Cookies aren’t just a delicious snack nowadays, and many people don’t understand what they are or how they function in the realm of technology. Cookies are a type of online tech that allows data collection in order to track online user behavior. Both first and third party cookies are similar in their purposes, but are both collected and used in different fashions.
What are First Party Cookies?
First Party Cookies
First party cookies are pieces of information that are stored directly at the domain or website that you visit online. These types of cookies make it easy for website owners to collect data, remember language settings, analyze consumers’ behavior, and expedite user experience functionality.
For example, if an online user logs into any kind of e-commerce website, the web browser automatically sends a request to store the information that the user is directly interacting with that e-commerce site. The web browser saves that file full of data to the actual computer under the particular domain. If the user has first party cookies blocked, they would have to sign in every time they visited that site and would not be able to buy multiple items during online shopping sessions because the cart would simply reset after each individual item was added to it.
Third Party Cookies
Another type of cookies are third-party cookies, and these are created by other domains that are not the specific website that the user is visiting. These types of cookies are typically used for online advertising and placed on a website through either a tag or what’s called a script. These third-party cookies only function on websites that are able to load the third party server code.
Third-party cookies also work in a similar fashion to first party cookies in that they load on the page when a user is shopping on an e-commerce site. If a user spends time looking at various different products, but only ends up buying one of those products, they may later receive advertisements or emails about the products they didn’t purchase as third party cookies are trying to advertise the items they now know the consumer is interested in.
Third Party Cookies vs First Party Cookies
The most important differences between third party vs first party cookies include –
- Browser blocking and support: First party cookies are regularly supported by all browsers, but can be deleted or blocked by the individual user. Third-party cookies are also supported by all browsers, but many browsers are now blocking the creation and use of third-party cookies by default. Users can also delete third-party cookies on their own if they do not want their information shared with advertisers.
- How the cookie is set: A first party cookie is set by the web server of the publisher or by a JavaScript program that is loaded onto the website. A third party cookie, however, can be reset by a different third party server, such as an ad tech vendor or by using a code on the publisher’s individual website.
- Cookie availability: The domain that created the first party cookie is the only domain it is available to, while a third party cookie is generally accessible on any third-party website that is able to load the third-party server’s code onto it.
Three29 is your Marketing Expert with Personal Client Service
At Three29 we want to help you build your ideal website and ensure you understand how cookies can enhance your site’s user experience and streamline your advertising. Our exceptional team of professionals offers a variety of both digital and print marketing services and always puts client satisfaction first.
Contact us today via our online form or give us a call at (916) 512-3290 and allow us to maximize your company’s marketing potential.
