Why cookie banners are a bad idea
Cookie banners are annoying!
We're all familiar with those annoying cookie banners that pop up when you visit almost every website. Most web designers will tell you that these are absolutely necessary, as otherwise the use of cookies would violate GDPR.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file that is stored on your computer by a website you are currently visiting. It can store information such as your language preferences, login details, or the contents of a shopping cart. This allows the website to recognize you the next time you visit and, for example, display personalized content. Cookies therefore help make using a website more convenient and personalized. However, they can also be used to document your browsing behavior.
Most cookie banners, or more correctly: “cookie consent banners,” distinguish between these 4 types of cookies:
- Essential or necessary cookies
- Functional cookies
- Performance cookies
- Tracking and advertising cookies
Except for theessential cookiesyou actually need the visitor's consent. And since the website operator is interested in visitor behavior, they need the tracking and advertising cookies. At this point, they have to ask the visitor for permission. But...
What happens if the visitor rejects cookies?
How does a refusal affect tracking and visitor statistics?
If everything is configured correctly, visitor statistics will still run, but a visitor won't be recognized on a subsequent visit. The statistics on returning visitors are therefore no longer valid – especially since you don't know what percentage declined and what percentage didn't.
The most important statement that one wants to evaluate by asking for cookie permission is therefore not valid either way.
No useful results are obtained
And that means: You don't even need to ask for permission, because even with permission you won't get any useful results.
Google Analytics may not be operated without a cookie consent banner!
As of 2024, 50-70% of websites in the EU that use an analytics tool will use Google Analytics. And it's true that, among other things, the cookie consent banner is mandatory for Google Analytics. This means:Use a different analysis tool!
I use Matomo Analytics (formerly Piwik) on all websites, which can be used in compliance with the GDPR.
Conclusion
By dispensing with marketing cookies, we no longer require a cookie banner and can still achieve valid visitor statistics, e.g., via Matomo. Only returning visitors cannot be accurately recorded statistically - even if onewithCookie Banner works.
...If anything is still unclear, please let me know!
