Is a Cookie Bar Essential on a Website?
Hi Folks,
I hope all is well with you and that you are continuing to enjoy your online experience.
It's a while, more than a month since I've published a post in WA and thought it was time I did so.
The truth is that this post should be published as a 'Question' but that would not allow me to copy and paste the statement I'm concerned about!
So, this is the challenge I need to sort for the benefit of my website
I logged into the Dashboard of one of my websites today searching for a replacement link checker plugin, The compatibility of the plugin I've used for years is now untested!
I am not concerned about locating a valid plugin, but what I am questioning is:
- Should I activate the Cookie bar on my website?
During all my years of using WordPress, never prior to today have I noticed this message I'm pasting below:
"Hey Administrator, The Cookie bar has been disabled. Activate the bar here"
I have looked at what is said on Google Search regarding the Cookie bar, but I have not been convinced either way about activating that bar!
Would activation of a Cookie Bar cause disruption to my website?
OR
Would a functioning Cookie Bar be an advantage in any way at all?
I look forward to your advice.
Thank you.
Recent Comments
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Valerie, this was an excellent and timely question to post in our WA community.
I have been doing progressive updates on my websites and reviewing Cookie laws to ensure that there were no breaches.
In doing my research, I came across the website that Prince Partha shared.
@richardgb also provided additional clarity.
Your blog post has been tagged for ongoing reference.
Thank you!
Cassi
Cassi, my sincere apologies for taking so long to respond to your comment.
I did not choose the right time for that post as it was approaching NZ Mothers Day weekend, Time flew by and I couldn't back to respond to the many messages.
It is amazing how much interest the post caused. After publishing the post, I felt rather embarrassed that I needed to ask for that particular help as I will have been in WA for eight years in July.
Partha certainly is very generous and helpful, as is Richard.
As WA members, we are very fortunate to receive the help available from dedicated members, of whom you are one Cassi!
Thank you.
Valerie
Hi Valerie,
I trust that you enjoyed your NZ Mother's Day. :-)
As it was also Mother's Day in Trinidad and the US, I was able to share some virtual time with friends and family in both places.
There is absolutely no reason to be embarrassed - at all!
Although I joined WA in 2019, I am only now building out the Affiliate Marketing segment of my business.
I also did the OEC lessons about 5 times!
There are many, MANY things that I am now understanding, practising and figuring out.
So, ask away!!!!
Your question also helped me with a website that I am redesigning for a client of mine.
It was timely in many ways.
Thank you so very much.
Do enjoy a fruitful week.
Cassi
Hi Cassi,
Thank you so much for your kind message. (Another delayed response from me!)
Your words are very supportive which helps me considerably.
I have a perpetual tendency to overthink matters, so it was pleasing to learn that my question was of help with your client's website.
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful week.
It has been a pleasure to be in touch.
Valerie
Your question helped me and my client, Valerie.
Overthinking is necessary sometimes and I am thankful that I was able to benefit from what you asked.
Many thanks again.
Cassi
Hi Valerie
It's not just a cookie policy that is needed... most people have that included in their Privacy Policy document...
The legal requirement is that visitors to a site must be given the option to explicitly accept or reject cookies,
I'm not certain what you mean by a "Cookie Bar" but we must have a "Cookie Consent Form" for visitors to use, that must show up when a visitor first arrives at least.
if you are certain you don't and won't have visitors from the UK or Europe then you might get away without it but many other countries (apparently) are considering doing the same.
:-)
R
Hi Richard,
Thanks very much for your response to my post.
My websites do include a "Cookie Consent Form" which appears at the foot of the site where visitors have the option to Accept or Opt-Out.
My problem and reason for publishing the post were that I couldn't understand the "Hey Administrator" notice advising that the bar had been disabled. It is within that notice the word 'bar' is used.
The bar they refer to is not disabled. It is alive and working well.
Next time I get an alert such as that, I'll sleep on it before going live!
I appreciate your help, Richard.
Valerie
I apologise for the delay in responding to your comment Richard. I got involved with weekend matters and was not able to get back to these comments. I was amazed at the interest in the subject!
No, I have not asked the messenger the question. However, if it/he continues to insist on his argument, I will do so!
Thanks, Richard.
Good question Val, I don’t know how necessary it is. I would think it’s not, but waiting for wiser heads than mine.
Stephen
Thanks, Stephen. Yes, hopefully, there is a simple answer. Anything complicated is too much at the end of the working week. Lol!!
Val
Good to receive your response, Alex.
Viewing that message on my website dashboard today made me wonder what I've been doing all these years!
It is the first time I've been aware of it. I checked another website I own and the same message appears there.
Of course, this could be some new feature but I did not see that in my search on Google.
Many thanks.
Valerie
Ok,
After reading the replies, I think I understand the Cookie bar could be the message that the consent cookie displays at the bottom of our sites. However I do not know why your admin is giving you this message.
But, I have been able to refresh my knowledge of cookies and acceptance thanks to you post. I confess that was why I replied (so I could see what the responses were).
Thank you,
Alex
Thanks for your response, Alex. My apologies for the delay in responding. I got caught up in weekend matters!
I am very pleased this post has been helpful. I had no idea it would draw such interest!
Best wishes.
Valerie
Hey Valerie,
The cookie policy is actually an EU directive that came out in 2011.
So, websites that target visitors in the EU (including the UK) are legally required to have a visible cookie policy.
There is no such Federal requirement in the US.
BUT
Certain areas in the Americas do require this.
Off the top of my head I believe California and Brazil.
If you a website that only targets s specific population of the US then you don't need a "cookie bar", but an explanation of cookies is required in your Privacy Policy.
That said, can you 100% guarantee that none of your website visitors come from countries where it's a legal requirement to have cookie policy/GDPR?
Most websites have a worldwide audience and therefore it is a legal requirement to have this.
Partha
Hi Partha,
Again you are a tremendous help! Thank you - Tripple Thank You!!!
I can't believe that I didn't recognize the first-time advice appearing when I logged into my site's dashboard today!
The cookie bar is installed and opens at the foot of my website each time the site receives a visitor. This has been active since 2018.
I definitely do not know what that 'Hey to Administrator' notice is about other than an attempt to sell me a Premium plugin. So, I'm going to ignore it.
My websites target the US but receive global visitors.
It appears I need to take myself through a refresher course on the laws and intricacies of what makes a website tick!!
Thanks again, Partha!
Greatly appreciated!
Valerie
Hey Valerie,
No worries.
The thing about "free" plugins is that they have to make a profit somehow.
X amount of downloads may yield some income, but the hope is by offering something "free" users will eventually upgrade.
Anyway, believe it or not, there is an entire website created solely around "Cookie Law".
https://www.cookielaw.org/the-cookie-law/
Partha
Hi Partha,
Thanks for your prompt reply.
I agree about the creators of plugins and services needing a profit. But, saying it as it is, rather than trickery sits better with me!
So, it's onwards and upwards from now on revising and learning more about "Cookie Law" and how to not panic at the sight of notices to the Administrator!!
Many thanks, Partha, for the website link. I will update my understanding of the Cookie Law!
Valerie
I have a fully activated GDPR plugin. Do I still need to activate a cookie bar?
No that's fine Fran.
If you've installed the "GDPR Cookie Consent" plugin then that will show the "cookie bar" when a new visitor comes to your site.
Don't forget that after your first visit to your site following installation your cookies will have been saved, so you won't see the cookie bar yourself each time.
However, let's say you used a private browser then you'd be viewed as a "new visitor" so you'll see the cookie bar again when you visit your site.
Partha
Thanks, Partha. Answer appreciated.