How to Navigate Google's Cookie Changes in 2024

Google Chrome, a browser used by approximately 65% of internet users worldwide, has announced plans to restrict third-party cookies for 1% of their users starting January 4th, 2024. By the third quarter of the year, this restriction will extend to 100% of users, pending the resolution of any remaining concerns by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority. 

For website owners, the impending cookie changes are not only about ensuring compliance with evolving privacy regulations but also about rethinking their entire digital strategy to maintain effective advertising. 

This development is part of a broader initiative called the Privacy Sandbox, aimed at reducing cross-site tracking while maintaining the functionality that keeps online content and services accessible to all. But what does this mean for your website, and what actions should you be taking to prepare?

Understanding Third-Party Cookies

Firstly, you should understand what third-party cookies are and the role they play in online advertising. 

Third-party cookies are created by domains other than the one the user is visiting directly. They are used for cross-site tracking, allowing advertisers and websites to gather and track information about a user's internet activities for targeted advertising purposes.

The Problem with Third-Party Cookies

Third-party cookies have long been a staple in the digital world, enabling critical functionality across sign-in processes, fraud protection, advertising, and the embedding of rich, third-party content on sites. However, they also serve as a primary enabler of cross-site tracking, raising significant privacy concerns.

Implications of Google's Changes

Google's decision to eliminate support for third-party cookies in its Chrome browser has far-reaching implications. For website owners and advertisers, this means finding alternative ways to track and target users with ads. It signals a shift away from invasive tracking practices toward a more privacy-centric web.

The changes present several challenges, such as:

• The loss of granular user data for ad targeting
• Potential disruptions to ad personalisation and retargeting
• The need to establish direct relationships with users for data collection
• Rethinking digital strategies to work within a more privacy-focused ecosystem

Google consent mode V2

These regulations stipulate that large advertising platforms like Google and Meta must collect user consent for their advertising services. Google has made it obligatory for advertisers to adopt Consent Mode V2. This feature allows Google to determine if a user has given consent for tracking via their cookie banner and adjust tags and tracking accordingly. It's worth noting that these regulations apply to all users in the European Economic Area (EEA).

The "V2" in Consent Mode V2 refers to two new variables that need to be set up: 'ad_user_data' and 'ad_personalization'. These variables inform Google if a user has granted or denied consent for tracking advertising cookies and using personalised information for remarketing, respectively.

Failure to implement Consent Mode V2 could result in severe consequences, including potential fines for non-compliance with EEA regulations, loss of valuable conversion tracking data, inability to build audience/remarketing lists, and loss of personalised ads. Conversely, complying with Consent Mode V2 not only adheres to EEA regulations but also prevents significant data losses, adjusts tag behaviour based on cookie consent status, recovers lost conversions using Conversion Modeling, and maintains audience building in the EEA region. 

Preparing for the Changes

It is expected that third-party cookies will be eliminated from browsers by the end of 2024. To adapt to the cookie updates, website owners need to take measures well ahead of Google's deadline. 

Here are the steps you must consider:

1. Evaluate Current Cookie Usage and Alternatives

Before you can begin preparing for the change, it's crucial to understand how your site currently uses cookies. Take the time to audit your site for third-party cookies, identifying where and how they're being used. This will help you determine the impact of the deprecation and what steps need to be taken.

With the Privacy Sandbox providing alternative APIs for functionality like advertising and identity, now is the time to start evaluating these alternatives and implementing them on your site. Look into solutions such as first-party cookies, server-side tagging, and privacy-focused identification methods.

2. Assess Data Collection and Privacy Policies

Review and, if necessary, update your privacy policy to reflect any changes in how data is collected and managed post-cookie update. Transparency is key to building and maintaining trust with your visitors.

3. Explore Alternative Tracking Methods

Though there's no one-size-fits-all solution for replacing third-party cookies, many alternative tracking methods are emerging. Consider solutions like first-party data collection, aggregated reporting, and contextual advertising as part of your post-cookie strategy.

Adapting Advertising Strategies

The cookie changes will profoundly impact the dynamics of online advertising. 

Here's how you can pivot your advertising strategies:

Contextual Advertising

With the loss of third-party cookies, contextual advertising is set to gain prominence. It involves displaying ads based on the content of the web page, rather than the user's browsing history. Start gearing your advertising campaigns to target audiences based on page context and user intent.

First-Party Data Utilisation

Leverage the data you collect directly from your website visitors. Develop campaigns that are informed by the preferences and behaviours of first-party data, such as email sign-up forms, newsletters or onsite interactions. 

Collaborating with Trusted Partners

Partnerships with trusted third parties can provide access to user data in a privacy-compliant manner. Work with publishers and ad tech partners who prioritise data privacy and build your advertising strategy around these collaborations.

Building Stronger Customer Relationships

In a cookie-less environment, cultivating strong customer relationships is more critical than ever. Here's how you can personalise experiences while respecting user privacy:

Implement Opt-In Mechanisms

Provide visitors with the option to opt-in to data collection and personalisation. Implement clear and user-friendly opt-in prompts to capture consent and ensure compliance with privacy laws.

Enhance Data Transparency and Privacy Controls

Focus on enhancing user control over their data. Offer robust privacy settings that allow visitors to easily manage their preferences, including the ability to opt out of personalised advertising. You should implement a clear cookie policy on your website. Whether you do this via a separate cookie policy page or a dedicated section on your website such as within a privacy policy. This is required by law to meet GDPR practices. 

How to monitor customer data without the use of third-party cookies

If you or your team members are in charge of advertising and digital marketing campaigns you may need to rethink the strategy you are using when controlling customer data. 

Utilising First-Party Data

Collect data from first-party cookies instead. You can still gather this information through methods like newsletters and email sign-up forms, which provide direct communication channels. It's important to note that with first-party cookie data, you have ownership of the information, and it tends to be more accurate compared to third-party data.

Implementing Attribution Models

Adopt multi-touch attribution models to understand the various touchpoints influencing a consumer's path to conversion. This could involve a combination of on-site interactions, email engagement, and other non-cookie tracking metrics.

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) 

Use tools like Google Analytics 4 that are designed to work with first-party data to measure campaign effectiveness and to gain insights into the demographics and behaviour of your website visitors. Upgrading from the free version will provide access to specific data and enable tracking for both websites and apps.

If you need any help implementing these new changes to your website and marketing strategy then get in touch. We are happy to help you ensure your website is compliant.