Standard Banner vs. IAB: Which does your website need (and which could cause problems)?

If you have a website, you've probably heard of "accepting cookies." And if you also sell online or run advertising campaigns, you've probably heard of cookie banners… and the famous "IAB" banner. But what does that really mean? What's the difference between an IAB banner and a "normal" one? And how does it affect your website?

What is a cookie banner?

A cookie banner is what appears when you visit a website and asks whether you accept or reject the use of cookies. It allows users to decide whether to allow the website to collect data about their browsing.

Banner Types: Standard vs. IAB

There are two main types of banners: standard ones, which are simpler and easier to implement, and those integrated with the IAB Transparency and Consent Framework (IAB TCF), which are more complete and technical.

• The standard banner is sufficient if you use cookies only for things like statistics (Google Analytics), improving user experience, or basic functionality. It's easy to set up and complies with the law as long as the GDPR principles are respected: informing, obtaining consent before activating cookies, allowing opt-out, etc.
• The IAB TCF banner, on the other hand, is designed for sites that use online advertising with tools like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or programmatic platforms. This banner provides more detail about which companies may receive data and for what purposes, and allows the user to accept or reject each of them. Here's an example:

Which one is right for you?

It depends on your website:
If you don't run personalized advertising campaigns, the standard banner will most likely be sufficient.
If you use Google Ads, Meta Ads, or work with advertising platforms, you need an IAB-certified banner, especially now with Google Consent Mode V2.
With Lawwwing, you can have both options, and we'll help you choose the one you need based on what you use on your website.

Technical differences of the IAB TCF banner

IAB Europe's Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) is a technical standard developed to facilitate compliance with privacy regulations such as the GDPR. Its main function is to allow websites and their advertising partners to obtain, manage, and share user consent in a standardized and automated manner.
This is done through a "consent string", a data chain that indicates which processing purposes the user has agreed to or declined, and which providers are authorized to process their data. This string can be interpreted by other platforms within the digital advertising ecosystem, allowing advertising scripts to be dynamically adapted based on user preferences.

Why is the IAB TCF banner important for advertising?

Platforms like Google require the use of Google Consent Mode V2 compatible banners to continue using products like Google Ads and AdSense. If you don't use a compatible IAB banner, you may face limitations in the implementation of your campaigns.

Conclusion: Which banner do you need?

Not all websites require the same level of complexity in their cookie banner. That's why at Lawwwing, we offer both solutions:
A standard, easy-to-install, and fully compliant banner for websites without personalized advertising.
An IAB TCF v2.2 certified banner, compatible with Google Consent Mode v2 and designed to meet the technical requirements of the advertising ecosystem (PRO plan).

Scan your website with Lawwwing and we'll help you choose the best banner for you.

Are you interested in this topic? Want to learn more about the IAB banner? Don't hesitate to give us your feedback!