Does the _hjFirstSeen cookie need consent?

In the EU and the UK, yes. _hjFirstSeen 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 _hjFirstSeen cookie last?

_hjFirstSeen usually lasts until the browser closes. The exact lifetime depends on the site's settings and the version of the script that sets it.

Who sets the _hjFirstSeen cookie?

_hjFirstSeen is set by Hotjar. It is in the Analytics category.

How do I block or delete the _hjFirstSeen cookie?

Visitors can delete _hjFirstSeen 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

_hjFirstSeen cookie

Set by Hotjar.

What it does

Used to identify a new user first session.

Cookie name: _hjFirstSeen
Category: Analytics
Provider: Hotjar
Duration: session
Data source: Kukie.io

Consent

Needed in the EU and the UK

_hjFirstSeen 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 _hjFirstSeen. 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 _hjFirstSeen. The ICO treats analytics cookies as non-essential.
CCPA and CPRA (California): Disclose _hjFirstSeen in your privacy policy and honour opt-out requests, including the Global Privacy Control signal, if the analytics data is shared or sold.

Managing _hjFirstSeen with a consent banner

A consent banner can keep the script that sets _hjFirstSeen waiting until the visitor accepts analytics cookies. Kukie.io's cookie scanner finds _hjFirstSeen 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

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