
The cookieless future is here, and it’s time to start thinking about how you will adapt your strategies to this new reality. In a cookieless world, you will need to find new ways to identify and track users across devices. This will require reliance on first-party data, contextual advertising, and alternative identifiers that respect user privacy.
To shed light on this topic, we hosted a panel discussion at Cannes, featuring industry leaders from Cint, Direct Digital Holdings, the IAB, MiQ, Tatari, and Experian.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the future of identity in cookieless advertising. We’ll discuss the challenges and opportunities that this new era presents, and we’ll offer our tips for how to stay ahead of the curve.
How cookieless advertising is evolving
Programmatic advertising is experiencing multiple changes. Let’s dive into three key things you should know.
Cookie deprecation
One significant change is cookie deprecation, which has implications for tracking and targeting. Additionally, understanding the concept of Return on Advertising Spend (ROAS) is becoming increasingly crucial.
The demand and supply-side are coming closer together
Demand-side platforms (DSPs) and supply-side platforms (SSPs) have traditionally been seen as two separate entities. DSPs are used by advertisers to buy ad space, while SSPs are used by publishers to sell ad space. However, in recent years, there has been a trend toward the two sides coming closer together.
This is due to three key factors:
The rise of header bidding
Header bidding is a process where publishers sell their ad space to multiple buyers in a single auction. This allows publishers to get the best possible price for their ad space, and it also allows advertisers to target their ads more effectively.
Cookie deprecation
As third-party cookies are phased out, advertisers need to find new ways to track users, and they are turning to SSPs for help. SSPs can provide advertisers with data about users, such as their demographics and interests. This data can be used to target ads more effectively.
The increasing importance of data
Advertisers are increasingly looking for ways to target their ads more effectively, and they need data to do this. SSPs have access to a wealth of user data, and they’re willing to share this data with advertisers. This is helping to bridge the gap between the two sides.
The trend toward the demand-side and supply-side coming closer together is good news for advertisers and publishers. It means that they can work together to deliver more relevant ads to their users.
Measuring and tracking diverse types of media
The media measurement landscape is rapidly evolving to accommodate new types of media, such as digital out-of-home (DOOH). With ad inventory expanding comes the challenge of establishing identities and connecting them with what advertisers and agencies want to track.
Measurement providers are now being asked to accurately capture instances when individuals are exposed to advertisements at a bus stop in New York City, for example, and tracking their journey and purchase decisions, such as buying a Pepsi.
To navigate cookieless advertising and measurement, we must prioritize building a strong foundational identity framework.
What you should focus on in a cookieless advertising era
In a cookieless advertising era, you will need to focus on two key things: frequency capping and authentic identity.
Frequency capping
Frequency capping is a practice of limiting the number of times an ad is shown to a user. This is important in cookieless advertising because it helps to prevent users from being bombarded with ads. It also helps to ensure that ads are more effective, as users are less likely to ignore or click on ads that they have seen too many times.
Frequency capping is often overhyped and yet overlooked. Instead of solely focusing on frequency, consider approaching it from an identity perspective. One solution could be to achieve a perfect balance between reaching a wider audience and avoiding excessive repetition. By increasing reach in every programmatic buy, you naturally mitigate frequency control concerns.
Authentic identity
The need for authentic identities in a digital and programmatic ecosystem is undeniable. While we explore ways to connect cookies, mobile ads, and other elements, it’s crucial to remember who we are as real individuals. By using anonymized personal identifying information (PII) as a foundation, we can derive insights about households and individuals and set effective frequency caps across different channels.
Don’t solely focus on devices and behaviors in your cookieless advertising strategy and remember the true value of people and their identities.
What’s next for cookieless advertising?
The deprecation of third-party cookies is a major challenge for the digital advertising industry. Advertisers will need to find new ways to track users and target their ads.
Here are three specific trends that we can expect to see in cookieless advertising.
First-party data is moving in-house
Many major media companies, equipped with valuable identifier and first-party data, are choosing to bring it in-house. They are focused on using their data internally rather than sharing it externally.
“Many larger media companies are opting to bring their identifier and first-party data in-house, creating more walled gardens. It seems that companies are prioritizing data control within their own walls instead of sharing it externally.”
laura manning, svp, measurement, cint
Fragmentation will continue
The number of identifiers used to track people online is growing rapidly. In an average household, over a 60-day period, there are 22 different identifiers present. This number is only going to increase as we move away from cookies and toward other identifiers.
