A summary on cookies, and how WooCommerce uses cookies.
What are cookies? #
Cookies are small pieces of data, stored in text files, that are stored on your computer or other device when websites are loaded in a browser.
They are widely used to ‘remember’ you and your preferences, either for a single visit through a ’session cookie’ or for multiple repeat visits using a ‘persistent cookie’. They ensure a consistent and efficient experience for visitors, and perform essential functions such as allowing users to register and remain logged in.
Cookies may be set by the site that you are visiting, known as ‘first-party cookies; or by third parties, such as those who serve content or provide advertising or analytics services on the website, known as ‘third-party cookies’.
Both websites and HTML emails may also contain other tracking technologies such as ‘web beacons’, or ‘pixels’. These are typically small transparent images that provide us with statistics for similar purposes as cookies. They are often used in conjunction with cookies, though they are not stored on your computer in the same way. If you disable cookies, the web beacons may still load, but their functionality will be restricted.
Cookies set by WooCommerce #
Cookies are used by WooCommerce in a variety of ways.
Cookies depend on specific features that are enabled on a store. The cookies are active when a user interacts with one of these features or to allow admin functions to be performed from within the store’s dashboard (/wp-admin).
Details are provided in tables below, listing various cookies that are set for users of stores with the WooCommerce plugin installed.
Store front end: #
| Cookie Name | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
woocommerce_cart_hash | session | Helps WooCommerce determine when cart contents/data changes. |
woocommerce_items_in_cart | session | Helps WooCommerce determine when cart contents/data changes. |
wp_woocommerce_session_ | 2 days | Contains a unique code for each customer so that it knows where to find the cart data in the database for each customer. |
woocommerce_recently_viewed | session | Powers the Recent Viewed Products widget. |
store_notice[notice id] | session | Allows customers to dismiss the Store Notice. |
No personal information is stored within these cookies.
Store dashboard (/wp-admin): #
| Cookie Name | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
woocommerce_snooze_suggestions__[suggestion] | 2 days | Allows dashboard users to dismiss Marketplace suggestions, if enabled. |
woocommerce_dismissed_suggestions__[context] | 1 month | Count of suggestion dismissals, if enabled. |
tk_ai | session | Stores a randomly-generated anonymous ID. This is only used within the dashboard (/wp-admin) area and is used for usage tracking, if enabled. |
Questions and support #
Do you still have questions and need assistance?
This documentation is about the free, core WooCommerce plugin, for which support is provided in our community forums on WordPress.org. By searching this forum, you’ll often find that your question has been asked and answered before.
If you haven’t created a WordPress.org account to use the forums, here’s how.
- If you’re looking to extend the core functionality shown here, we recommend reviewing available extensions in the WooCommerce Marketplace.
- Need ongoing advanced support or a customization built for WooCommerce? Hire a Woo Agency Partner.
- Are you a developer building your own WooCommerce integration or extension? Check our Developer Resources.
