Disclosure: DiscoverTec is an affiliate of CookieHub, a consent management platform. We get credit for any CookieHub subscriptions made through the links and discount codes provided by this article. CookieHub did not pay us to write this article, nor did CookieHub provide any content for this article.
Ever since Europe passed the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), cookie tracking has been a popular topic amongst website owners and developers. With additional laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), making sure websites allow users to control what personal data is being collected is mandatory. If you haven’t got a solution in place for your website, the time to act is now.
A consent management platform (CMP) is a tool that website owners use to give their site visitors options on what tracking cookies are allowed to operate on the website during their browsing session. This gives users control over what information is collected by first and third parties.
During a user’s first visit, they’ll see a pop-up message asking them to either accept, decline, or customize what categories of cookies can function during their session.
There are five types of cookies:
A CMP will also let users update their preferences at any time, usually through a widget on the website, and offer names and descriptions of what cookies are running on the website.
If you’re a company that conducts business in the European Union (EU), you’re subjected to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As of 2018, this law aims to protect the privacy of personal data of people in the EU. This includes regulating how businesses collect, use, and store data related to website users. CMPs are designed to help businesses comply with the regulation.
Also in 2018, California passed the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which gives consumers more control over the personal information companies collect. This regulation applies to companies in California and companies that do business with California residents.
The CCPA not only states that users must be notified about what personal information is being collected through a website, but also the right to opt-out of the sharing of their personal information. Failing to provide users with these options has opened businesses to litigation. Specifically, cases have been targeting websites that make use of cookies/pixels from advertising platforms without letting users opt out of the tracking.
There are plenty of options out there and most of them provide a similar experience. The key features to look for include:
If your website takes advantage of Google Tag Manager, then it’s worth finding a CMP vendor that is integrated with Google’s Consent Mode. This makes the installation process much easier. Google provides a list of CMP platforms that are already integrated to make choosing one simpler.
The Consent Mode integration lets you categorize what cookies/scripts belong in what category as long as they’re being deployed through Tag Manager. Other solutions could require making code-level changes directly to the website.
SilkTide just released their free cookie banner solution, which includes support for Google’s Consent Mode. There are some files you need installed along with a script, but you can’t beat the price.
CookieHub is a CMP solution with pricing tiers based on website sessions and specifically addresses many of the regulatory requirements within the United States, including CCPA, and can be fully installed through Google Tag Manager. There’s a 30-day free trial available so you can test out the solution, and you can use the discount code NDGXNZG2 to get 10% off all subscriptions. If your website receives under 5,000 sessions monthly, you can sign up for a free version.
If you’re not sure what vendor to go with or are looking for a partner to get you set up with a CMP, DiscoverTec is here to help manage all of that for you. We can also address other regulatory concerns like WCAG 2.1 A to AAA accessibility compliance. Contact us today for website compliance solutions.
Published on: February 20, 2025 by Ryan Brooks