You can scan your site for cookies 🍪 using a free tool like CookieServe.
This will give you an overview of which cookies are placed upon initial load.
However, keep in mind
Most free tools, including CookieServe only scan the landing page and do not perform deep-level interaction testing.
For a fully compliant cookie policy, make sure to update your site’s cookie statement in line with current GDPR requirements.
These resources can help:
🛠️ Want a Complete Cookie Scan?
To detect cookies that appear only during site interactions (like embedded YouTube videos or contact forms), you’ll need a deep-dive scan using your browser’s Developer Tools. I can also perform this time-consuming task for you. Pricing depends on the number of pages and functions your site includes.
maikelvanesdonk@outlook.com
✨ Many sites unknowingly load third-party cookies after page load, which basic scans often miss.
For example, a YouTube embed may place cookies immediately when the video is loaded.
Even without a user clicking [play]. In such cases, you might opt to present a dedicated notice for just those cookies.
🍪 What Happens with a Regular YouTube Embed
When you embed a video using the standard youtube.com domain:
- Cookies are set immediately when the page loads: even if the user doesn’t interact with the video.
- These cookies can include tracking for ads, recommendations, and analytics.
🛡️ What Changes with youtube-nocookie.com
When you use the privacy-enhanced embed (e.g., https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/VIDEO_ID):
- No cookies are set on page load.
- YouTube waits until the user clicks “Play” before placing any cookies.
- This reduces passive tracking and aligns better with GDPR and other privacy regulations.
⚠️ Important Caveats
Even with youtube-nocookie.com:
- Local storage may still be used to store a unique device ID.
- Once the user interacts with the video, cookies and tracking may still begin.
- So while it’s more privacy-friendly,
youtube-nocookie.comis not fully GDPR-compliant by default.
You still need user consent before loading the video in many cases.
✅ Best Practice to stay compliant - Use a two-click solution: show a placeholder first, and only load the video after the user consents.
- Clearly explain in your cookie policy that YouTube content may set cookies upon interaction.
- There’s a handy WordPress-plugin that makes this easy to implement. If your site doesn’t set any other cookies by default, activating this plugin allows you to avoid displaying a cookie consent popup immediately on page load. Instead, the consent notice is triggered only when a user chooses to play an embedded YouTube video.
A cleaner and more user-friendly approach especially when your site doesn’t place any other cookies. - https://wordpress.org/plugins/gdpr-extensions-com-youtube-2clicksolution/
- While you could opt for another video hosting service, keep in mind that embedding YouTube videos can
enhance your SEO, especially on Google, thanks to the strong connection between YouTube and Google’s search ecosystem.
⚖️ GDPR/AVG Requirements Matter ⚖️
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is designed to protect privacy and user data across the EU.
Non-compliance may result in severe fines up to €20 million or 4% of your global turnover.
https://www.enforcementtracker.com/
If you’re unsure whether your website or business IT network is fully compliant with GDPR/AVG regulations,
feel free to reach out: 📧 maikelvanesdonk@outlook.com
Let’s make sure your website is not just fast and functional but also safe, transparent, and privacy-ready!
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