Consent Management Platforms (or CMPs) are software solutions that enable website or mobile app publishers to easily set up a user interface for collecting user consent. First, these tools display a pop-up window during the first visit to a site. Then, they show the different purposes and data controllers and store user choices. Last, CMPs implement solutions to respect those choices.
It helps websites comply with privacy regulations by providing tools to manage and control the cookies used on their site. Cookies are small files that websites store on a user’s computer to track their activity and preferences. Cookies can personalise experiences, but they also track users without consent, leading to privacy law violations.
Key features of Consent Management Platforms
The Consent Management Platforms or CMPs initially scan a website or app to identify all the technologies (like cookies, pixels, and SDKs) that collect user data. Next, they categorise these technologies based on their purpose, such as analytics, advertising, social media, or personalisation.
When a user visits the website or app for the first time, the CMP displays a clear and concise consent banner. This banner explains what data is being collected, why it’s being collected, and by whom. Furthermore, it provides the user with granular control over their consent choices.
The CMP securely stores and manages user consent preferences. This ensures that user choices are respected across all platforms and touch points. Additionally, the CMP generates reports that provide valuable insights into user consent trends and preferences. This data can be used to improve the consent experience and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations.
CMPs can be a valuable tool for businesses that want to comply with privacy regulations and protect their users’ privacy. However, it is important to choose a CMP that is reputable and has a good track record.
The 4 Benefits of using Consent Management Platforms
- Compliance with data privacy regulations: CMPs help organisations comply with complex data privacy regulations like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act), which require user consent for the collection and use of personal data.
- Improved user experience: CMPs provide users with transparency and control over their data, which can lead to a more positive user experience and increased trust.
- Reduced risk of fines and penalties: Non-compliance with data privacy regulations can result in significant fines and penalties. CMPs help organisations mitigate these risks by ensuring compliance.
- Enhanced data governance: CMPs provide a centralised platform for managing user consent, which can improve data governance and security.
Choosing the right Consent Management Platforms
With the growing number of CMPs available, choosing the right one for your needs can be challenging. Here are some factors to consider:
- The size and complexity of your organisation: Larger organisations with more complex data collection practices may need a more feature-rich CMP.
- The data privacy regulations you need to comply with: Make sure the CMP you choose supports the specific regulations that apply to your organisation.
- Your budget: CMPs vary in price, so it’s important to find one that fits your budget.
- Ease of use: The CMP should be easy for both users and administrators to use.
By understanding what a consent management platform is and how it works, you can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s right for your organisation.
Examples of Consent Management Platforms
Here is a non-exhaustive selection of platforms available on the market:
| CMP Solution | Main Features | URL | Pricing |
| Cookiebot | Automatic cookie scanning, GDPR and ePrivacy compliance, customizable consent banner, consent logging, reporting & analytics | https://www.cookiebot.com | Free for the basic version, from €7/month |
| Didomi | Granular consent management, multi-language support, robust API, TCF v2.0 compliance, easy integration with CRM & CDP | https://www.didomi.io | Customised pricing based on usage |
| iubenda | GDPR-focused consent banner, cookie and privacy policy generator, compliance for GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, and other regulations | https://www.iubenda.com | From €5.99/year |
| Piwik PRO | Privacy-focused analytics suite, GDPR and CCPA compliance, on-premise or EU cloud hosting, cookie consent management | https://piwik.pro | Free for the basic version, chargeable for the enterprise version |
| Usercentrics | Advanced consent banner customization, GDPR/ePrivacy compliance, multi-language support, detailed analytics & reporting | https://www.usercentrics.com | Customised pricing based on usage, from €50/month |
| TrustCommander | European-focused GDPR consent management, ePrivacy compliance, customizable banners, detailed user consent logging | https://www.commandersact.com | Customised pricing based on usage |
| ConsentManager | GDPR-focused consent solutions, customizable banners and privacy policies, multi-language support, automated A/B testing | https://www.consentmanager.net | Free for the basic version, from €19/month |
| Seers | GDPR and ePrivacy-compliant consent management, TCF v2.0 support, cookie scanning, data protection policies | https://www.seersco.com | From £8/month |
| Axeptio | GDPR-focused consent collection, user-friendly widget design, multi-language support, audit-proof consent storage | https://www.axeptio.eu | Free for the basic version, from €29/month |
| Clym | GDPR and ePrivacy compliance, consent tracking and logging, cookie policy customization, multi-platform compatibility | https://www.clym.io | From $49/month |
You can learn more here:
🔎 What is first-party data? Use it to win back your customers’ trust
🔎 New Google consent management requirements for serving ads in the EEA, the UK, and Switzerland (for publishers)
☝ How I wrote this post
As a fractional Marketing Manager I often engage with small to mid-sized companies, mainly from the IT sector. These companies are pure B2B players fully dedicated to their clients and really concerned by their business development. CMPs are therefore really important and I often remind them they have to implement a Consent Management Platform to be GDPR compliant (even outside the EU).
I asked Google Gemini to expand the post framework I uploaded on the AI platform.
