After the Cookie Regulations: Does Your Website Comply?
On the 26th May 2012, new regulations regarding the use of cookies came into effect for website owners in the UK.
More and more practical examples of implementation are popping up all over the web now that the final deadline for compliance has passed. Some website owners have gone for the prominent approach, while others are favouring a more relaxed approach to gaining their visitors' consent to use cookies. Here we take a look at how some of the big consumer brands are doing it …
Implied consent
As the methods for ensuring visitors are aware of cookies can be fairly diverse, some websites have simply made their cookie policy more prominent. This is instead of explicitly asking users to accept cookies and means that less people will ‘opt out'. Price comparison website Go Compare simply has a small link to their policy in the right-hand corner of their website, while Compare the Market has included its policy in the home page text.
More prominent messaging
Taking a step further, some website owners have chosen to add their cookie policy as an additional message box or bar which gives the user the choice of simply ignoring the message (and implying consent) or opting out. John Lewis, Northern Rock and Nationwide all use this method of compliance with additional links to their individual cookie policies.
Pop-ups
The BBC website has chosen to use modal dialogue boxes on any web page where a user has not explicitly opted in to their use of cookies. This is a more overt and sometimes intrusive way of gaining consent, as users are denied access to content until they engage with the dialogue box. Popular websites are more likely to be able to use this method, as with smaller websites, users will be more likely to click away instead.
Humorous approaches
As a way to get their visitors' attention, some website owners have chosen to make their cookie messages into jokes (such as The Daily Mash). These approaches mean that users are more likely to engage with the message and opt-in to the cookie usage.
While many sites have chosen not to disrupt their website layout with irritating messages, it is a good idea to ensure that your chosen method of compliance is in order with the new cookie regulations. A subtle approach is generally better than intrusive dialogue boxes, particularly for small businesses, and there are many methods that your web designer can discuss with you before implementation.
More and more practical examples of implementation are popping up all over the web now that the final deadline for compliance has passed. Some website owners have gone for the prominent approach, while others are favouring a more relaxed approach to gaining their visitors' consent to use cookies. Here we take a look at how some of the big consumer brands are doing it …
Implied consent
As the methods for ensuring visitors are aware of cookies can be fairly diverse, some websites have simply made their cookie policy more prominent. This is instead of explicitly asking users to accept cookies and means that less people will ‘opt out'. Price comparison website Go Compare simply has a small link to their policy in the right-hand corner of their website, while Compare the Market has included its policy in the home page text.
More prominent messaging
Taking a step further, some website owners have chosen to add their cookie policy as an additional message box or bar which gives the user the choice of simply ignoring the message (and implying consent) or opting out. John Lewis, Northern Rock and Nationwide all use this method of compliance with additional links to their individual cookie policies.
Pop-ups
The BBC website has chosen to use modal dialogue boxes on any web page where a user has not explicitly opted in to their use of cookies. This is a more overt and sometimes intrusive way of gaining consent, as users are denied access to content until they engage with the dialogue box. Popular websites are more likely to be able to use this method, as with smaller websites, users will be more likely to click away instead.
Humorous approaches
As a way to get their visitors' attention, some website owners have chosen to make their cookie messages into jokes (such as The Daily Mash). These approaches mean that users are more likely to engage with the message and opt-in to the cookie usage.
While many sites have chosen not to disrupt their website layout with irritating messages, it is a good idea to ensure that your chosen method of compliance is in order with the new cookie regulations. A subtle approach is generally better than intrusive dialogue boxes, particularly for small businesses, and there are many methods that your web designer can discuss with you before implementation.