Google · Cookies

What This Policy Covers

This is Google's dedicated explanation of how it uses cookies and similar technologies (like unique device IDs, pixel tags, and local storage) across its services — Search, YouTube, Google Play, and others. It also covers how Google's advertising platform uses cookies on third-party websites you visit.

What Cookies Do and How Long They Last

Google groups its cookies into five purposes: functionality (remembering your preferences, like language or search settings), security (blocking fraud, spam, and unauthorized account access), analytics (understanding how people use its services), advertising (showing and measuring ads, including on non-Google sites), and personalization (tailoring content and recommendations to you). Lifetimes vary widely — from 30 minutes (pm_sess) to 24 months (IDE/id outside the EEA/UK) — but most common cookies last 6–13 months.

Advertising Is the Most Far-Reaching Use

Google's ad cookies don't just follow you across Google's own products — cookies like IDE, id, and _gads are placed on third-party websites to show you Google ads and track whether you buy something after clicking an ad. If you have personalized ads on, IDE tailors ads to you; if you've opted out, the id cookie remembers that opt-out. Mobile advertising IDs (like Android's AdID) work similarly on apps. Advertisers using Google Analytics can also track your activity on their sites via _gac_ and _gcl_ cookies.

Managing Your Choices

You can adjust cookie use at g.co/privacytools, manage ad personalization at myadcenter.google.com, or use your browser's built-in cookie controls. On Android, you can reset or limit your Advertising ID in device settings. Even if you reject personalization cookies, Google says your experience may still be shaped by contextual signals like your location or device type.