What is the __pdst cookie?
__pdst is an HTTP cookie associated with Podsights, a podcast ad attribution platform acquired by Spotify. It is used by brands and agencies running podcast audio ads to measure how those campaigns drive traffic and conversions on advertiser websites.
The cookie appears on a site when that site integrates the Podsights tracking tag, typically as part of a podcast advertising campaign, rather than as a default element of any website.
What data it stores
__pdst typically stores a unique identifier tied to the visitor or browsing session, used to correlate later site visits with prior exposure to an audio ad. The exact value format is not publicly documented and may vary.
Data collected through this mechanism is sent to Podsights/Spotify servers for processing and reporting back to advertisers.
What it is used for
Its main purpose is advertising attribution: determining whether someone who heard a podcast ad later visited the advertiser's website and completed an action (visit, purchase, signup).
For the site owner, this cookie provides performance data on podcast advertising campaigns, useful for optimizing marketing spend.
Does it require consent?
__pdst is classified as a marketing/tracking cookie, since it involves collecting an identifier used for profiling and ad attribution.
- Under GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC, transposed in Romania via Law 506/2004), this cookie requires prior, explicit user consent before being set.
- Site owners must list it separately in their cookie policy, naming the provider (Podsights/Spotify) and its retention period.
- The script that sets this cookie must be technically blocked until consent for the marketing category is granted.
How to block or delete __pdst
A visitor can manually delete or block __pdst from browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge – cookie management section), or use tracker-blocking browser extensions.
For site owners, the practical solution is a consent management platform (CMP) like CookieFix, which automatically blocks the Podsights script until the visitor accepts the marketing category, preventing the cookie from being set without consent.
Frequently asked questions
It's a marketing cookie set by Podsights, used to measure how podcast audio ads drive visits to the advertiser's website.
It's set by Podsights, a podcast advertising measurement service owned by Spotify, when a site runs their tracking script.
Yes, as a marketing/tracking cookie it requires prior user consent under GDPR and Romania's ePrivacy-based legislation.
Its typical duration is 1 year from being set, after which it expires automatically in the browser.