About Cookie Scan Results

One of the key features of our cookie management process at Ad Spin Media is the automated cookie scan. When setting up your website’s cookie compliance, our system guides you through a scan that detects cookies placed by your website. This initial scan is followed by a recurring monthly scan to ensure your Cookie Policy remains up-to-date.

In this article, we’ll explore how the cookie scan works, how to interpret its findings, and provide three useful tips to ensure the most accurate scan results. Need to know how to disable automatic scans? Read on for more details.

How the Cookie Scan Works

Our system utilizes your browser to scan multiple pages of your site (via an invisible iFrame) and identifies all cookies placed on your domain. It also scans for third-party scripts that may be present. For websites with extensive content, the scan processes five pages per page load while you are logged in as an admin. This method minimizes server load and prevents long wait times.

Interpreting Cookie Scan Results

After a brief wait, the scan results will be displayed. This overview confirms the scan’s success, and a more detailed breakdown follows. During this process, you will be asked about third-party tools such as Google Analytics or Matomo. The final step in the Cookie Compliance setup is the ‘Used Cookies’ section, where scan results sync with a cookie database for accuracy.

For most websites, our system collects all necessary cookie details from the database, allowing you to proceed. However, here are some checks to ensure your Cookie Policy is comprehensive:

1. Are there cookies listed that are not used on the front-end? After syncing with the cookie database, the system automatically grays out cookies irrelevant to front-end visitors. You can double-check this by visiting your site in an incognito window, inspecting stored cookies, and ensuring they match what is listed in your policy. If cookies exclusive to admins or no longer in use appear, you can manually exclude them from your policy.
2. Are there any cookies listed under ‘Unknown Service’? If cookies appear under this category, they have not yet been documented in the database. If you confirm they are active on your site, you can manually enter their details and disable syncing for that specific cookie.
3. Do all cookies have completed descriptions? Our system flags cookies with incomplete descriptions with a red cross. You can edit these entries and complete missing details where necessary.
4. Does your site use any third-party services not detected? Some external services place cookies outside your domain. While our system detects most third-party cookies, it is wise to verify all cookies placed by marketing, tracking, or advertising tools. This can be done by inspecting cookies under the ‘Application’ section in your browser’s developer tools.

Tips for Accurate Cookie Scan Results

If your scan results appear incomplete or contain cookies from old plugins, follow these tips to improve accuracy:

1. Disable ad blockers or do-not-track settings Since the scan operates in your browser, these settings may prevent cookies from being recorded.
2. Clear cookies in your browser Old cookies from past services may still be present in your browser, affecting scan results. Clearing cookies from your domain before running a scan helps ensure accuracy.
3. Avoid multiple cookie banner plugins Running multiple cookie compliance tools simultaneously can interfere with the scan, preventing accurate detection of cookies. Disable other cookie banner plugins when performing scans.

If you have followed these steps and still have questions, our support team is here to assist you. Contact us for additional guidance on optimizing your Cookie Policy and compliance strategy.

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