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You can configure self-hosted Matomo to track visitors without Matomo analytics cookies, but that setting alone does not determine whether you can remove your consent banner. For one site, add _paq.push(['disableCookies']); before the tracker’s trackPageView call. For Matomo 4 or newer, a superuser can instead force cookieless tracking across the installation. Tracking continues in either case, and consent obligations depend on your jurisdiction and setup.
What cookieless Matomo does—and does not do
Disabling Matomo cookies changes how its JavaScript tracker operates; it does not stop that tracker from collecting analytics data. Matomo’s documentation explicitly notes that “Disabling cookies in Matomo does not automatically stop tracking — JavaScript-based tracking continues to run.” Matomo’s cookieless tracking guidance explains the setting and its effects.
Nor is cookieless tracking a consent setting. Matomo Tag Manager distinguishes disabling cookies from requiring tracking consent: the latter can block both cookie-based and cookieless tracking until a visitor consents. If your policy or applicable law requires prior consent for tracking, turning off cookies does not replace the consent flow.
Choose a configuration based on its scope
| Option | Scope and behavior | Consent handling | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
JavaScript disableCookies |
Disables Matomo tracking cookies where configured; tracking continues on that site. | Does not obtain consent or determine whether tracking is lawful. | Limited to the tracker configuration; cookieless reporting limitations still apply. |
| Force tracking without cookies | For Matomo 4 or newer, forces cookieless tracking across every site in the installation. | Consent methods do not re-enable cookies while this global option is active. | Broad scope and cookie-related reporting limitations. |
| Require tracking consent | Prevents tracking until the visitor consents, including cookieless tracking when configured that way. | Provides a tracking-consent gate; use it where your applicable policy and law require prior consent. | No analytics tracking before consent. |
Matomo documents the tracker setting and global option in its cookieless tracking FAQ and global privacy settings guidance. The separate Tag Manager controls are described in Matomo’s Tag Manager consent documentation.
Disable cookies for one site with the JavaScript tracker
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Find the Matomo JavaScript tracking code installed on the site.
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Add
_paq.push(['disableCookies']);immediately before the call to_paq.push(['trackPageView']);. -
Save the code and verify that the tracker still sends page-view data while Matomo tracking cookies are not being used.
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This approach applies at the tracker configuration level rather than forcing the setting across every site in the Matomo installation. It does not, by itself, establish consent or make tracking lawful.
Force cookieless tracking across a Matomo installation
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Log in to Matomo as a superuser. The global option is available in Matomo 4 or newer.
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Open Administration > Privacy > Anonymize data.
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Enable Force tracking without cookies and save the setting.
This setting affects all sites in the installation. Matomo says it updates JavaScript trackers and makes the server ignore tracking cookies it receives. If you need a site-specific setting, use the tracker method instead. The option and its behavior are documented in Matomo’s global privacy settings guidance.
Configure consent separately in Matomo Tag Manager
If you use Matomo Tag Manager, its configuration variable offers separate choices for disabled cookies, required cookie consent, and required tracking consent. Choose the setting that matches your actual consent policy. Selecting disabled cookies changes cookie behavior; it does not prevent tracking while awaiting consent. Requiring tracking consent is the relevant control when tracking itself must wait. See Matomo’s Tag Manager consent documentation.
Does cookieless Matomo let you remove the consent banner?
There is no universal yes. Matomo says you must assess consent requirements based on your market, location, applicable privacy laws, and configuration. Its consent guidance notes that rules in many European countries can apply to tracking technologies beyond cookies, while some jurisdictions may permit an exemption under specific conditions.
Whether an exemption is available can depend on the data processed and its purpose. Matomo’s guidance about using Matomo without consent cautions that an exemption may not apply where personal data is processed or where data is used for other purposes, such as marketing or advertising. Treat those points as reasons to assess your complete configuration and jurisdiction, not as a universal legal test.
Matomo’s documentation advises: “Before collecting analytics data with Matomo, you must determine whether user consent is required based on your market, location, applicable privacy laws, and how Matomo is configured.” If consent is required before tracking, keep a banner or equivalent consent mechanism even when analytics cookies are disabled. Consult a qualified privacy or legal adviser for your specific circumstances; Matomo’s product documentation is not jurisdiction-specific legal advice.
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What reporting changes when cookies are off?
Cookie-disabled tracking can weaken visitor recognition and affect some reports, but Matomo does not give a universal error percentage. Its cookieless analytics limitations identify these effects:
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Unique Visitors and New vs Returning visitors: these metrics can be inaccurate.
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Goals and Ecommerce: conversions are attributed to the channel used in the converting visit.
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Multi Attribution and Cohort reports: these reports will not show data.
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Other reports: a limited number may also be inaccurate.
Matomo does not say that every report is affected, so evaluate the specific metrics your organization relies on rather than assuming a uniform loss of accuracy.
Check for cookies beyond analytics tracking
Turning off Matomo tracking cookies does not necessarily mean the installation sets no cookies at all. Depending on enabled features and configuration, Matomo lists cookies that may be used for other purposes, including MATOMO_SESSID for security, consent-state cookies, and _pk_testcookie for checking cookie support. Review your actual site behavior and enabled features; the cookie list and explanations are in Matomo’s cookieless tracking FAQ.
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