First-Party Cookie
What does first-party cookie mean?
A first-party cookie is created and stored by the website a user is directly visiting. They allow websites to remember user preferences, authentication sessions, shopping carts, and site-specific analytics.
How do first-party cookies work?
They are set by the website’s server or scripts running on it and are only accessible within that domain. They can be temporary (session cookies) or persistent, lasting days to years.
Why are they important?
First-party cookies are often considered less invasive than third-party cookies, but some uses (like analytics or marketing) still require consent under GDPR or CCPA.
FAQs about first-party cookies
It depends. Cookies used strictly for functionality (like authentication or shopping carts) do not. Cookies used for analytics or personalization generally do.
No. Unlike third-party cookies, browsers are not removing them. They remain essential for basic website functionality and user experience.
No. They are domain-specific and do not follow users beyond the site that created them.
It varies. Session cookies expire when the browser closes. Persistent cookies last until a set expiration date, which can range from days to years.
Yes. Even if consent is not required, privacy regulations expect businesses to list essential and non-essential cookies in their cookie policies.