Why you don’t need cookies 🍪 for Web Analytics.

What is the magic about cookies? Why do people, especially in the EU, care so much about web cookies? And how can I prevent using cookies for my website or app? We're going to tell you.

Why you hear so much about Cookies

Cookies are a small piece of data that websites store on a user’s computer to remember information about the user. You can imagine it like a text file on your computer, where a website can put a data inside and store it for a long time. They can read it anytime you visit the website. Internet cookies allow websites to remember information about users, such as login information, preferences, and shopping cart contents. This makes it easier for users to navigate websites and access their desired content quickly, but cookies are common used for tracking, such as for ads, targeting, or user behavior. 

Why cookies are criticized so much

• Privacy Concerns: Cookies can track users’ online behavior, such as websites visited, time spent on each site, and items clicked. This data can be used by advertisers and websites to create targeted ads and build user profiles. This tracking can raise privacy concerns, especially if users are unaware of how their data is being collected and used.
• Data Collection and Sharing: Some cookies are third-party cookies, placed on websites by external domains, often for advertising or tracking purposes. These cookies can potentially collect and share user data across different websites, contributing to a user’s online profile without their explicit consent.
• Security Risks: While cookies themselves are not harmful, they can be exploited by malicious actors to steal sensitive information if a website’s security is compromised. For instance, if a hacker gains access to a user’s authentication cookies, they might be able to impersonate that user on various websites.
• User Profiling and Manipulation: The data collected through cookies can be used to create detailed profiles of users’ interests and preferences. While this can result in more personalized experiences, it can also lead to content manipulation and “filter bubbles,” where users are only exposed to information that aligns with their existing views, limiting their exposure to diverse perspective.
• Persistent Tracking: Some cookies are designed to be persistent, meaning they remain on a user’s device even after they close their browser. This allows websites to remember users and their preferences during subsequent visits, but it can also contribute to long-term tracking and data accumulation.
• Lack of Transparency: Many websites don’t provide clear information about the types of cookies they use and how they’re used. This lack of transparency can leave users in the dark about what data is being collected and how it’s being utilized.
• Cross-Device Tracking: Cookies may be used to track users across different devices, creating a more comprehensive profile of their online behavior. While this can be useful for seamless experiences, it can also be unsettling for users concerned about their privacy.

How can I get Web Analytics without cookies for my website or app?

They are many ways to get Analytics insights without tracking down the user. We at Sitesights rely on an algorithm developed in-house to identify the user based on the information automatically provided by the browser. However, we hash all this information to ensure the anonymity of the user. We are not interested in the user as a person, but in their interaction within the website or app. This means that we do not use cookies at all, but can still collect other important information for companies and entrepreneurs.

All in all, it can be said that cookies can be very practical for technical functions, but are definitely not necessary for web analysis. Doing without them makes users happy, increases the accuracy of the data, and you don't have to open an annoying cookie consent window.