Facebook frequently prompts users to accept cookies when visiting the site or app. This can be annoying for users who don’t understand why they keep getting asked to accept cookies they’ve already accepted before. Here’s a look at why Facebook keeps asking you to accept cookies and what you can do about it.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites store on your computer or mobile device when you visit them. They allow websites to remember information about you and your preferences. There are a few different types of cookies:
- Session cookies – These only last while your browser is open and are deleted when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies – These cookies remain on your device for much longer (weeks, months, or years) and aren’t deleted when you close your browser.
- First-party cookies – These are set by the website you are visiting.
- Third-party cookies – These are set by companies other than the website you are visiting, often for advertising or analytics purposes.
When you visit a website for the first time, you will be prompted to accept its cookies. If you accept, the website will store cookies on your device and will be able to remember information about you when you revisit.
Why does Facebook ask you to accept cookies?
There are a few reasons why Facebook frequently prompts users to accept cookies:
- New cookies: Every time Facebook adds a new feature, third-party integration, or updates its services, new cookies may be introduced. You will need to consent to these new cookies when visiting the site.
- Cookie expiration: Facebook uses persistent cookies that can last for months or years. However, eventually these cookies will expire. When this happens, Facebook will prompt you to re-accept the cookies.
- Clearing cookies: If you manually clear cookies from your browser, Facebook will no longer have your cookie consent on file. The next time you visit, it will prompt you to accept cookies again.
- New devices: If you access Facebook from a new device, you will be asked for cookie consent again since Facebook won’t have a record of your consent on that device.
- Location: Facebook may ask for cookie consent if you access the site from a new location to ensure security.
- New browser profile: Similarly, if you access Facebook using a different browser profile you haven’t used before, you’ll need to re-accept cookies.
- EU laws: Facebook is required by EU privacy laws to re-obtain cookie consent periodically. So European users may be prompted more frequently.
What types of cookies does Facebook use?
Facebook uses a variety of different cookies for different purposes:
| Cookie Name | Purpose |
|---|---|
| fr | Used for Facebook advertising services |
| sb | Security and site integrity cookie |
| datr | Used to identify browsers for security purposes |
| dpr | Used for Facebook advertising services |
| xs | Used for Facebook authentication |
| wd | Used for Facebook analytics |
| act | Used to determine optimal ad placement |
| presence | Used for chat and online status |
| spin | Used for load balancing |
As you can see, Facebook uses cookies for a variety of purposes including security, analytics, advertising, site functionality, and performance. Whenever Facebook introduces a new feature, there is a good chance new cookies will be added that require your consent.
How to reduce Facebook cookie prompts
If you’re tired of constantly being prompted to accept cookies on Facebook, here are a few things you can do:
- Don’t clear your cookies too frequently. This will force Facebook to ask for consent again next visit.
- Avoid using Facebook in private/incognito browser windows. Facebook won’t recognize you in a private window so will ask you to accept cookies again.
- Make sure you are logged into Facebook. When logged in, Facebook can associate your cookie consent with your account.
- Opt-out of targeted advertising. This will limit some third-party advertising/analytics cookies.
- Update your Facebook cookie settings and enable ‘Data from partners’ option. This pre-approves Facebook to store certain third-party cookies without asking.
- Use just one browser for Facebook access. This way all your cookie consents remain stored in one browser.
- Accept the cookie prompt whenever it appears. With consent, Facebook will store the cookies for future visits.
While Facebook will likely continue prompting for cookies due to new features or expirations, these tips can help minimize the frequency.
Should you always accept Facebook cookies?
Generally accepting Facebook’s cookies is recommended if you want the best experience using the site. Here are some things that can happen if you reject Facebook cookies:
- You may have to log in more frequently as you won’t stay logged in
- Some site features may not work properly or at all
- You may see more generic/less relevant ads instead of tailored ads
- Pages may fail to load or load improperly
- You may appear offline in Messenger when you are active
- Uploaded images and videos may not save properly
- You won’t be able to use Facebook social plugins on other sites
Accepting cookies enables Facebook to provide relevant content, ads, features, and analytics. However, if you are concerned about privacy, limiting third-party cookies can help reduce some data collection. You can also block specific cookies you don’t want to accept.
Facebook cookie consent on mobile
The Facebook app also makes use of cookies and may prompt you to accept them when you install or update the app. The prompts will be similar on mobile to what you see on the desktop site.
To manage cookie consent in the Facebook app:
- Go to your device Settings > Facebook
- Tap on “Data Use” or “Data from Partners”
- Toggle permission on or off for allowing Facebook to store cookies
Enabling the “Data from Partners” option prevents Facebook from asking permission each time a new third-party cookie wants to be stored.
You can also limit ad tracking in your device settings to opt-out of targeted advertising cookies from Facebook. However, this may impact the relevancy of ads you see.
Is Facebook violating laws by requiring cookie consent?
No, Facebook is not violating any laws by frequently prompting users for cookie consent. They are actually attempting to comply with privacy laws like the EU’s GDPR and CCPA by re-obtaining consent.
The GDPR requires companies re-obtain consent every 12 months. Facebook likely asks more frequently than that to cover all bases as cookies expire. By prompting frequently for consent, they are attempting to follow regulations.
Of course, some users argue the cookie prompts are excessive and annoying. But in most cases, Facebook is working to meet privacy compliance requirements for cookies and user data.
The one exception is strictly necessary cookies required for site functionality. Facebook could reduce prompts by classifying more of their cookies as strictly necessary. But it is smarter legally to ask frequently for full consent.
How to block cookies from Facebook
If you don’t want Facebook using any cookies on your device, there are ways to block them:
- Install a browser extension like Ghostery or uBlock Origin to block Facebook cookies
- Use your browser settings to block cookies from facebook.com
- Block third-party cookies specifically in your browser settings
- Use private browsing mode which disables cookies
- Opt out of personalized ads which limits some third-party cookies
However, blocking Facebook cookies can negatively impact your user experience on the site. Many cookies are required for proper functionality and performance.
You can also try limiting cookie duration in your browser settings, so cookies delete automatically after a short period. But this will require re-accepting cookies on every visit.
For the best Facebook experience, allowing its first-party cookies is recommended. Be selective in rejecting unnecessary third-party cookies only.
Conclusion
To summarize, Facebook prompts frequently for cookie consent due to expirations, new cookies from added features, privacy regulations, and users clearing cookies. While annoying, accepting cookies results in the optimal site performance.
Try to minimize clearing cookies, use one browser, don’t reject cookies, and enable “Data from Partners” on mobile to reduce pesky prompts. Blocking cookies is possible but can also break site functionality.
In the end, Facebook’s persistent cookie prompts are designed to comply with privacy laws and provide transparency. By re-obtaining consent, they grant users greater control over privacy even if it can be disruptive.