What is the _hjDonePolls cookie?
_hjDonePolls is an HTTP cookie set by Hotjar, a service used to analyze visitor behavior through heatmaps, session recordings, and pop-up feedback polls. It is created by the Hotjar script (hotjar.com) when installed on a website, once a visitor interacts with a poll shown on the page.
The cookie typically appears as soon as the Hotjar script runs on the page, regardless of whether the visitor completes or simply dismisses the poll.
What data it stores
The cookie stores identifiers of the polls a visitor has already interacted with on the site, so Hotjar knows not to display them again to that person. The exact value format is not publicly documented by Hotjar and may vary; it generally does not contain directly identifying data such as a name or email address.
Data is sent to Hotjar's servers (part of Contentsquare) to match interactions to the site's Hotjar account.
What it is used for
For the provider and site owner, the cookie serves a functional role within the feedback tool: it prevents the same visitor from repeatedly seeing a poll they already answered or closed, improving browsing experience and the quality of survey data collected.
It is part of the broader Hotjar cookie suite (alongside _hjSessionUser, _hjSession, etc.) used for behavioral analytics of visitors.
Does it require consent?
In CookieFix's classification, _hjDonePolls falls under the statistics (analytics) category. Since it is used to track visitor interaction with on-site elements for analytical purposes, it falls under ePrivacy Directive requirements (transposed in Romania via Law 506/2004) and requires the visitor's prior consent, in line with GDPR's freely given consent standard.
Site owners must disclose this cookie in their cookie policy, obtain explicit consent before activating the Hotjar script, and allow consent to be withdrawn at any time.
How to block or delete _hjDonePolls
A visitor can delete or block this cookie via browser settings (per-site cookie management) or by using private browsing mode. Hotjar also provides a direct opt-out mechanism on its website.
- From the browser: delete cookies for the relevant domain or block third-party cookies.
- From the site owner's side: the Hotjar script should load only after consent, not by default on page load.
CMP platforms such as CookieFix can automatically block the Hotjar script (and therefore this cookie) until the visitor gives consent for the statistics category.
Frequently asked questions
No, it only stores identifiers of polls the visitor already completed or dismissed, without directly identifying data such as a name or email.
The typical duration is 1 year, after which it expires automatically if the visitor no longer interacts with Hotjar polls on the site.
Yes, since it's an analytics/statistics cookie set by Hotjar, it requires the visitor's prior consent under Romania's Law 506/2004 and the GDPR.
You can check via the browser's inspection tool (Application/Storage > Cookies) or with a cookie scanner that automatically lists all active cookies on the domain.