Functional cookies (preference cookies) are used to remember user preferences and enhance the user experience. They are not essential for the website to function.
What are functional cookies?
Functional cookies remember user choices and personalise the website according to their preferences. The website would work without them, but with a poorer user experience.
Examples of functional cookies
- Language preference – Remembering the chosen language
- Regional settings – Currency, time zone
- Display – Grid vs. list, dark mode
- Filled-in fields – Remembering a name in comments
- Video player – Volume settings, quality
- Chat history – Live chat records
Functional vs. Essential cookies
The boundary between functional and essential cookies can be unclear. The key distinction is:
- Essential – The website does not function without them (login, basket)
- Functional – The website works, but with a poorer UX (language preference)
Do they require consent?
Yes, functional cookies require user consent because they are not strictly necessary for the website to function. Users can use the website without them, simply with default settings.
Recommendation
In the cookie banner, it is advisable to separate functional cookies from analytics and marketing cookies so that users can consent to preferences only, if they do not wish to be tracked.