What clearing cookies does and doesn't do
Clearing cookies for a specific website removes the small files that site stores on your computer to remember you — your login information, what you put in your shopping cart, which pages you visited. Once you clear them, that website won't recognize you the next time you visit, and you'll have to log in again.
Clearing cookies is useful if you want to stop a website from tracking your behavior or if you're using a shared computer and want to remove your activity. It does not remove your account from that website, delete any posts or photos you uploaded, or erase your purchase history on their servers. The website itself still has a record of everything you did there — clearing cookies only removes the local copy on your device.
If you're trying to reduce how much personal information data brokers hold about you, clearing cookies is one small step, but it won't stop a data broker from collecting new information about you in the future. You'll also need to contact the broker directly to request removal of the data they already have.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing cookies removes login information and browsing history for a specific website from your device, but does not delete your account or the website's records of your activity.
- The steps to clear cookies differ by browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge each have their own menu path.
- You can clear cookies for one website at a time, or clear all cookies from all websites at once.
- Clearing cookies will log you out of that website, so you'll need to log back in the next time you visit.
How to clear cookies in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security in the left menu. Click Clear browsing data.
A window will pop up. Make sure the time range at the top is set to All time so you remove all cookies for that site, not just recent ones. Under "Cookies and other site data," check the box next to it. Leave the other boxes unchecked unless you also want to clear your browsing history or cached images. Click Clear data.
If you want to clear cookies for only one website instead of all websites, there's a second method: go to the website, click the lock icon or information icon to the left of the web address at the top, click Cookies and site data, and then click the trash icon next to each cookie you want to remove.
How to clear cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy & Security in the left menu. Scroll down to the "Cookies and Site Data" section and click Clear Data.
A window will appear. Make sure both "Cookies and Site Data" and "Cached Web Content" are checked (or just the first one if you only want to clear cookies). Click Clear. This clears cookies from all websites. To clear cookies from a single website, go to that site, click the lock icon to the left of the web address, click Clear Cookies and Site Data, and confirm.
How to clear cookies in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Click the Privacy tab. Click Manage Website Data.
A list of websites will appear. You can search for a specific website by typing its name in the search box, or scroll through the list. Click the website you want to remove cookies from, then click Remove. If you want to clear all cookies at once, click Remove All.
How to clear cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services in the left menu. Under "Clear browsing data," click Choose what to clear.
A window will pop up. Set the time range to All time. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. Click Clear now. To clear cookies for only one website, go to that site, click the lock icon or information icon next to the web address, and click Manage under "Cookies and site permissions," then remove the cookies you don't want.
What happens after you clear cookies
Once you clear cookies for a website, you'll be logged out the next time you visit it. You'll need to enter your username and password again. Any preferences you set on that website — like language, font size, or notification settings — may reset to the default.
The website will start collecting new cookies as soon as you visit again and interact with it. Clearing cookies is not a permanent solution to tracking; it only removes the cookies that were already stored. If you want to limit tracking over time, consider using your browser's private or incognito mode, which doesn't store cookies after you close the window.
Clearing cookies as part of a larger privacy strategy
Clearing cookies from a data broker website can remove some of the tracking data stored on your device, but it won't stop the broker from collecting information about you in the future or erase the data they already have on their servers. To reduce what data brokers know about you, you'll also need to send them a removal request directly.
Many data brokers have an online form or mailing address where you can request that they delete your personal information. Some states, including California and Virginia, have laws that require data brokers to remove your information when you ask. The process usually takes several weeks, and you may need to verify your identity by providing a copy of your ID or answering security questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies delete my passwords?
No. Cookies and saved passwords are stored separately. If you want to remove saved passwords, you'll need to go to your browser's password settings and delete them there. Clearing cookies alone will not affect your saved passwords.
Can I clear cookies for one website without clearing them for all websites?
Yes. Every browser allows you to clear cookies for a single website by visiting that site, clicking the lock or information icon next to the web address, and selecting the option to clear cookies or site data. You can also use your browser's settings to clear all cookies at once if you prefer.
Do I need to clear cookies regularly?
Not necessarily. Clearing cookies occasionally can reduce tracking, but it won't prevent websites from collecting new data about you. If privacy is a concern, using private or incognito mode when you browse is often more effective than regularly clearing cookies.
What's the difference between clearing cookies and using incognito mode?
Incognito or private mode prevents your browser from storing cookies in the first place — they're deleted when you close the window. Clearing cookies removes cookies that were already stored. Incognito mode is useful for one-time visits, while clearing cookies is useful if you've already been tracked and want to remove that history.