Clym Logo

Cross-Site Tracking

What is Cross-Site Tracking?

Cross-site tracking is the practice of collecting data about a user’s browsing activity across multiple, unrelated websites. This is typically achieved using third-party cookies, tracking pixels, or embedded social widgets. For example, if you view a product on an e-commerce store and later see an ad for that same product on a news site, cross-site tracking was used to share your identity between those domains.

Why does Cross-Site Tracking matter?

Cross-site tracking allows companies to build detailed profiles of a user's interests, health, and habits without their explicit knowledge. This has led to strict privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA, which require explicit consent (Opt-In) or offer the right to Opt-Out. Modern browsers like Safari and Firefox now block this behavior by default to protect user anonymity.

FAQs about Cross-Site Tracking

It is not illegal, but it is highly regulated. Under the GDPR, websites must obtain explicit consent before tracking. Under the CCPA, users must be able to opt-out of the "sale or sharing" of data for cross-context advertising.

Most modern browsers (Safari, Firefox, Brave) block it by default. In Chrome, you can disable third-party cookies in settings. Using a Consent Management Platform (CMP) also allows you to deny consent for marketing cookies.

Same-site tracking monitors behavior only within a single website (e.g., keeping items in a cart). Cross-site tracking follows you from that store to Facebook, Google, and other publishers.