How to Block Tracking Cookies in Chrome

Cookies are small files websites create to save information about your visit, like keeping you signed in or remembering your preferences. Google describes two kinds:

• First-party cookies are created by the site you visit, the one shown in the address bar.
• Third-party cookies are created by other sites. A page can include content such as ads or images from other sites, and those sites can use their cookies to personalize content and track what you do across sites.

Microsoft notes that trackers following you across sites are why ads can seem to chase you around the web. Blocking third-party cookies keeps the useful first-party cookies working while cutting down on cross-site tracking.

1. Block Third-Party Cookies in Chrome

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1. Open Chrome and select More (⋮) > Settings.
2. Select Privacy and security > Third-party cookies.
3. Choose Block third-party cookies.

If a site you trust stops working properly, you can let just that site use third-party cookies. On the same page, select Add next to Sites allowed to use third-party cookies, enter the address and select Add. To cover a whole domain, put [*.] before it, for example [*.]example.com. You can also allow them for the site you're on from the address bar: select Third-party cookies blocked and turn on Third-party cookies. The site can then use them for 90 days or until you turn the setting off.

Expected result: Block third-party cookies stays selected, and new third-party cookies are blocked unless a site is on your exceptions list.

2. Delete the Tracking Cookies Already Stored

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Blocking stops new third-party cookies, but it doesn't remove the ones already saved.

1. Select More > Delete browsing data.
2. Choose a time range. Pick All time to remove everything.
3. Tick Cookies and other site data.
4. Select Delete data.

To remove one site's cookies only, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies > See all site data and permissions, search for the site, select Delete next to it, then select Delete again to confirm. For Edge and Firefox, see our guide on how to clear your browser's data and cache.

Expected result: sites you were signed in to ask you to sign in again.

3. Don't Block All Cookies Unless You Need To

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You can stop sites from saving any cookies at all, but it's rarely worth it. Google warns that if you don't allow sites to save cookies, sites may not work as expected, and Microsoft notes that blocking cookies might stop some pages from displaying correctly. Deleting or blocking cookies can sign you out of sites and remove saved preferences. Blocking third-party cookies, as in step 1, deals with cross-site tracking without those problems.

4. Block Tracking in Edge and Firefox Too

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Each browser has its own settings, so repeat this in any other browser you use.

• Edge, third-party cookies: select Settings and more (…) > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies, and turn on Block third-party cookies.
• Edge, tracking prevention: in Privacy, search, and services, select Tracking prevention, make sure it's on, and choose Balanced (recommended) or Strict. Microsoft notes that Strict blocks most cross-site trackers but could stop some sites working as expected, such as a video that won't play.
• Firefox: Total Cookie Protection is on by default in Firefox's Standard protection. It keeps each site's cookies separate, so trackers find it much harder to follow you across sites. For more blocking, select the shield icon to the left of the address bar > Protection Settings and choose Strict. Mozilla notes that some sites may need adjustments in this mode.

Expected result: in Edge, select View site information in the address bar on any site, then Trackers, to see how many trackers were blocked.

5. Use a Private Window for One-Off Browsing

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Private windows are handy on a shared computer or when you don't want a visit remembered.

• Chrome: press Ctrl + Shift + N, or select More > New Incognito window. Third-party cookies are blocked by default in Incognito, and cookies and site data are removed when you close the Incognito session.
• Edge: select Settings and more > New InPrivate window. Edge doesn't save your browsing history, cookies, site data or form entries from it.

Private windows don't make you invisible. Google notes that the websites you visit, and your school, employer or internet service provider, may still see your activity.

6. Turn Off Personalized Ads in Your Google Account

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Cookies aren't the only way ads are tailored. When you're signed in, Google can use your account activity to personalize ads. To turn this off:

1. Go to My Ad Center while signed in to your Google Account.
2. Select Off next to Personalized ads, then confirm.

You'll still see ads, but Google says they'll be based on things like the topic of the page and the time of day rather than your info, and personalized ads on sites and apps that partner with Google are turned off too. The topics and brands you set in My Ad Center are deleted. If you browse without signing in, use Google's Ad Settings page instead; those settings are saved to that browser only.

7. More Ways to Browse Safely

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• Keep Chrome up to date: select More > Help > About Google Chrome, and select Relaunch if an update is ready.
• Turn on Enhanced protection: in Settings > Privacy and security > Security, choose Enhanced protection. Chrome then warns you about dangerous sites, downloads and extensions, including ones Google hasn't seen before. Standard protection is the default.
• Be choosy with extensions: Google advises turning on only extensions you trust, and lists unwanted extensions that keep coming back as a sign of unwanted software. Our guide on removing ads in Chrome, Edge and Firefox shows how to check them.