Complete Guide to Managing Cookies in Google Chrome

Cookies are small files that websites create to remember information about your visit. They enhance your online experience by keeping you signed in, remembering your preferences, and providing locally relevant content. However, managing your cookies is essential for privacy and security. This guide explains how to delete, allow, and manage cookies in Google Chrome effectively.

Understanding Cookies: First-Party vs. Third-Party

There are two main types of cookies:

• First-Party Cookies: These are created by the website you directly visit. The domain of the website is visible in your browser's address bar.
• Third-Party Cookies: These cookies are created by domains other than the one you are visiting. Often, these are from embedded content like images, ads, or widgets from other sites.

Why Manage Cookies?

Managing cookies gives you greater control over your privacy. By understanding how to delete, allow, and block cookies, you can:

• Prevent websites from tracking your browsing activity.
• Reduce the amount of personalized advertising you see.
• Improve your online security.
• Troubleshoot website loading or functionality issues.

How to Delete Cookies in Chrome

Deleting cookies can remove saved preferences and sign you out of websites. Here's how to do it:

Delete All Cookies

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click the three dots (More) in the top right corner, then select Settings.
3. Go to Privacy and security and click on Third-party cookies.
4. Select See all site data and permissions, then Delete all data.
5. Confirm by clicking Delete.

Delete Specific Cookies

1. Open Chrome.
2. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies.
3. Select See all site data and permissions.
4. Search for the website's name in the top right corner.
5. Click the trash icon (Delete) next to the site.
6. Confirm with Delete.

Delete Cookies from a Period of Time

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click the three dots (More) > Delete browsing data.
3. Choose a time range from the dropdown menu (e.g., "Last hour," "Last day").
4. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data.
5. Uncheck all other items.
6. Click Delete data.

Changing Cookie Settings: Allowing or Blocking

You can customize how Chrome handles cookies to suit your privacy preferences.

Allow or Block Third-Party Cookies By Default

1. Open Chrome.
2. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies.
3. Select one of the following options:
   • Allow third-party cookies: Allows all third-party cookies.
   • Block third-party cookies in Incognito mode: Blocks third-party cookies only when using Incognito mode.
   • Block third-party cookies: Blocks all third-party cookies by default.

Allow Third-Party Cookies for a Specific Site

If you generally block third-party cookies, you can create exceptions for sites you trust:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies.
3. Under "Sites allowed to use third-party cookies," click Add.
4. Enter the web address. Use [*.] before the domain name to create an exception for an entire domain (e.g., [*.]example.com).
5. Click Add.

To remove an exception, click the Remove icon next to the website.

Allow Third-Party Cookies Temporarily for a Specific Site

1. Open Chrome.
2. In the address bar, click on the icon indicating third-party cookies are blocked or limited.
3. Toggle Third-party cookies on to allow them temporarily or off to block them.
4. Click Close to reload the page with the new settings.

Understanding Related Site Sets

Companies can define groups of related sites to keep you signed in and personalize content across them.

• If you allow or limit third-party cookies, related sites can access your activity within the group.
• If you block third-party cookies, this connection is often prevented, which can impact your experience on those sites.

To manage this:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies.
3. Enable or disable Allow related sites to see your activity in the group.

You can find a list of companies that define groups of related sites on Github. For more information, refer to this guide.

Managing Embedded Content

Websites often embed content from other sites, such as images, ads, and widgets. These embedded elements might request permission to use your data, which is often saved via cookies. To allow or deny embedded content:

1. When prompted on a website, select Allow or Don’t allow.
2. To manage this permission later, click View site information (the padlock icon) in the address bar.
3. Toggle Embedded content on or off.

Managing Third-Party Cookies for Test Group Users

Google may test new privacy features in Chrome, significantly limiting third-party cookies. If you are part of a test group:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies.
2. Choose additional privacy protections:
   • Block all third-party cookies: Blocks all third-party cookies, potentially affecting site functionality.
   • Send "Do Not Track" request: Requests that sites not track you (compliance depends on the site).
   • Choose which sites you allow to use third-party cookies: Customize permissions for individual sites.

Additional Resources

• Change site settings permissions: Manage Permissions
• Delete browsing data in Chrome: Clear Browsing Data
• Clear cache & cookies: Clear Cache and Cookies
• Manage your ad privacy in Chrome: Ad Privacy Settings
• Learn about on-device site data in Chrome: On-Device Site Data

By understanding and managing your cookie settings, you can achieve a more private, secure, and personalized browsing experience in Chrome.