Glossary of Web Design Terms

HTTP Cookie (or Cookie)

A cookie is a small text file sent from a web server and saved on your local hard drive by your web browser.

Cookies can be used to track users on a site or across multiple sites, to remember users when they return to log them in automatically or to reconnect them with a shopping cart, or to store information about that user for later retrieval by the web server.

Why Does This Matter to Me?

Cookies may be used on your site if you have login-related functions or other functionality on your site that requires that a returning visitor be identified to simplify or improve their experience with your web site.