What is the tk_r3d cookie?
tk_r3d belongs to the family of "tk_" cookies used by Jetpack, the plugin developed by Automattic for WordPress sites. These cookies are tied to the statistics module (WordPress.com Stats / Jetpack Stats), which gives site owners visitor data directly inside the WordPress admin dashboard.
The cookie typically appears on a first visit to a WordPress site that has Jetpack installed with the Stats module enabled. It is set server-side (HTTP cookie), not via client-side JavaScript.
What data it stores
Cookies in the tk_ family (including tk_r3d) store technical information related to the visit session, used to differentiate visitors and track browsing behavior for statistical purposes — for example, data related to the referring source of the visit or identification of a unique session. The exact value format is not publicly documented by Automattic and may vary.
Collected data is sent to Automattic/WordPress.com infrastructure, which processes the statistics later displayed in the Jetpack dashboard.
What it is used for
The main purpose of tk_r3d is statistical: it helps Jetpack distinguish unique visitors and correctly record the traffic source (for example, whether a visitor came from Google, a social network, or another site). This information feeds the traffic reports shown to the site administrator.
For the site, the benefit is getting visit statistics without installing a separate external tool, directly through the plugin already used for other WordPress functionality.
Does it require consent?
From CookieFix's perspective, tk_r3d is classified under the statistics (analytics) category. Under GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive, analytics cookies are not strictly necessary for the site to function, so they require the visitor's prior consent before being set.
- The site administrator must list tk_r3d in the cookie policy, with provider (Jetpack/Automattic), category, and duration.
- The cookie should be blocked until the visitor consents to the statistics category.
- If the Jetpack Stats module is not used, the cookie will not appear on the site.
How to block or delete tk_r3d
A visitor can manually delete or block tk_r3d from their browser's privacy/cookie settings (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari), either by clearing existing cookies or blocking cookies from that domain.
For site administrators, automatic blocking before consent is the recommended approach: a CMP such as CookieFix can intercept and block scripts/cookies in the statistics category, including those generated by Jetpack, until the visitor gives explicit consent.
Frequently asked questions
It's an HTTP cookie set by Jetpack, used by the WordPress.com Stats module to identify visit sessions and traffic sources.
No, it's an internal analytics cookie used for traffic reports, not for cross-site targeted advertising.
Yes, since it's classified as an analytics cookie, it requires the visitor's prior consent under the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR.
Its typical duration is 3 days, after which it automatically expires from the browser.