Google Will Be Limiting Cookies: Do You Know How This Could Impact Your Business?

Google has been working behind the scenes to create their dashboard-like function within Chrome to give users control over cookies (no not the kind you eat, thankfully!) but cookies within the internet.

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These non-chocolate chip cookies are a small piece of data sent from the website you visit then stored onto your web browser. The cookies gather information about the user and provide websites and advertisers information to target consumers on their specific interests.

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Within these cookies are called first-party and third-party cookie data. First-party data is created by the website you are visiting to keep track of preferences such as login and password information. Third-party data is created by a website other than the one you are currently visiting, for example, by a third-party advertiser on the website and track your website habits. The reason many people frown upon third-party data is because it can be considered an invasion of privacy.

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While this news is still in the initial stages and there is no official launch date, we’ve broken down all there is to know so far about Google’s new dashboard feature and what it means to you.

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What This Means:

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This project is 6 years in the making but ramped up when Facebook had their massive data breach by Cambridge Analytica. Since then, Google has taken privacy concerns very seriously and Google will launch a feature in Chrome that gives users more control of their data by restricting cookies called Alphabet.

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This new Chrome addition will affect profit-seeking third-party companies that install their own cookies separate from Google.

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Why Should Businesses Care:

Though this doesn’t affect most businesses because they are typically using first-party data instead of third-party data, we encourage all companies to keep a close eye on Google’s updates as user privacy becomes more of a concern. In addition, educating your staff, especially those that are client facing, how this may impact them.

Your website visitors privacy is the first priority and should always be taken seriously. Make sure to review your website privacy policy, with your lawyer, to ensure you are following best practices.

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How This May Impact My Business Such as Tracking Concerns:

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This will only impact your advertising if you’re advertising via third-party sources is from third-party tools, but will likely not affect Google’s own tracking scripts.

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What Businesses Should Do About It:

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Keep a close eye on any updates but for now, this is not a concern as most small to midsize businesses utilize only Google’s tracking and not third-party cookies.

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We will continue to monitor this and any feature changes within Google and update as we go. Check out the full Wall Street Journal Report and let us know your thoughts in the comments!