What Are Persistent Cookies?
Some cookies only remain for one visit, but others stay with you over time.
Advertiser Disclosure
All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
Close
Editorial Policy
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
- All About Cookies makes money when you click the links on our site to some of the products and offers that we mention. These partnerships do not influence our opinions or recommendations. Read more about how we make money.
- Partners are not able to review or request changes to our content except for compliance reasons.
- We aim to make sure everything on our site is up-to-date and accurate as of the publishing date, but we cannot guarantee we haven't missed something. It's your responsibility to double-check all information before making any decision. If you spot something that looks wrong, please let us know.
Close
Persistent cookies are small files that contain user data that can be accessed across different browsing trips. Most websites use cookies to improve user experience. This article lays out all the details you need to know about managing persistent cookies.
/images/2023/03/01/logo-total-adblock.png){kind=logo}
Total Adblock
-
Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including Facebook and YouTube ads
-
Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
-
Improves page load times and enables faster browsing
Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including Facebook and YouTube ads
In this article
What are persistent cookies?How do persistent cookies work?
Are persistent cookies ever good?
How do I manage cookies?
What are persistent cookies?
Unlike session cookies, persistent cookies remain on your device, even after you've closed out the browser. These files help websites remember your information and settings when you visit in the future. These stored cookies result in faster and more convenient access since, for example, you don't have to login again.
Persistent cookies can also include language selections or your customized settings.
How do persistent cookies work?
Persistent cookies are small files that wait and record your preferences as you move about a webpage. On your first visit, the website is presented in default mode. During your visit, you select your preferences and these preferences are remembered, through the use of the persistent cookie, the next time you visit the site.
For example, a website may offer its contents in different languages. On your first visit, you may choose to have the content delivered in French and the site may record that preference in a persistent cookie set on your browser. When you revisit that site it will use the cookie to ensure that the content is delivered in French.
Are persistent cookies ever good?
Persistent cookies do serve a purpose, and are partially responsible for streamlining your online experience. Persistent cookies are the reason your login information autofills on selected sites. Besides authentication, other websites' features made possible by persistent cookies include: language selection, theme selection, menu preferences, and internal site bookmarks or favorites.
Persistent cookies also allow you to personalize your ad preference online.
How do I manage cookies?
While cookies help streamline your internet, for optimum efficiency, it's necessary to manage your cookie use. When you store up too many cookies (or data), your device will inevitably slow down or misbehave. Read our step-by-step guide on how to enable and disable cookies.
Alternatively, you can block cookies by using an ad blocker with tracker blocking capabilities. Here are our top recommendations:
| Ad blocker |  |
 |
 |
| Best for | Best for blocking YouTube ads | Best for streaming | Best overall |
| Price | Paid plan costs $1.59/mo (billed annually) | Paid plans start at $1.99/mo (billed every two years) | Starts at $3.59/mo (billed every two years) |
| Blocks YouTube ads | |||
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking | Get NordVPN Threat Protection |
/images/2022/05/26/logo-nordvpn.png){kind=logo}
NordVPN
-
#1 rated VPN with over 6,800 ultra-secure, high-speed servers in 111 countries
-
Reliably unblock popular streaming services like Netflix with a single click
-
Excellent all-in-one security product with antivirus, ad blocker, password manager, and more
Related Articles
/images/2023/07/07/best-identity-theft-protection-service.png)
The Best Identity Theft Protection 2024
We put a handful of identity theft protection services to the test and Aura, LifeLock, and Identity Guard topped the list with the best features and value.
/images/2023/10/11/best-data-removal-service.png)
I Tested 10+ Best Data Removal Tools — Here Are My Favorites (December 2024)
I put my own data into over 10 data removal services to see if they could reduce my digital footprint. DeleteMe came out on top — here's why.
/images/2023/10/16/cookies-keyboard.jpg)
Cookies Study: 40% of Americans Blindly Accept Internet Cookies, But Most Don't Know What They Do
/images/2022/12/21/how-to-turn-off-facebook-tracking.jpeg){kind=tracking}
How To Stop Facebook From Tracking You [2024 Guide]
/images/2022/04/29/ipad-with-cookie-popup-200x1200.jpg)
Do I Need a Cookie Policy on My Website?
/images/2022/04/29/cookie-policy-illustration-1200x1200.jpg)
How To Write a Website Cookie Policy
/images/2022/05/02/lock-image-with-numbers-1200x1200.jpg)
What Is P3P (Privacy Preferences Platform)?
/images/2022/04/29/personalized-content-cookies-video-1200x1200.jpg)
How Do Cookies Provide Personalized Content?