Does the _ga_ cookie need consent?

In the EU and the UK, yes. _ga_ is an analytics cookie, so it may be set only after the visitor agrees. Under the CCPA, California residents can opt out if the data is sold or shared.

How long does the _ga_ cookie last?

_ga_ usually lasts 2 years. The exact lifetime depends on the site's settings and the version of the script that sets it.

Who sets the _ga_ cookie?

_ga_ is set by Google Analytics, from Google LLC. It is in the Analytics category.

How do I block or delete the _ga_ cookie?

Visitors can delete _ga_ in their browser's cookie settings. On your own website, a consent banner can keep the script that sets it waiting until the visitor accepts analytics cookies. Kukie.io's banner does this for known trackers by default, and for any other script you tag with its category.

Analytics

_ga_ cookie

Set by Google Analytics.

_ga_*

What it does

ID used to identify users

Cookie name: _ga_
Category: Analytics
Provider: Google Analytics
Vendor: Google LLC
Duration: 2 years
Name pattern: ^_ga_
Data source: Open Cookie Database (opens in a new tab)

Consent

Needed in the EU and the UK

_ga_ is in the Analytics category. In the EU and the UK, analytics cookies need the visitor's consent before they are set. California's CCPA works differently: it lets residents opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal information.

GDPR and ePrivacy (EU): Prior consent is needed before setting _ga_. Analytics cookies are not covered by the strictly necessary exemption; only a few regulators (for example France's CNIL) allow a narrow exemption for first-party audience measurement under strict conditions.
UK GDPR and PECR: Consent is needed before setting _ga_. The ICO treats analytics cookies as non-essential.
CCPA and CPRA (California): Disclose _ga_ in your privacy policy and honour opt-out requests, including the Global Privacy Control signal, if the analytics data is shared or sold.

Managing _ga_ with a consent banner

A consent banner can keep the script that sets _ga_ waiting until the visitor accepts analytics cookies. Kukie.io's cookie scanner finds _ga_ and sorts it into a category. The banner holds back known trackers by default, and any other script you tag with its category waits too.

Learn more about script blocking

Related cookies