Cookieless Browsing: The New Normal for Digital Marketers
The digital marketing landscape is poised for a major shift as the industry moves toward a cookieless future. Analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf emphasized in a recent episode of the ‘Behind the Numbers‘ podcast the importance for advertisers and publishers to adopt strategies that operate without relying on cookies.
The Transition to a Cookieless Future
Although Google has decided to maintain third-party cookies in Chrome for the time being, the preparations made since the initial 2020 announcement remain crucial. Marketers are advised to continue exploring targeting and measurement alternatives that operate independently of cookies.
Consumer Choice in Cookie Acceptance
According to a May 2024 EMARKETER survey, only 17% of US consumers consistently accept cookies when prompted by websites. If this trend holds among Chrome users, more than 80% of US browsers could eventually operate without cookies.
However, the experience may differ from Apple’s AppTrackingTransparency (ATT), which saw US opt-in rates nearly double from 13.7% in Q2 2021 to 26.1% in Q2 2024, according to Adjust. The disparity arises from the fact that individual apps managed the ATT prompt rollout, affecting opt-in rates over time. Google might observe different results depending on user experience and ad relevance.
Should Chrome users not experience a decrease in functionality or relevance in ads, they may not feel compelled to change their preferences. Mitchell-Wolf acknowledged that while opt-in rates may increase over time, the outcome remains uncertain.
Exploring and Adopting Cookie Alternatives
Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative continues to progress, though its adoption may be delayed due to an unclear timeline and uncertainty surrounding Google’s plans for refinement. Mitchell-Wolf advised brands to remain engaged with the Privacy Sandbox, noting that it’s too early to dismiss it entirely.
Leveraging Insights from Cookieless Browsers
Browsers like Safari, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Chrome dominate over 90% of the US market, according to Statcounter. Mitchell-Wolf pointed out that since Safari and Firefox already operate without cookies, marketers who are not testing cookieless strategies are missing out on a significant portion of US browsing activity. This percentage is expected to grow as Microsoft Edge plans to phase out cookies by the end of 2024.
Monitoring Data Privacy Legislation
Mitchell-Wolf emphasized that the shift toward privacy-preserving technology and data sources is challenging, especially with evolving deadlines and regulations. The era of digital advertising is increasingly centered around privacy, with US privacy legislation showing no signs of slowing down or reversing.
To remain competitive and compliant, marketers must stay informed about changing privacy laws and invest in developing privacy-compliant data strategies.
By doing so, they can avoid legal complications and build trust with consumers who choose to opt in, ensuring a smoother transition into a cookieless future.
