Piwik PRO: measure without cookies and without session hash
Requirements
Access to the Piwik PRO data collection and consent settings as well as a test page for network control.
Piwik PRO allows anonymous data collection without visitor cookies. In addition, the session hash can be switched off. This hash is otherwise based on, among other things, IP address, operating system and browser characteristics. If cookies and session hash are off, each event is treated as a new session.
Check after the change
Check browser memory and network requests and also view web server, proxy, application and provider logs separately. A single product setting does not automatically cover the entire processing chain.
Basics of visitor recognition
For classification purposes, Cookieless is not automatically tracking-free and Use unique visitors without recognition . What is important is not just the presence of cookies, but also whether requests are merged via sessions, hashes, local storage or other features.
Reset
If the reduced configuration affects a required function, restore only the relevant setting and then recheck data flow, storage, retention and third-party connections.
Related guides
Sources and verification
This guide is based on multiple current sources. Vendor documentation is not treated as proof that every concrete installation automatically follows the same privacy characteristics.
Important: IP processing is not IP storage
An IP address has to be processed to establish and deliver a network connection. Hosting providers, firewalls or DDoS protection may also process or retain it for a limited time for security purposes. No Logging distinguishes this security layer from unnecessary persistent visitor logging by the website, application and ordinary access logs.