Web Analytics Key terms

What are cookies?

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Published on Mar 31, 2023 and edited on May 4, 2023 by Iron Brands

Cookies are small text files stored on a user's device by a web browser when a user accesses a website. Cookies are typically created when a user accesses a website and are stored on the user's device in a cookies folder or directory. When the user returns to the website, their web browser will automatically send the cookies back to the website, which can use the information in the cookies to tailor the user's experience and monitor traffic.

Cookies can be first-party or third-party. First-party cookies are set by the website a user is visiting, while third-party cookies are placed by advertising networks or third-party services embedded in a website.

Third-party cookies can also be used to track the user's activities across different websites to build a profile of the user's interests and preferences for the purpose of targeted advertising.

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