This fragmentation makes it difficult to track people accurately and deliver targeted advertising. This means that we need new identity solutions that can help make sense of these new identifiers and provide a more accurate view of people.
A portfolio of solutions will address signal loss
Advertisers are taking a variety of approaches to cookieless advertising. A few of the solutions include:
- Working with alternative IDs.This refers to using alternative identifiers to cookies, such as mobile device IDs or email addresses. These identifiers can be used to track people across different websites and devices, even without cookies.
- Working with data index at a geo level. This refers to using data from a third-party provider to get a better understanding of people’s location. This information can be used to target ads more effectively.
- Working with publisher first-party data that’s been aggregated to a cohort level. This refers to using data that is collected directly from publishers, such as website traffic data or purchase history. This data can be used to create more personalized ads.
- Working with contextual solutions. This refers to using contextual data, such as the content of a website or the weather, to target ads. This can help to ensure that ads are relevant to the user’s interests.
“Cookie deprecation is often exaggerated, and alternate solutions are already emerging. As data moves closer to publishers and first-party data gains prominence, the industry will adapt to the changes.”
mark walker, ceo, direct digital holdings
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for cookies, and you will need to be flexible and adopt a variety of different approaches.
How will these solutions work together?
You can take a waterfall approach to cookieless advertising. A waterfall approach is a process where advertisers bid on ad impressions in sequential order. The first advertiser to meet the minimum bid price wins the impression.
In the context of cookieless advertising, a waterfall approach can be used to prioritize different targeting signals. For example, you might start by bidding on impressions that have a Ramp ID, then move on to impressions that have a geo-contextual signal, and finally bid on impressions that have no signal at all.
This is a flexible approach that can be adapted to different needs and budgets.
Watch our Cannes panel for more on cookieless advertising

We hosted a panel in Cannes that covered the future of identity in cookieless advertising. Check out the full recording below to hear what leaders from Cint, Direct Digital Holdings, the IAB, MiQ, Tatari, and Experian had to say.
Check out more Cannes content:
- Our key takeaways from Cannes Lions 2023
- Insights from a first-time attendee
- Four new marketing strategies for 2023
- Exploring the opportunities in streaming TV advertising
- Maximize ad targeting with supply-side advertising
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As Earth Day approaches, it’s the perfect opportunity for marketers to explore innovative ways to engage with eco-conscious customers. With a strong and growing interest in sustainable business practices worldwide, green audiences are becoming increasingly influential. In addition to being good for the planet, engaging these customers is great for any brand or organization striving to become more eco-friendly and socially responsible. By taking advantage of this timely event and using appropriate tools, you can create personalized campaigns that will both promote your brand and increase customer loyalty. Eco-conscious audiences In this blog post, we'll cover three eco-conscious audiences to target this Earth Day: Solar energy GreenAwareTM Electric vehicles Solar energy Our first eco-conscious audience is Solar energy. Consumers in this audience show an inclination toward harnessing the power of the sun as a clean, renewable energy source. Our audience data can provide valuable insights into the Solar energy consumer base, including their age, education level, occupation, household income, and communication preferences. Let's explore these metrics to better understand how to reach this group effectively. Age and living situation Consumers in our Solar energy audience are more likely to live in a home with two or more adults and are between the ages of 45-74. Education level and occupation Consumers in our Solar energy audience are more likely to have graduated from college or graduate school and work in management-level occupations. Household income Consumers in our Solar energy audience have household incomes of more than $75,000 and their homes are valued at over $550,000. Preferred engagement channels Consumers in our Solar energy audience are most receptive to ads served through digital channels like digital newspapers and email. Solar energy audience pairings Consumers in our Solar energy audience also belong to three of our Mosaic® USA groups: Power Elite Flourishing Families Booming with Confidence Our consumer segmentation portal of 126 million households and 650 lifestyle and interest attributes empowers marketers like you to precisely target your ideal audience and communicate with them on a personal level. Mosaic’s data segments the U.S. into 19 overarching groups and 71 underlying types, giving you the insights needed to anticipate the behavior, attitudes, and preferences of your most profitable customers and communicate with them on their preferred channels, with messaging that resonates. Learn more about Mosaic GreenAware Our second eco-conscious audience is GreenAware. GreenAware segments the 126 million U.S. households