What is the ss_cid cookie?
ss_cid is an HTTP cookie set by Squarespace, the website building and hosting platform. It appears automatically on any site built with Squarespace as soon as a visitor loads a page, regardless of what actions they take afterward.
The name likely stands for „Squarespace Client ID” and is part of the internal set of cookies Squarespace uses to power its own analytics and site-optimization tools for websites hosted on the platform.
What data it stores
ss_cid stores a unique, randomly generated identifier tied to a visitor or their browsing session on the site. The exact format of the value can vary and is not documented in detail publicly by Squarespace.
The data collected through this identifier is sent to Squarespace's servers and may be used alongside related cookies (such as ss_cvt or ss_cvr) to build a picture of on-site browsing behavior.
What it is used for
The main purpose of ss_cid is statistical: it allows Squarespace to distinguish unique visitors from returning ones, measure traffic, and generate analytics reports for the site owner, such as visitor counts, pages viewed, and traffic sources.
This information is surfaced to the site administrator in the Squarespace analytics panel and can inform decisions about content, design, or marketing campaigns.
Does it require consent?
Under CookieFix's classification, ss_cid falls into the statistics (analytics) category. As a traffic-measurement cookie that is not strictly necessary for the site's technical operation, it requires the visitor's prior consent under Law 506/2004 (Romania's transposition of the ePrivacy Directive) and GDPR principles.
- The site administrator must disclose this cookie in the cookie policy, including its category, provider, and duration.
- The cookie should not be set before the visitor has given consent for the statistics category.
- Periodically re-scanning the site's actual cookies with an automated scanner is advisable, since Squarespace may change its internal cookie set over time.
How to block or delete ss_cid
A visitor can delete or block ss_cid through their browser's settings (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.), typically under cookie and site data management, or use private/incognito browsing to avoid long-term storage.
For site administrators, the most practical approach is using a consent management platform (CMP) such as CookieFix, which automatically blocks scripts in the statistics category, including those setting ss_cid, until the visitor gives explicit consent.
Frequently asked questions
No, ss_cid does not contain sensitive data such as passwords or banking details; it only holds an identifier used for traffic statistics on Squarespace sites.
Its typical duration is 2 years from the moment it is set, after which the browser deletes it automatically unless it is renewed on a later visit.
Yes, since it is a statistics cookie, you must obtain the visitor's consent before it is set, in line with Romanian and EU cookie legislation.
You can check via your browser's developer tools (Application/Storage section) or by running an automated scan of your site with a CMP platform.