Analytics Warning message – "Analytics is likely inaccurate due to disabled cookies"

Has anybody seen this warning message when looking at their traffic Analytics?

When I click on "Change" — the 2nd photo shows my current Cookie settings.

What am I missing?

Wanted to follow up with another question on this thread as I am seeing the same thing. Does this mean that my data will not be accurate at all? or does it just mean it won't show the individuals that choose not to opt in for cookies? @paul2009

10 hours ago, MML997 said:

Does this mean that my data will not be accurate at all? or does it just mean it won't show the individuals that choose not to opt in for cookies?

Data will be accurate for visitors who accepted cookies and less accurate for those who do not accept them. 

Perfect, thanks!

One more follow up - I have cookies disabled for now and see the same disclaimer....but does this mean all of the traffic data is inaccurate? The bounce rate and other details would undoubtedly be wrong, but would the general data re visits be more or less correct?

1 hour ago, SDMorley said:

would the general data re visits be more or less correct?

No. It will look like you have more visitors than you actually have.

Each pageview event counts like it’s from a new visitor each time. As a result, visits and unique visitors will appear much higher than normal. Each page view counts as its own visit, when in reality, one visitor will typically view multiple pages during their visit.

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Thank you - I assumed artificially high, but thanks for making that easier to explain to the "cookie-reluctant" artist

When I attempt to check the analytics on my site, this box comes up, I have followed the link everything appears to be on, I am clearly missing something, any help is appreciated thank you

22 hours ago, Paulstearman1234 said:

When I attempt to check the analytics on my site, this box comes up

This is correct. Please read my answer above.

Hi! Is there any way to differentiate visitors who have opted-in and visitors who have opted-out to get a more accurate read on total visitors? 

1 hour ago, marawilson said:

Is there any way to differentiate visitors who have opted-in and visitors who have opted-out to get a more accurate read on total visitors? 

No, this is not possible. 

If you'd like analytics that don't require cookies then I recommend taking a look at Plausible Analytics. It's very simple to add and it was built in the EU with privacy in mind. You can get a free trial and then it's around £90/€90/$90 per year.

Unlike Squarespace and Google, Plausible doesn't use cookies and does not collect any personal data so, if you aren't using cookies for anything else, you won't even need to annoy your visitors with a cookie notice! And you'll still get accurate statistics for unique visitors and page views - amongst other things.

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Hi! I have the same warning message about the disabled cookies on a client's website. What I find strange is that, since I activated their cookies - I see a huge spike in direct traffic. I can't seem to find the explanation. Of course I hope it's a good thing, but I wonder if it's 'real' traffic?

31 minutes ago, Philine said:

I have the same warning message about the disabled cookies on a client's website. What I find strange is that, since I activated their cookies - I see a huge spike in direct traffic.

If users decline cookies you will see an [inaccurate] spike in user traffic on Squarespace Analytics. As explained above, this is because each page view will count as a separate visit.

Is this what you mean?

I think that's the case, yes. I see no other 'reason' and because it's a day after the cookies installed, it must be so. Although, I'm wondering if the spike eventually goes down? Or does it remain like this, depending on the decline/accept of cookies by visitors? That it ultimately comes down to; the more people accept, the more accurate it is? I would like to reassure my client that it's not a problem or something to worry about and well-explained. Thank you for your quick reply!

6 minutes ago, Philine said:

I'm wondering if the spike eventually goes down? Or does it remain like this, depending on the decline/accept of cookies by visitors? That it ultimately comes down to; the more people accept, the more accurate it is?

It will always be like this if you're using Squarespace Analytics - accurate if accepted; wrong if declined.