What is a Cookie Policy and Does Your Website Need One?
- Vikas Thakur
- Cookie Policy , GDPR
- 28 Feb, 2026
If your website uses cookies — and almost every modern website does — you likely need a Cookie Policy. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is a Cookie Policy?
A Cookie Policy (sometimes called a Cookies Policy or Cookie Notice) is a legal document that explains to visitors what cookies your website uses, what they do, and how users can control or delete them.
Why Do You Need One?
Several privacy laws around the world require websites to disclose cookie usage:
GDPR (EU) — Requires you to obtain informed consent before setting non-essential cookies and to provide clear information about what cookies you use and why.
ePrivacy Directive (EU) — The “Cookie Law” that predates GDPR. Requires prior consent for cookies that are not strictly necessary for the service.
CCPA (California) — Treats certain cookie data as personal information and requires disclosure in a Privacy Policy or separate Cookie Policy.
UK PECR — The UK’s version of ePrivacy, requires similar cookie consent mechanisms.
What Should a Cookie Policy Include?
1. What Are Cookies?
A brief explanation of what cookies are — small text files stored on a user’s device by the browser.
2. Types of Cookies You Use
Categorise your cookies:
- Strictly necessary — cookies required for the site to function (usually exempt from consent)
- Performance / analytics — cookies that measure website usage (e.g. Google Analytics)
- Functional — cookies that remember user preferences
- Targeting / advertising — cookies used for marketing and remarketing
3. List of Specific Cookies
The most comprehensive Cookie Policies list each cookie by name, along with:
- Cookie name
- Provider / first or third party
- Purpose
- Expiry date
4. How to Control Cookies
Explain how users can accept, reject, or delete cookies — both through your cookie consent banner and through their browser settings.
5. Updates to the Policy
State that the policy may change and how users will be notified.
Cookie Policy vs. Cookie Consent Banner
These are two different things:
- Cookie Policy — the full legal document explaining your cookie usage (what this article is about)
- Cookie Consent Banner — the popup or banner users see when they first visit your site, allowing them to accept or reject cookies
You need both under GDPR — a proper consent mechanism and a Cookie Policy that users can read for full details.
Generate Your Cookie Policy
Our Cookie Policy Generator creates a complete, customised Cookie Policy for your website in minutes. Just tell us which cookies you use and we’ll draft the full document for you.
