What is the real_cookie_banner- cookie?
real_cookie_banner- is an HTTP cookie set by Real Cookie Banner, a consent management solution (CMP) used mainly on WordPress sites running the plugin of the same name. The full cookie name continues after this prefix with a unique identifier generated for that site's consent configuration, which is why the exact name differs from site to site.
It is created as soon as a visitor interacts with the cookie banner (accepts, rejects, or customizes their choices), set by the CMP script running on the page shown to the visitor.
What data it stores
The cookie typically stores information about the visitor's consent choice: which cookie categories were accepted or rejected (for example statistics, marketing, preferences) and, sometimes, an identifier or version of the consent text shown. The exact value format can vary depending on the plugin version and site configuration, so it cannot be described as having a fixed structure.
The data normally stays in the visitor's browser and is read by the CMP script on that site to decide whether the banner needs to be shown again and which third-party scripts may load.
What it is used for
This cookie's purpose is purely functional: it lets the site remember the visitor's consent decision so the cookie banner does not reappear on every page or every subsequent visit.
For the site owner, this cookie is essential to prove and enforce visitors' consent choices — for example, to automatically keep marketing or analytics scripts blocked until the visitor agrees.
Does it require consent?
Classified as strictly necessary, this cookie does not require the visitor's prior consent under the ePrivacy Directive (implemented in Romania via Law 506/2004) and GDPR, since without it the CMP could not function at all.
- It should still be disclosed in the site's cookie policy, with its purpose and duration.
- Site owners must correctly configure the "necessary" category in the CMP so other, non-essential cookies aren't hidden under the same label.
- Its typical duration is about 1 year, after which consent needs to be reconfirmed.
How to block or delete real_cookie_banner-
A visitor can delete or block this cookie from browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari — per-site cookie management), but the consent banner will then reappear on the next visit.
For site owners who want centralized control over all cookies, not just strictly necessary ones, a platform like CookieFix can automatically block non-essential scripts until the visitor gives explicit consent, while still allowing functional cookies like this one to work.
Frequently asked questions
It's the cookie used by the Real Cookie Banner plugin to remember a visitor's consent choice on a WordPress site.
No, it only stores the visitor's consent preference and is necessary for the cookie banner to work correctly.
No, it is classified as strictly necessary, so it doesn't require prior consent, but it must be listed in the site's cookie policy.
Its typical duration is about 1 year, after which the visitor may be asked to confirm their consent again.