What is the _v__chartbeat3 cookie?
_v__chartbeat3 is a third-party HTTP cookie generated by the Chartbeat analytics platform. Chartbeat provides publishers and content sites with real-time insights into traffic and reader behavior, such as time on page, scrolling, and engagement.
The cookie is typically created as soon as the Chartbeat tracking script loads on a page, meaning on a user's first visit to a site that uses this analytics service.
What data it stores
The cookie stores a unique identifier tied to the visitor's browser, which Chartbeat uses to distinguish sessions and returning visitors. The exact value format is not publicly documented by the provider and may vary.
Data collected through this identifier is sent to Chartbeat's servers, where it is aggregated into traffic and engagement reports made available to site administrators.
What it is used for
The main purpose is traffic analysis: Chartbeat uses this cookie to distinguish new visitors from returning ones and to calculate metrics such as unique visitors, reading time, or engagement levels on articles.
For the site owner, this data helps understand content performance and supports editorial decisions, without being directly tied to advertising.
Does it require consent?
CookieFix classifies _v__chartbeat3 under the „statistics” (analytics) category. Under the ePrivacy Directive (as implemented locally) and GDPR, cookies in this category are not strictly necessary for the website to function, so they require the visitor's prior, informed consent.
- The site owner must disclose this cookie in the cookie policy.
- The Chartbeat script must be blocked until explicit consent for the „statistics” category is obtained.
- Refusing consent must not affect the site's core functionality.
How to block or delete _v__chartbeat3
A visitor can manually delete or block this cookie through browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge – site-specific cookie management sections) or by using tracker-blocking browser extensions.
For site owners, a CMP such as CookieFix automatically blocks the Chartbeat script before the visitor gives consent, allowing it to load only after the „statistics” category is accepted.
Frequently asked questions
It's an analytics cookie set by the Chartbeat service to recognize visitors and measure their engagement with a website's content.
The typical reported duration for this cookie is around 13 months from the time it is set.
Yes, as a statistics cookie it is not strictly necessary and requires the visitor's prior consent before being placed.
It can be deleted manually from the browser's privacy settings, in the per-site cookie management section.