A cookie is a text file sent from a web server to a browser that can store user information and improve online tasks, such as remembering login credentials and facilitating e-commerce functions. There are various types of cookies, including session, persistent, first-party, and third-party cookies, each serving different purposes in user experience and online marketing. Despite regulations for transparency, cookies can still be misused, leading to concerns over targeted advertising and user privacy.

1. What is a cookie?
Definition
Explanation

2. Define: cookie
A cookie is a text file (is comprised of text and numbers only)
sent from a web server to an internet browser
Cookies can store information on a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) but cannot read a HDD,
For this reason they are not:
Programs,
or, pieces of software
Cookies can identify a particular user
Cookies are popular with marketing companies – they can tailor adverts
Depending upon the type of cookie, they can stay on your computer for some time

3. Types of cookies
Session
Persistent
First Party
Third Party

4. Session Cookie
Stays on your computer for the duration of your visit
Removed after you close the web browser
Persistent cookie
Repeat visits, it does not remove itself from your HDD
Can remain on your computer for several years
Some web servers will specify how long (30 days, one month, two years)

5. First party cookie
Cookie is sent from the site you are visiting – no one else is involved
i.e. the relationship with you (the user) and the site (the server)
There is not a lot going on behind your back !
Third party cookie
Sent from another website
Don’t forget that HTML allows a user to link elements from external sources
i.e. One webpage can be comprised of several websites !

6. How are cookies used?
purpose
ICO

7. Purpose of cookies
Cookies were initially used by web developers to make tasks online easier
e.g. A user of an ecommerce website can have several items in their basket. With the use
of a cookie, the user does not have to process each item individually.
Cookies therefore improve the search experience
Cookies can also remember who you are, this can be useful whenever you want a site to
remember your credentials, like log-in details, for example.

8. Information Commissioner Office (ICO)
ICO passed a law (in the UK) to force web developers to become more transparent
This meant that websites had to display cookie policies
cookie policy,
what are cookies?
how are cookies used for X site?
Transparency has not lead to only proper use -- cookies are still misused
Transparency has only lead to user awareness of how / why cookies are used
People are now aware that cookies are used for online advertising
what has a user clicked?
what is a user interested in?
if you search for cars, you could be targeted by car adverts -- quickly

9. Cookies and search
Gray area
Policy

10. Cookies are specific...
Necessary cookies are used to identify you, and you only
e.g. “remember me” is necessary to keep your username / password
Necessary cookies can also be used in relation to a session (identity session)
If you watched X, you might like Y -- video providers use this!

11. Cookies are specific...
Functionality cookies are important to bring specific requirements to a user
e.g. accessibility options are stored (text size, text colour)
Functionality cookies allow a user to become specific
e.g. local weather / location
Performance cookies
Used to compile reports – Google Analytics etc
i.e. Monitoring of site traffic

12. Cookie awareness
What can I do?
What should I do?
Any advice?

13. Any advice? What should I do?
What does the policy say?
become aware of cookie policies

14. Cookies and search

15. What if...?
...adverts can target specific adverts, can search target you with specific searches?
...search experience is not improved, it is just repeated?
...cookies restricted your search results?
...cookies were the catalyst to personalised results?
Is this a good thing? Is this a bad thing? Or, does it not matter?

16. Think about the relationship
cookies and search have
Good?
Bad?
Not sure?