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_gcl_gs

Set by Google's Consent Mode v2 to store the timestamp of a Google Ads click when ad-storage consent has been granted. Used together with _gcl_gf to reconstruct attribution once the visitor consents.

Provider
Google AdsSee all Google Ads cookies →
Expiry

90 days

Set by

Google LLC

Category
AdvertisingSee all advertising cookies →

GDPR & ePrivacy guidance

_gcl_gs is a advertising cookie. Under Art. 5(3) ePrivacy Directive and the GDPR, it must not be set before the visitor has given prior, informed, freely-given consent.

If your scanner finds _gcl_gs on a page beforethe visitor interacts with your consent banner, that's a violation — the cookie loaded without a legal basis.

Fix: gate the script that sets this cookie behind your CMP, so it only fires after the relevant consent category is accepted.

Related cookies

_gcl_auAdvertising

Google Ads

_gcl_awAdvertising

Google Ads

_gcl_dcAdvertising

Google Ads

_gcl_gfAdvertising

Google Ads

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Run a free CookieSentry scan to find every cookie set before consent — including _gcl_gs — and get a downloadable evidence PDF.

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