Tracking cookie
Also called: third party cookie
A tracking cookie is a special type of web cookie, which is placed to identify an Internet user on one or more websites. On the basis of the pages that someone visits, general knowledge can be obtained about the way in which a website is used, as well as, for example, what that person is interested in. Building profiles with such information can then be used for behavioral targeting, showing banner advertising from related advertisers.
Because tracking cookies are usually placed from external domain names by other parties, they are also referred to as third-party cookies.
The use of tracking cookies has been subject to certain conditions since the introduction of new cookie legislation in 2012. For example, visitors must be informed about the data being collected and there must be the option to disable these cookies. Certain cookies may only be placed if the visitor has given permission. This includes marketing cookies such as tracking cookies.
