GDPR and Privacy Settings (Cookie Consent)

Overview

ExpertRec includes a built-in cookie consent manager that lets you comply with GDPR, CCPA, and other regional privacy regulations without requiring a third-party cookie banner for your search widget. Configure these settings in your ExpertRec control panel under GDPR/Privacy (route: /ecom/ui-customization/cookie-settings).

What Data the Search Widget Collects

By default, the ExpertRec search widget collects the following data to power analytics and personalisation features:

• Search queries: The terms your customers type into the search box.
• Click events: Which products or results customers click on.
• Session identifiers: Anonymous IDs used to link queries and clicks within a single session.
• Device and location signals: Browser type, device category, and approximate geographic region for the Device and Locations reports.

No personally identifiable information (PII) such as names, email addresses, or payment details is collected by the search widget.

Configuring Cookie Consent

1. Log in to your ExpertRec control panel.
2. Navigate to GDPR/Privacy.
3. Choose a consent mode:
   • No banner (default): Data collection proceeds without a prompt. Suitable for stores where your existing site-wide cookie notice covers analytics tracking.
   • Soft consent: A non-blocking notice informs users that search data is collected. Data collection begins immediately but users can opt out.
   • Explicit consent: Data collection is paused until the user accepts the cookie notice. Recommended for EU-focused stores that must comply with strict GDPR rules.
4. Customise the banner text, button labels, and colors to match your storefront.
5. Save your settings. Changes take effect immediately.

Disabling Data Collection Entirely

If you prefer to disable all analytics data collection for the search widget, toggle Disable data collection on within the GDPR/Privacy settings. Note that disabling data collection will turn off all Reporting features, including Search Insights, User Engagement, and Product Performance reports, because those reports rely on the collected event data.

CCPA and Other Regulations

The consent modes described above satisfy CCPA opt-out requirements as well. For stores targeting California residents, the Soft consent mode with an opt-out link is the recommended configuration. ExpertRec does not sell or share collected search data with third parties.

Need Help?

If your privacy policy requires a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with ExpertRec, contact support@expertrec.com to request one.