HTTP cookie basics

Guides, demos and tools to help you understand how cookies work:

  • What are cookies?
    Understand HTTP cookies: how they're set by a server, and sent by a browser.
  • What are third-party cookies?
    A third-party cookie is from a site that's different from the site you're visiting. What does that mean in practice?
  • Cookie attributes
    Cookies can include attributes to control if they're set, and when they expire.
  • HTTP request and response
    The web uses the HTTP protocol to transfer resources, and set cookies. How does that work?
  • Cookie blocking
    Cookies can be blocked by browser design, Enterprise policy or user choice. This guide explains how.
  • Cookie tools
    Chrome tools to help you understand cookie usage on your site.
  • Cookie demos
    Demos of first-party cookies, third-party cookies, and cross-site tracking.