Google's Cookies for Auth, Ads, Analytics Detailed

Google maintains an extensive array of cookies across its services to support authentication, advertising personalization, analytics, and user preferences, as detailed in comprehensive listings of their functions and durations.

These cookies, set primarily through Google services like Search, YouTube, and AdSense, serve multiple purposes. Authentication-related cookies, such as __Host3PLSID, __SecureOSID, __HostGAPS, __Host1PLSID, OSID, LSID, LSOLH, SMSV, ACCOUNT_CHOOSER, and G_AUTHUSER_H, enable users to sign in with their Google accounts and maintain sessions. Many persist for up to one year, while others last only for the session.

Advertising and personalization dominate the list. Cookies like NID, DV, SNID, GN_PREF, AID, SID, SAPISID, APISID, HSID, SSID, and SIDCC allow downloading Google tools, saving preferences such as search results per page or SafeSearch settings, and adjusting ads in Google Search. Durations range from six months to two years. Additional trackers, including _gcl_au, _gcl_dc, FPGCLDC, gcl, gac, TAID, _dcid, AdID, and DSID, help advertisers measure user actions after ad clicks, experiment with ad efficiency, link activity across devices, and optimize...