Hello, Hyrolian! It\u2019s time to talk about a debate that\u2019s not so great. Cookie vs Pixel. It\u2019s not quite as exciting as deciding the right way to put the toilet paper roll on, now is it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, that\u2019s what we\u2019re gonna talk about\u2014cookies and pixels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can\u2019t talk about cookies without first talking about a server. A server is that part of your system that gets all the data into your computer. A web server is a computer storing web server software and files and it connects to the internet. And an ad server delivers advertisements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What the heck does that have to do with cookies? Well, a cookie is just a bit of code that is put on your browser thanks to a web server. Now, because you made the decision to take a little visit to the website, it\u2019s what\u2019s known as a first-party cookie. Your visit to that website basically gave permission for that cookie to be on your browser. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Essentially, the cookies just sit there gathering data about a user\u2019s behavior on that site in an effort to glean enough information to construct a more accurate picture of who the user truly is. Cookies can then be accessed by the website, the user, or in some cases by a third party. (The third-party business is what bugs most people!)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These days, it\u2019s hard to miss the questions that pop up when you\u2019re on a website. \u201cThis browser uses cookies \u2026 blah blah blah \u2026\u201d Privacy laws in force today make it so you have to agree to certain terms and conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike chocolate chip cookies from your mama\u2019s oven that cause you to store extra fluff around your midsection, these cookies are the things that store stuff. Cookies on your browser are there to store various types of information. Their purpose is to identify you and the website responsible for first placing that cookie there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cookies can be incredibly convenient. When you jump on Facebook or Amazon and you\u2019re already logged in. (And if you have a tendency to forget your passwords, this is pretty much critical to your online existence.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or what about when you find a fantastic pair of suede boots online? Then, you see those boots appear in an ad when you get on a different site. It\u2019s as if those boots have eyes watching you \u2026 Nope. That\u2019s a cookie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And who hasn\u2019t seen a greeting like \u201cWelcome back Mr. Smith!\u201d when you revisit a website? Web analytics are keeping track of where you\u2019ve been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now you know cookies. You\u2019ve seen them. It\u2019s time to talk pixels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Servers do have a few human characteristics. They\u2019re not technically hormonal or emotional, but they sure as heck seem like it sometimes. You\u2019ve noticed it. Sometimes servers get along with each other and have a nice talk. Then there are days when they act like teenage girls in a catfight and they refuse to talk. That … Is super annoying<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But, then you have pixels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So when servers are sharing info, neither of them wants the other to bring in a digital dump truck of information and empty it on them. So, rather than unloading, they just share a little at a time. Back and forth, back and forth, they carry the information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How exactly does that work? Let\u2019s say somebody gets on your website and buys your product. (Good job, dude.) You want to know which ad it was that sparked their interest to get on your site and make a purchase, right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now you want to know which ad it was so you can create more ads and repeat the process to get more conversions or purchases. But, the place where the original curiosity-sparking ad sits doesn\u2019t sit in the same place as your website. Whoopsie. That\u2019s a problem because they refuse to talk to each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, you need a pixel. Your pixel is like a little tracking ghost. Just hiding there in plain sight. Pixels in a cluster would look like a glitch on your screen. But a single pixel? That puppy is so tiny that the human eye doesn\u2019t perceive it. Truly, the only ones who have knowledge of their presence are the advertisers and websites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Each time your browser snags a page or an email, you can probably bank on a pixel clinging to it. So that pixel comes right along with the download as part of the total image. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Guess what else is magical about the little ghostly pixel? Pixels work with those lovely cookies. They take that cookie and send it to the server when the user finishes the leg of the marketing journey you\u2019ve sent them on. The action carried out can vary from pixel to pixel depending on the intention that\u2019s been set. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The bottom line is that the pixel makes it possible to carry information from the web server to the ad server as needed for the marketing campaign or strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like cookies we bake, these cookies come in various types. Each type of cookie does something different and gathers different data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 8 Types of Cookies:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s the thing. Most people want to be asked if cookies can be used, but they don’t even know why. They just instinctively know it feels like an invasion of privacy. So when people get the chance to opt out, they do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many browsers paid attention to what users were telling them and quit using cookies. However, Google has managed to work out a deal to leave its cookies right where they are until the end of 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Apple\u2019s Safari browser blocks every single third-party cookie. So, whatever you do on your personal iPhone stays right there on your personal iPhone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Obviously, as marketers, we need something like cookies and pixels to gather data from our users in order to keep improving our ad campaigns and strategies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can start checking into what Google\u2019s plan is for ditching their cookies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Evaluate the idea of using contextual advertising that targets pay-per-click ads by putting them on websites that use keyword ranking similar to your website. It\u2019s an oldie but a goodie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strategize how you might collect first-party data. If you can figure out how to maximize your first-party data, it will be beneficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cookies and pixels are useful in online advertising. That\u2019s for sure. But the third-party issue with gathering data is definitely a problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want help with your ads, that\u2019s my specialty. I\u2019m happy to give you a free one-hour phone consultation. So call me and I will look over your current ads and give you feedback. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ll also let you know if Hyros can help you increase your ROI on ad spend. I\u2019m so confident it will help you, that I guarantee it, or you get your money back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There you have it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This has been Alex Becker. Thanks for playing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hello, Hyrolian! It\u2019s time to talk about a debate that\u2019s not so great. Cookie vs Pixel. It\u2019s not quite as exciting as deciding the right way to put the toilet paper roll on, now is it? So, that\u2019s what we\u2019re gonna talk about\u2014cookies and pixels. 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Again \u2026 What\u2019s the Deal with Cookies? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Can You Do About Cookies Disappearing?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sooo \u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n