happens if you disable cookies from third parties?

Certain websites use third-party tracking for analytics and marketing purposes; thus, disabling third-party cookies may decrease customized advertising, among other consequences.

4. Are cookies the only tools used to monitor user activity online?

No, additional tracking technologies, such as pixel tags, web beacons, and device fingerprinting, can also be used to follow user behavior in addition to cookies.

5. What are the key differences between first-party and third-party cookies, and how do these differences impact user privacy and online tracking practices?

First-party cookies are set by the website you visit, enhancing user experience. 3rd party cookies, set by other domains, track user behavior across sites for advertising and analytics, raising privacy concerns.  

Conclusion

In this detailed guide on first party cookies vs third party cookies, we need to understand that to browse the internet safely and securely; it is essential to understand how they operate. While first-party cookies are undoubtedly helpful in customizing your browser experience, third-party cookies should be avoided at all costs.

However, given that businesses like Google and Apple are still working to remove Google third-party cookies, it’s crucial to understand how browsers treat first-party vs. third-party cookies and when to accept them.

To comply with laws and regulations worldwide, we recommend you use the WP Cookie Consent plugin. This plugin will help you enable and create a custom cookie consent banner for your website. In addition to the banner, the plugin offers several features, including consent logs, script blockers, geo-targeting, and more.

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