A persistent cookie is a data file capable of providing websites with user preferences, settings and information for future visits. Persistent cookies provide convenient and rapid access to familiar objects, which enhances the user experience (UX).
A persistent cookie is also known as a stored or permanent cookie.
When users visit a website and set choices or preferences, persistent cookies may be used to remember these options. Persistent cookies can help isolate and identify a specific client and are capable of traversing a user’s path toward a website. They are stored as text files on the hard drive of a computer and usually have expiration dates of one to two years.
Persistent cookies facilitate setting the following preferences:
- Favorites or internal bookmarks
- User authentication
- Login details
- Menu preferences
- Theme selection, if applicable
- Language preferences
Persistent cookies are also capable of providing the browsing behavior of users.
