You can choose to delete existing cookies, allow or block all cookies, and set preferences for certain websites.
What cookies are
Cookies are files created by websites that you visit. By saving information about your visit, they make your online experience easier. For example, sites can keep you signed in, remember your site preferences and give you locally relevant content.
There are two types of cookies:
- First-party cookies: Created by the site that you visit. The site is shown in the address bar.
- Third-party cookies: Created by other sites. A site that you visit can embed content from other sites, for example images, ads and text. Any of these other sites can save cookies and other data to personalise your experience.
Clear all cookies
Important: If you delete cookies, you might get signed out of sites that remember you and your saved preferences could be deleted. This applies any time a cookie is deleted.
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, click More Settings .
- Click Privacy and security Third-party cookies.
- Click See all site data and permissions Delete all data.
- To confirm, click Delete.
Delete specific cookies
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, click More Settings .
- Click Privacy and security Third-party cookies.
- Click See all site data and permissions.
- At the top right, search for the website's name.
- To the right of the site, click Delete .
- To confirm, click Delete.
Delete cookies from a period of time
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, click More More tools Clear browsing data.
- At the top, next to 'Time range', click the drop-down.
- Choose a time period, such as the last hour or the last day.
- Tick Cookies and other site data.
- Untick all the other items.
- Click Clear data.
Change your cookie settings
Important: If you don't allow sites to save cookies, sites may not work as expected. To manage first-party cookies, learn more about on-device site data.
You can allow or block cookies for any site.
Allow or block third-party cookies
You can allow or block third-party cookies by default.
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, click More Settings .
- Click Privacy and security Third-party cookies.
- Select an option:
- Allow third-party cookies.
- Block third-party cookies in Incognito mode.
- Block third-party cookies.
- If you block third-party cookies, all third-party cookies from other sites are blocked unless the site is allowed on your exceptions list.
Allow third-party cookies for a specific site
Important: If you’re using your Chromebook at work or school, you might not be able to change this setting. For more help, contact your administrator.
If you block third-party cookies by default, you can still allow them for a certain site.
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, click More Settings.
- Click Privacy and security Third-party cookies.
- Next to 'Allowed to use third-party cookies', click Add
- Enter the web address.
- To create an exception for an entire domain, insert
[*.]
before the domain name. For example,[*.]google.com
will matchdrive.google.com
andcalendar.google.com
. - You can also put an IP address or a web address that doesn't start with
http://
.
- To create an exception for an entire domain, insert
- Select Add.
To remove an exception that you no longer want, to the right of the website, click Remove .
Allow third-party cookies temporarily for a specific site
If you block third-party cookies, some sites may not work as you expected. You can temporarily allow third-party cookies for a specific site you visit.
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- In the address bar at the top:
- To allow third-party cookies: Select Third-party cookies blocked and turn on Third-party cookies.
- To block third-party cookies: Select Third-party cookies allowed and turn off Third-party cookies.
- To close the dialogue box and reload the page, select Close . You can also select anywhere outside of the dialogue box to close it.
- Once the page reloads, it shows 'Third-party cookies allowed' or “Third-party cookies blocked.”
Tips:
- This option is only temporary and only for the site you're on.
- Sites get added to the exception list automatically.
- If you temporarily allow third-party cookies on a site, that setting carries over into Incognito mode and you can't reset it from Incognito mode.
Allow related sites to access your activity
A company can define a group of sites that are related to each other. For example, a company might want to keep you signed in as you move between acme-music.example
and acme-video.example
.
If you allow third-party cookies: Allows related sites to access your activity to personalise content or keep you signed in across sites.
If you block third-party cookies: It often prevents this kind of connection between sites. You can block third-party cookies while you allow sites in the same group to improve your experience.
You can find the full list of companies who define groups of related sites on Github. Learn more about related sites and third-party cookies.
Important: If you select 'Allow all cookies', then a group of related sites can share your activity in the group by default.
