What is the __utmli cookie?
__utmli belongs to the __utm cookie family used by the classic version of Google Analytics (the ga.js library), a technology found on older websites and gradually replaced first by Universal Analytics and later by Google Analytics 4.
It is set by the Google Analytics tracking script embedded on the site, not directly by Google, and typically appears the moment a visitor clicks a link leading to an external page or submits a form, used to capture that interaction before the browser navigates away.
What data it stores
The cookie stores technical information about the link or form the user just interacted with, used to correctly associate the exit event (outbound link click or form submission) with the current analytics session. The exact value format can vary and is not documented in detail publicly by Google.
The collected data is sent to Google Analytics servers for statistical processing, is not visibly displayed on the site, and typically does not contain directly identifiable information such as a name or email address.
What it is used for
The main purpose of __utmli is to let Google Analytics Classic correctly record clicks on external links and form submissions — events that could otherwise be lost due to the page reloading quickly or redirecting to another site.
For the site owner, this information feeds into reports about user behavior, such as which links are clicked most often and how many forms are submitted, useful for optimizing content and conversions.
Does it require consent?
In CookieFix's classification, __utmli falls under the statistics category. Under the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR, statistical analytics cookies are not strictly necessary for the site to function, so they require the visitor's prior consent before being set.
Site owners should list __utmli (or the Google Analytics Classic cookie family, if still in use) in their cookie policy and make sure the ga.js script only loads after the visitor has given explicit consent.
How to block or delete __utmli
A visitor can manually delete or block __utmli from the browser's cookie settings for a specific site, or use a Google Analytics opt-out browser extension.
- Chrome/Edge: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and site data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage website data
For site owners, a consent management platform like CookieFix can automatically block the Google Analytics script (including the classic ga.js version, if still in use) until the visitor gives consent for the statistics category, preventing the cookie from being set without a legal basis.
Frequently asked questions
It helps Google Analytics Classic register clicks on outbound links and form submissions before the page changes.
It has a very short lifespan, around one minute, since it is only used to capture an immediate transition event.
Yes, as a statistics cookie it requires the visitor's prior consent under GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive.
It is specific to Google Analytics Classic (ga.js), an older version gradually replaced by Google Analytics 4, but it can still appear on sites that haven't migrated.