What is the s_sq cookie?
s_sq is a session HTTP cookie associated with Adobe Analytics, one of the most widely used enterprise-grade web analytics platforms. It originates from the earlier Omniture SiteCatalyst product, and the cookie naming convention (the „s_” prefix) has remained unchanged since Adobe's acquisition of Omniture.
The cookie is set automatically by the Adobe Analytics JavaScript code (AppMeasurement or the older s_code library) when a visitor clicks a link on the page, not necessarily just from loading the site. It appears on any site that has Adobe Analytics link tracking enabled.
What data it stores
s_sq typically stores the Adobe Analytics account name (report suite) and an identifier for the clicked link, used to report the click event on the next page load. The exact value format varies by each site's account configuration and is not publicly documented by Adobe in a standardized way.
Being a session cookie, it is automatically deleted when the browser is closed. Data collected through it is sent to Adobe Analytics servers (or a custom collection domain configured by the site owner) for processing and statistical reporting.
What it is used for
Its main purpose is measuring how visitors interact with a page's navigation elements – which links, buttons, or banners get clicked. This information helps site owners understand user behavior, optimize page layout, and evaluate the effectiveness of content elements or internal campaigns.
For the provider, the aggregated data feeds standard reports within Adobe Analytics (part of Adobe Experience Cloud), and by itself does not serve a targeted advertising purpose.
Does it require consent?
In CookieFix's classification, s_sq falls under the statistics (analytics) category. Under the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR, analytics cookies are not strictly necessary for the site to function, so they require the visitor's prior consent before being placed.
- The site owner should declare this cookie in the cookie policy, including its category, provider, and actual lifespan.
- The Adobe Analytics script should load only after consent for the statistics category is obtained, not by default on page load.
- If the site serves EU/EEA visitors, any data transfer to Adobe (potentially outside the EU) should be disclosed along with the transfer mechanism used.
How to block or delete s_sq
A visitor can manually delete or block s_sq from browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all allow deleting per-site cookies or blocking third-party cookies), or by enabling „Do Not Track” or anti-tracking browser extensions.
At the site level, owners can use a CMP such as CookieFix, which automatically blocks the Adobe Analytics script (including the setting of the s_sq cookie) until the visitor consents to the statistics category, helping align script loading with ePrivacy requirements.
Frequently asked questions
It's a session cookie set by Adobe Analytics to track the last link a visitor clicked on a page.
No, it's a statistical analytics cookie used for internal behavior reporting, not for network-wide targeted advertising.
It's a session cookie, so it's automatically deleted when the visitor closes the browser.
Yes, since it's classified as an analytics cookie, it requires prior consent under GDPR and ePrivacy, and site owners must disclose it in their cookie policy.