---
title: "Adding Cookie Consent"
description: "No doubt you've seen Cookie Consent banners around the web in the last few years. They give visitors a heads up users about being tracked. HelpDocs comes with the ability to enable a cookie consent b…"
url: "https://support.helpdocs.io/article/14svd3evyf-understanding-cookie-consent"
category: "Customizing your HelpDocs"
updated_at: "2026-09-07T15:12:24Z"
---

# Adding Cookie Consent

No doubt you've seen Cookie Consent banners around the web in the last few years. They give visitors a heads up users about being tracked.

HelpDocs comes with the ability to enable a cookie consent banner on your knowledge base without any code. It changes based on your Primary Color and any options you choose.

Cookie Consent is supported on v3next or above [templates](/article/uQDebSnIrD-choosing-a-layout)

### Enabling Cookie Consent

1. Head to **Settings** > **General** and look for the **Data protection** section
2. Under **Cookie consent**, tick **Enable**
3. Hit **Save Changes**

### Cookie Consent Options

The built-in Cookie Consent comes with a bunch of options so it's easy to customize without using code. Here's a lowdown on what you can change in-app.

#### Consent Type

You can choose what level of consent you'd like to display to your visitors.

🇪🇺 In line with [EU regulations](https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2019-10/cp190125en.pdf) we recommend choosing Opt-in as your consent type.

Consent type

What it does

Preview

Dismiss

Shows a `Dismiss` button below the cookie consent message.

This adds a cookie to the visitor's browser so the consent popup doesn't appear when they navigate the page.

![](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/14svd3evyf/1788787865269/cookie-dismiss-v-2.png)

Opt-in

Gives the user an option to `Decline` or `Allow cookies` on your knowledge base.

After selecting Opt-in you'll be able to add Essential Cookies that *won't* be removed if the visitor chooses Decline.

Ironic we know—but this drops a cookie so we know the visitor doesn't want to be tracked for that session.

This may affect your analytics. [Learn more over here](https://support.helpdocs.io/article/14svd3evyf-understanding-cookie-consent#opt_in_affecting_analytics).

![](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/14svd3evyf/1788787866074/cookie-optin-v-2.png)

#### Banner Position

Choose how your banner appears on your knowledge base.

You can either show it as a full-width banner on the top or bottom of your knowledge base or you can make it appear floated at one of the sides.

##### Banner

![](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/14svd3evyf/1788787866867/cookie-bar-v-2.png)

##### Floated

![](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/14svd3evyf/1788787865269/cookie-dismiss-v-2.png)

#### Cookie Policy Link

Point visitors to your cookie policy by adding a link with more information. By default it'll point to [https://www.cookiesandyou.com](https://www.cookiesandyou.com/) which has information about what cookies are how they work.

Make sure to add the URL prefix (e.g. https://) so it'll point visitors to the right place

#### Essential Cookies

If you've enabled Opt-in as the Consent Type you'll be given an option to add essential cookies. These **won't** be removed if the visitor clicks Decline.

You'll want to add the **cookie name or key** as the Essential Cookie string.

We strongly recommend only adding cookies you need to keep your knowledge base running.

#### Opt-in Affecting Analytics

Your analytics will stop being recorded if you enable the **Opt-in** mode and the visitor chooses **Decline**. You may want to add these cookies to **Essential Cookies** so your analytics run smoothly:

- `_hdu` for user tokens
- `_hds` for session tokens

![The Data protection section with _hdu and _hds added under Essential cookies](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/14svd3evyf/1788790885910/st-essential-cookies.png)