within Consumer View into four distinct groups. Each group differs in their attitudes and behaviors toward purchasing products that are environmentally safe and working with companies that are eco-conscious. We created these groups using an enhanced application of traditional statistical clustering techniques based on environmentally relevant measurements in Simmons' National Consumer Study. Based on the distinctive mindset of consumers toward the environment, you can learn how environmental concerns fit into their lives through four major consumer segments: Eco-Friendly Enthusiasts Sustainable Spectators Passive Greenies Eco Critics Let's dive deeper into each group to understand their unique perspective on the environment and how this impacts their attitudes and behaviors. Eco-Friendly Enthusiasts This eco-conscious segment prioritizes a green lifestyle and takes pride in avoiding products that harm the planet. With traditional and liberal values, they embrace optimism and prioritize family. With their children out of the house, they take the time for some well-deserved rejuvenation and are committed to a healthy lifestyle. Some members of this group are transitioning into retirement and welcoming a new chapter in their life. Mature adults and retirees College graduate or more Above average income May be married or single Typically own their homes Sustainable Spectators This segment aspires to be more sustainable, but they struggle with translating their green ideas into action. They have a soft spot for a cozy home. While their love for interior design and taking care of their own space is evident, they're always looking for new experiences and opportunities to learn. Staying healthy and active is a top priority for this group, so it's no surprise that they're always looking for ways to stay fit and feel their best. Established and mid-life adults College graduate or more High income Typically married Likely to own their homes Passive Greenies This is the largest and one of the most youthful groups. Known for their love of exploration and self-discovery, they may not have fully embraced eco-conscious behaviors yet, but they are eager to stay current with the latest technology and trends. With their incredible ability to multitask, they're always on-the-go, and constantly seek the next best thing. Mainly young adults and diverse Education ranges from high school through some college Below average income More likely to be single or divorced Typically rent Eco Critics This group is not likely to be eco-conscious and may have negative attitudes about the environment. They are confident, driven, and focused on their personal growth. They crave instant gratification, seeking out quick and easy solutions to their everyday decisions. They place a high value on entertainment, their social life, and carefully curate their image. Young and established adults Education ranges from high school through post-graduate studies High income Married or single Typically own their homes Let's take a look at how the GreenAware segments stack up against each other in terms of age, household income, education level, and media preference. How do they compare? Let's find out. Age Consumers in the Eco-Friendly Enthusiasts segment are the oldest of the four GreenAware segments – about half of the consumers are 65 or older. Eco Critics are the youngest segment, with over half of consumers in this group between ages 25-44. Household income Sustainable Spectators and Eco Critics are the wealthiest GreenAware segments. The average household income of consumers in these segments is above $100,000. Passive Greenies have the lowest household income, with a majority below $50,000. Education level and occupation Passive Greenies are more likely to work Blue Collar jobs and have the lowest level of education. As the wealthiest segments, Sustainable Spectators and Eco Critics have the highest levels of college degrees and work in management, business, and financial operations. Eco-Friendly Enthusiasts are the most likely to be retired and out of the workforce. Preferred engagement channels Streaming TV is the preferred engagement channel for all GreenAware segments. Eco-Friendly Enthusiasts prefer digital channels like digital newspapers, mobile SMS, and email. They also engage with traditional channels like direct mail and newspaper. Passive Greenies have a high preference for digital display, mobile SMS, digital video, broadcast cable TV, and radio. Eco Critics have a high preference for digital channels like digital newspapers, mobile SMS, and digital display. Sustainable Spectators strongly prefer digital newspapers. 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As EVs become more prominent, it's essential to stay up to date on relevant trends to make informed decisions about what lies ahead. The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is on the rise Consumers are embracing the EV revolution, showing their desire for a cleaner, greener future. Automotive marketers are increasingly looking to reach in-market EV shoppers and current alternative fuel vehicle owners due to the growing availability of electric vehicles, improved infrastructure, and rising popularity. In 2022, EVs charged up the market and accounted for a remarkable 6% of new retail registrations. While Tesla continues to dominate the EV market, Ford, Chevrolet, and Hyundai are starting to compete, each holding more than 3% of the market share of new retail EV registrations. Geography Where are we seeing the most new retail EV registrations? 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