What is the driftt_aid cookie?
driftt_aid is an HTTP cookie associated with Drift, a service used by websites for live chat, chatbots, and conversational marketing. It is set by the Drift integration script installed on the site, typically as a first-party cookie under the site's own domain.
The cookie appears as soon as the Drift chat widget loads on the page, whether or not the visitor actually interacts with the chat or simply sees its icon.
What data it stores
driftt_aid generally stores an identifier assigned to the visitor or their session with the Drift widget. The exact value format may vary and is not publicly documented in detail by Drift, but it essentially acts as a recognition token, without directly containing a name, email, or other direct identifiers.
Data linked to this identifier is sent to Drift's servers (SalesLoft/Drift), which may be hosted outside the European Union.
What it is used for
The cookie's main purpose is to maintain continuity of the chat conversation and widget preferences: if a visitor minimized the widget, answered a question, or already had a conversation, driftt_aid helps Drift recognize this on a return visit.
For the site owner, this cookie contributes to a more coherent chat experience and, indirectly, to conversational marketing features such as lead qualification and conversation follow-up.
Does it require consent?
In CookieFix's classification, driftt_aid falls under preferences (functional) cookies, not strictly necessary ones. Under the ePrivacy Directive (as implemented nationally) and GDPR, this type of cookie requires the visitor's prior consent before being set.
- The site owner must declare the cookie in the cookie policy, including provider, category, and duration.
- The Drift widget should not load before consent for the preferences category is obtained.
- Users must be able to refuse or withdraw consent as easily as they gave it.
How to block or delete driftt_aid
A visitor can delete or block driftt_aid directly from browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) in the cookie management section, or use third-party script blockers or dedicated browser extensions.
For site owners using CookieFix, the Drift script can be automatically blocked at the script level until the visitor gives consent for the preferences category, through automatic script scanning, classification, and a compliant consent banner.
Frequently asked questions
No, it is not malicious; it is a functional cookie used by Drift to recognize visitors of the chat widget. Still, like any cookie involving data transfer to a third-party provider, it requires transparency and consent.
The Drift widget will no longer recognize the visitor on return, and any previous chat conversation or preferences may be lost, with no other effect on the site's functioning.
No, according to CookieFix's classification it is a preference cookie, meaning it requires prior consent, unlike strictly necessary cookies which do not.
The typical duration observed is around 2 years from when it is set, but this can vary depending on Drift's configuration and the visitor's subsequent actions.