Fact Check: Cookie duration: 1825 (days)

Fact Check: "Cookie duration: 1825 (days)"

What We Know

The claim that cookies can have a duration of 1825 days (which is equivalent to 5 years) is misleading. Cookies, which are small files stored on a user's computer by web browsers, have varying expiration durations depending on how they are set by the website developers.

According to Google's support page, cookies are used to enhance user experience by remembering login states and preferences, but they do not specify a standard duration for cookies. The duration can be set by the website owner, and while some cookies can last for extended periods, they are generally set for much shorter durations.

In affiliate marketing, the default cookie duration is often set to 30 days, as noted in a resource about cookie duration in affiliate marketing (source-2). This means that if a user clicks on an affiliate link, the cookie will track that referral for 30 days. While it is technically possible to set a cookie for a longer duration, such as 90 days or even up to 32000 days (approximately 100 years), there is no standard practice or requirement for a 1825-day duration.

Analysis

The assertion that cookies can last for 1825 days lacks credible support from authoritative sources. The typical cookie duration in most contexts, especially in affiliate marketing, is significantly shorter. For example, the default duration is commonly set to 30 days, with some variations allowing for longer durations, but not typically as long as 5 years (source-2).

Furthermore, while it is possible to set cookies for extended periods, such as 32000 days, this is not a common practice and does not reflect standard usage or recommendations (source-2). The idea that cookies can be set for such long durations may stem from misunderstandings about cookie management and usage in different contexts.

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they come from established platforms like Google and reputable affiliate marketing resources. However, the claim itself does not align with the general practices observed in cookie management.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that cookies can have a duration of 1825 days is misleading and not supported by standard practices in cookie management. While cookies can technically be set for long durations, the typical usage in most contexts, especially in affiliate marketing, is much shorter, commonly around 30 days. There is no widespread practice or requirement for a 5-year cookie duration.