Cookie Banner Modes
In this article, we analyze the various banner modes available in the app in detail and how they can be configured to meet different compliance needs (GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, etc.).
The different modes are listed below.
Informative
Behavior:
All cookies (essential & non-essential) are allowed by default when pages load and cannot be blocked.
Usage:
This banner is purely informational. It explains to visitors what cookies are used and why, but does not provide any opt-in or opt-out choice.
Actions available:
- Ok (default): Closes the banner. Full consent is implied.
- X (optional): Closes banner, all cookies remain active.
- Leave site (optional): Redirects the user outside the website (e.g., google.com).
This is the simplest mode but is not recommended for strict GDPR compliance since it does not allow explicit consent.
Decline only
Behavior:
All cookies are allowed by default until the visitor actively opts out.
Usage:
Explains the website’s cookie usage, focusing on why non-essential cookies (e.g., Marketing & Analytics) are used.
Actions available:
- Decline: Blocks non-essential cookies for future visits (depending on configuration).
- X (optional): Closes banner, all cookies remain active.
- Leave site (optional): Redirects the user outside the website (e.g., google.com).
This mode is more flexible but may not fully comply with GDPR standards.
Accept only
Behavior:
Only strictly necessary cookies are allowed by default. Non-essential cookies remain blocked until the visitor explicitly accepts them.
Usage:
The banner explains why essential cookies cannot be blocked and highlights the benefits of enabling additional cookies (e.g., better store experience).
Actions available:
- Accept (default): Allows all cookies, full consent implied.
- X (optional): Closes banner, only essential cookies remain active.
- Leave Site (optional): Redirects the user away from the store.
This is a strict mode suitable for GDPR.
Accept/Decline
Behavior:
Only strictly necessary cookies are allowed initially. Visitors must explicitly choose whether to allow all cookies or only essential ones.
Actions available:
- Accept: Enables all cookies.
- Decline: Keeps only strictly necessary cookies.
- X (optional): Closes banner, only essential cookies remain active.
- Leave Site (optional): Redirects the user away from the store.
This is a strict mode and recommended for GDPR compliance.
Preferences
Behavior:
Visitors can choose which categories of cookies to allow or block (e.g., Marketing, Analytics). Default settings depend on configuration.
Actions available:
- Accept: Enables all cookies.
- Decline: Declines all cookies except strictly necessary ones.
- X (optional): Closes banner with default settings.
- Preferences: Opens a detailed panel where the visitor can select categories.
Configuration options include:
- Strict Policy: Only strictly necessary cookies allowed by default. Others start unchecked.
- Loose Policy: All cookies allowed by default. Others start checked.
- Strict/Loose Policy: Hybrid approach (strict for EU/UK under GDPR, loose for other regions).
Additional settings available:
- Enable Accept/Reject All to save preferences and close the banner in one step.
- Display a detailed list of cookies under each category.
TCF/IAB v2.2
Behavior:
The Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) is an industry-standard solution designed to meet the requirements of the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive.
When enabled, this banner integrates with the IAB Europe’s TCF v2.2, allowing vendors and publishers to:
- Collect, manage, and share user consent in a standardized way.
- Ensure compliance across advertising and data-driven services.
- Provide transparency to users about how their data will be used.
Actions available:
- Accept All: Grants consent for all purposes and vendors.
- Reject All: Denies consent for all non-essential purposes and vendors.
- Manage Preferences: Opens a detailed interface where users can select purposes and vendors individually.
This mode is recommended for websites using ad-tech vendors or participating in programmatic advertising.
Comparison Table of Banner Modes
Banner Mode | Default Behavior | User Choice Options | Compliance Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Informative | All cookies allowed by default | Ok, optional X (implied consent), optional Leave | Weak (not GDPR compliant) | Informing users only, low-risk sites |
Decline Only | All cookies allowed by default | Decline (opt-out), optional X (implied consent), optional Leave | Loose (limited GDPR compliance) | Sites prioritizing convenience over strict compliance |
Accept Only | Only essential cookies allowed | Accept (opt-in), optional X, optional Leave Site | Strict (GDPR compliant) | Stores needing strong user consent |
Accept/Decline | Only essential cookies allowed | Accept (all cookies), Decline (essentials only) optional X, optional Leave Site | Strict (GDPR compliant) | GDPR-focused businesses |
Preferences | Configurable (strict/loose) | Accept, Decline, Preferences (customize) optional X, optional Leave Site | Flexible (can be strict) | Sites needing granular consent management |
TCF/IAB v2.2 | Strict (only essentials allowed until consent) | Accept All, Reject All, Manage Preferences (vendors/purposes) | Strict (GDPR & ad-tech industry standard) | Publishers and businesses using advertising vendors |
Updated on: 29/09/2025
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