What is the __hs_cookie_cat_pref cookie?
__hs_cookie_cat_pref is an HTTP cookie set by the HubSpot platform on domains that use HubSpot modules (tracking code, forms, chat, CMS Hub) and that have enabled HubSpot's native category-based consent management.
It appears in a visitor's browser once they interact with the HubSpot cookie banner and set their preferences (for example, accepting statistics cookies while declining marketing ones). It does not appear if the site uses a third-party CMP instead of HubSpot's native consent banner, even if other HubSpot scripts are still present.
What data it stores
The cookie stores the visitor's consent choices for the cookie categories defined by HubSpot (typically: necessary, functional/preferences, statistics, marketing). Its value is an internal HubSpot data structure, not a unique advertising tracking identifier.
The data stays stored locally in the visitor's browser and is read by HubSpot scripts loaded on the page to decide which other cookies (analytics, marketing) are allowed to activate. It is not sent to third-party servers outside HubSpot's infrastructure.
What it is used for
The purpose of this cookie is strictly technical: it lets HubSpot's platform remember a visitor's consent choices so the cookie banner doesn't reappear on every page or on every repeat visit, as long as the cookie remains valid.
For the site owner, this cookie is essential to the correct functioning of HubSpot's consent mechanism: without it, other HubSpot scripts (analytics, chat, tracking-enabled forms) would have no way of knowing whether they're allowed to run.
Does it require consent?
Since it exclusively stores the visitor's own consent preferences, this cookie is classified as strictly necessary and does not itself require prior consent, under Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive (transposed in Romania via Law 506/2004) and regulator guidance on indispensable functional cookies.
The site owner must still list it in the cookie policy, with its actual purpose and retention period, since transparency about all cookies is required under GDPR regardless of category.
How to block or delete __hs_cookie_cat_pref
A visitor can delete or block this cookie from their browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari – per-site cookie management). The practical effect is that the HubSpot consent banner will reappear on the next visit, asking the visitor to choose categories again.
Because it is strictly necessary, a properly configured CMP should not block this specific cookie, but it must automatically block all other non-essential HubSpot scripts (analytics, marketing) until the visitor gives explicit consent. CookieFix does this automatically, blocking scripts from non-necessary categories until consent is obtained.
Frequently asked questions
It's a cookie set by HubSpot that stores a visitor's category-level cookie consent choices so the cookie banner doesn't reappear on every visit.
No, it's classified as strictly necessary since it only stores the visitor's own consent choice, but it must still be listed in the site's cookie policy.
The typical duration observed is 6 months, after which the recorded preferences expire and the banner may reappear.
The HubSpot consent banner will show up again on the next visit, and the visitor will need to choose their category preferences once more.