Yet, responding to customer concerns about data privacy is a Catch-22 situation as although 89% of consumers are worried about data security and privacy, at the same time, 80% demand personalised services and experiences. 

Modern-day customers have developed sophisticated expectations when it comes to their online experience, and they quickly become frustrated when they don’t get what they expect.

This presents a challenge for many businesses because, in order to provide highly personalised offerings, they must have a deeper comprehension of their customers’ requirements, purchasing histories, and preferences — meaning, data.

This is where cookies — small bits of data saved on your computer while browsing that can contain information useful to both customers and service providers — come into play.

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Third-party cookies, especially those used for tracking, have come under serious scrutiny prompting the EU to come up with legislation forcing businesses to ask for consent from consumers before collecting and storing information through this tool as far back as 2011.

But ever since Google announced it will do away with third-party cookies — something that the industry giant has been postponing for a while, although it claims the move is still on the cards — there have been many questions as to how to bridge the gap that is bound to appear right away. 

Industry experts agree that in a post-cookie world, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to ethically and efficiently collect, analyse and tailor customer data to offer personalised ads and experiences. 

What’s happening to the website cookies?

Customer concerns about privacy and the use of data continued to skyrocket as news of data breaches and cyberattacks inundated the media. 

The first half of 2019 alone saw a staggering 3,800 major data compromises recorded globally, affecting over 4.1 billion records. 

Meanwhile, organisations have been hiring information security officers and data protection experts to safeguard their systems with vulnerability testing. 

Policymakers have also heeded the public’s concerns by implementing a range of privacy policies and putting pressure on ecosystem players to prioritise data privacy and security.

In a bid to create a safer, transparent, and trustworthy online environment amid all the concerns, leaders like Google and Apple in the advertising and mobile OEM space have introduced various solutions such as Intelligent Tracking Prevention, App Tracking Transparency, Hide My Email, Private Relay, and more. 

However, one of the most disruptive changes on the horizon is the eradication of third-party cookies by Google. 

While this move is a positive step towards privacy, businesses have been consigned to oblivion to new ways to find, track, and offer personalised experiences to customers.

How will it crumble?

In the midst of global economic downturns, businesses are bracing themselves for the impending changes to Google’s cookie policy. 

With the current recessionary ripples brought on by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and supply chain disruptions, businesses have been struggling to acquire customers and boost revenue. 

The digital marketing landscape has served as a beacon of hope in these uncertain times, but as we approach the cookie-less world of 2024, businesses may find themselves struggling yet again. 

The looming threat of the cookie apocalypse demands attention, and businesses must act now to adapt and thrive in the post-cookie era.

Is it just crumbs on the table, or are there other options?
Companies that are able to adapt and embrace new strategies for identifying, targeting, and retaining customers are likely to thrive in this new environment.
Beyond exploring the use of first-party data, businesses will need to focus more on building strong, authentic relationships with their customers to drive loyalty and word-of-mouth marketing. 
This will most likely have to be done by developing and executing elaborate and effective customer engagement cycles.

By targeting ads based on the content of the website or app that a user is currently on, businesses can still reach relevant audiences without relying on individual user data. 

This approach may be particularly effective in countries where social media platforms are less prevalent, and other forms of digital content consumption are more common.

Overall, while the post-cookie world may present challenges for businesses, it also offers opportunities for innovation and creativity.

Source: https://www.euronews.com/2023/06/23/third-party-cookies-are-set-to-crumble-in-europe-africa-could-offer-a-solution
Media : http://www.euronews.com
Writter: Ayodeji Balogun