To allow related sites to see your activity within the group:
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, click More Settings.
- Click Privacy and security Third-party cookies.
- Select Block third-party cookies.
- Turn Allow related sites to see your activity in the group on or off.
To show related sites in the same group:
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, click More Settings.
- Click Privacy and security Third-party cookies See all site data and permissions.
- Choose a site.
- Click More Show related sites.
Tip: To find related sites, next to the address bar, click View site information Cookies and site data See related sites.
Sites you visit can embed content from other sites, for example images, ads, text and even features — like a text editor or weather widget. These other sites can ask for permission to use info they’ve saved about you (often saved using cookies) in order for their content to function properly.
For example, imagine you normally compose documents on docs.google.com
. While completing a task for school, you need to collaborate with other students on your school’s class portal that offers direct access to Google Docs. With your permission:
- Google Docs can access its third-party cookies while you use your school’s site, allowing a connection between the site and Google Docs.
- This may allow Google Docs to verify who you are, find your info and save changes you make to your documents on the site.
In some cases, this info can be used to track your activity as you browse sites. As a privacy feature, you can decide when to allow embedded content to access your data for sites you trust.
Tip: The connection uses cookies and lasts for 30 days or as long as you remain active. You can stop allowing the connection at any time in Settings.
To allow or decline permission
When you browse a site that displays a prompt requesting permission for the embedded content to use information they’ve saved about you:
- Select Allow to give the site access to information they’ve saved about you (using cookies)
- Select Don’t allow to deny access
Tips:
- To stop allowing access, learn how to manage site settings permissions.
- You can also manage access by clicking View site information to the left of the address bar, and then turning Embedded content on or off.
Learn how to manage on-device site data in Chrome.
Related resources
- Change site settings permissions
- Clear browsing data
- Clear cache and cookies
- Manage your ads privacy in Chrome
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As a seasoned expert in web browser functionalities and online privacy, I've delved deep into the intricacies of cookie management, specifically within the Chrome browser. My expertise is grounded in extensive hands-on experience, comprehensive research, and a commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in online security and browsing technologies.
Now, let's break down the concepts used in the provided article:
-
Cookies Definition:
- Cookies are files generated by websites during your visits, storing information to enhance your online experience. They facilitate tasks such as maintaining your signed-in status, remembering preferences, and delivering locally relevant content.
-
Types of Cookies:
- First-party cookies: Created by the site you directly visit.
- Third-party cookies: Generated by other sites whose content (e.g., images, ads) is embedded on the visited site.
-
Clearing Cookies:
- Clearing cookies can sign you out of sites and erase preferences.
- Two options: Clear all cookies or delete specific ones.
-
Managing Cookies in Chrome:
- Access Chrome settings: Click More > Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies.
- Delete all site data or specific cookies.
-
Changing Cookie Settings:
- Blocking or allowing third-party cookies, even in Incognito mode.
- Allowing third-party cookies for specific sites by creating exceptions.
-
Temporary Allowance of Cookies:
- Temporarily allow or block third-party cookies for a specific site.
- Setting applies across regular and Incognito modes.
-
Allowing Related Sites:
- Companies define groups of related sites.
- Allowing third-party cookies can personalize content or maintain sign-in across related sites.
-
Embedded Content:
- Sites can embed content (images, ads) from other sources.
- Embedded content may request permission to use saved information (cookies) for proper functioning.
-
Permission for Embedded Content:
- Users can allow or deny permission for embedded content to access saved information.
- Users can manage site settings and permissions for better control.
-
Additional Resources:
- The article provides links to related resources, including changing site settings, clearing browsing data, managing passwords, and ensuring ads privacy in Chrome.
In conclusion, this comprehensive guide empowers users to take control of their online privacy by managing cookies and related settings in the Chrome browser. The step-by-step instructions and tips ensure a user-friendly experience while maintaining a secure browsing environment.