Many analytics tools, like Google Analytics, use cookies to track and identify users over time. This is true even if the user changes other identifiers along the way, such as their IP address. These cookies allow not only analytics software to track users but also ad companies to customize and target advertisements to visitors across different websites.
This article will explore the pros and cons of using cookies in WordPress analytics software and suggest alternatives that don’t require them.
What do regulators say about cookies?
According to PECR, the website owner must “tell people about analytics cookies” and obtain consent to their use. You must tell the user about cookies, their purpose, and how you use them on your website.
According to GDPR, If you use cookies, the situation may become more complex since you will have to:
Before using any cookies, except for strictly necessary cookies, you must receive the consent of users. Before permission is obtained, provide clear and accurate information in plain English about the data that each cookie tracks and its purpose.
Documentation and storage of consent received by users.
Allow your users to use your service, even if they do not allow certain cookies.
Make the process of withdrawing consent for users as simple as giving consent.
Can analytics be trusted without cookies?
Yes, definitely. Today, all technologies used in analytics have their pros and cons.
When using cookies, for example, analytics products can miss tech-savvy users who block cookies in their browsers or who frequently clear cookies from their browsers.
If cookies are not being used, other methods can be used. The IP address can be used to count visitors and track their actions.
According to our tests, cookie-less analytics have an error margin that is no higher than using cookies. It’s 5%-10% on average of total traffic.
Do you require a cookie consent bar when using Google Analytics?
According to GDPR, you must present a cookie consent banner to your users when using an analytics product that uses cookies. You should ask them if they approve of the use of cookies and let them disapprove.
The analytics software will not store any metrics for the user if he does not consent to the storage of cookies. This can have a negative impact on your analytics results.
What tool can I use to track WP without cookies?
If you are looking for an analytics tool that is not based on cookies, then you should try Visualime. It will track your WordPress metrics after a simple installation. This includes the number of visitors, the most visited pages, and much more. It will also generate automated insights (powered AI) about how to improve and increase your conversions by your CTA.
