Statcounter
Statcounter is a hosted web analytics service that measures visitor numbers, page views, traffic sources and visitor behaviour. It runs through a JavaScript tag and sets cookies on each visitor browser, so it requires prior consent under EU law and may transfer data outside the EEA.
What does Statcounter do?
What Statcounter is
Statcounter is a hosted web analytics platform that website owners embed to understand how visitors use their site. After you add a small JavaScript snippet to your pages, Statcounter records page views, unique visitors, traffic sources, keywords, visit length and the path each visitor follows through the site. It presents this information in dashboards and reports that help owners measure marketing performance and improve content.
What data and cookies it collects
Statcounter sets cookies in the visitor browser to recognise returning users and to tell unique visitors apart from repeat page loads. Typical cookies include is_unique and sc_is_visitor_unique. Alongside the cookies it processes the visitor IP address, browser and device details, the referring page and the pages viewed. The IP address and these identifiers are personal data under the GDPR because they can single out an individual device and, combined, an individual person.
GDPR and ePrivacy implications
Because Statcounter both reads and writes cookies that are not strictly necessary for the website to work, Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive applies and requires informed consent before those cookies are placed. The subsequent processing of visitor data is then governed by the GDPR. Analytics of this kind is not considered essential, so it cannot rely on legitimate interest in most EU member states once cookies are involved.
Consent requirements
You must obtain freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous consent before the Statcounter tag runs. In practice this means the script should be blocked until the visitor accepts analytics cookies in a consent banner, and the choice to refuse must be as easy as the choice to accept. Consent must be logged so you can demonstrate it, and visitors must be able to withdraw it at any time.
Data transfers outside the EEA
Statcounter is headquartered in Ireland, which keeps much of its operation inside the EU, but data may still be processed on infrastructure located in the United States. Any transfer to the United States must be covered by an appropriate safeguard such as Standard Contractual Clauses or reliance on the EU US Data Privacy Framework. You should confirm the current transfer mechanism in your data processing agreement and disclose the transfer in your privacy notice.
Practical compliance steps
Sign a data processing agreement with Statcounter, block the tag behind a consent management platform, and list the cookies and their purposes in your cookie policy. Configure IP anonymisation where the service allows it, keep retention periods short, and review the transfer safeguards periodically. Document your decisions so you can show an accountable, defensible position if a supervisory authority asks.
Statcounter and the GDPR
Statcounter is classified as “Analytics”. On a site that targets European visitors, it must only load after the visitor consents, and it must be listed in your cookie policy.
- Legal basis
- Consent under Article 6(1)(a) GDPR combined with Article 5(3) ePrivacy Directive for storing and reading cookies
- Risk level
- medium
- Applicable regulations
- GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, national cookie laws
Impact assessment (DPIA)
A full DPIA is usually not mandatory for standard Statcounter use because it does not involve large scale systematic monitoring or special category data. However, a documented assessment is recommended given the cookie based tracking and possible US transfers. Consider visitor volume, retention period, IP processing and the transfer mechanism when deciding whether a DPIA is proportionate.
Sample text for your banner
We use Statcounter to measure how visitors use our website, including page views and traffic sources. This sets analytics cookies and processes your IP address. Do you consent to these analytics cookies?
What Statcounter sets and contacts
- Tracking method
- JavaScript tracking code with first party and third party cookies
- Server location
- Ireland and United States
- Data transferred outside the EU
- Statcounter is operated from Ireland but processing and storage can involve servers in the United States, meaning visitor data may be transferred to a third country outside the EEA. Such transfers rely on Standard Contractual Clauses and the EU US Data Privacy Framework where applicable.
Cookies set (3)
| Name | Type | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| is_unique | Analytics | Session to a few minutes | Marks whether the visit is unique within a session and prevents repeated page loads from being counted as new visits. |
| sc_is_visitor_unique | Analytics | Up to 2 years | Identifies a returning unique visitor across visits for accurate visitor counting. |
| sc_anon_uid | Analytics | Up to 1 year | Stores an anonymised visitor identifier used to attribute repeat sessions to the same browser. |
Third-party domains contacted (3)
statcounter.comc.statcounter.comwww.statcounter.com
Frequently asked questions about Statcounter
Can't find your question? Write to us, we answer fast.
What cookies does Statcounter set?
Statcounter sets analytics cookies such as is_unique and sc_is_visitor_unique. They distinguish unique visitors from repeat page loads and recognise returning visitors so that visitor counts are accurate.
Do I need consent to use Statcounter?
Yes. Statcounter relies on cookies that are not strictly necessary, so under the ePrivacy Directive you must obtain prior, informed consent before the tracking script runs.
What is the legal basis for processing?
The legal basis is the visitor consent under Article 6(1)(a) GDPR, combined with Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive that governs storing and reading cookies on the device.
Does Statcounter transfer data to the US?
Statcounter is based in Ireland, but data may be processed on infrastructure in the United States. Any such transfer must rely on Standard Contractual Clauses or the EU US Data Privacy Framework, which you should confirm and disclose.
Is a DPIA needed for Statcounter?
A full DPIA is usually not mandatory for standard analytics use, but a documented assessment is advisable given the cookie based tracking, IP processing and possible US transfers.
How do I implement Statcounter compliantly?
Block the script behind a consent management platform, sign a data processing agreement, enable IP anonymisation where available, document consent, and list every cookie in your cookie policy.
Are there privacy friendly alternatives?
Yes. Cookieless or self hosted analytics such as Matomo, Plausible or Fathom keep data within the EU and can reduce or remove the need for consent, which may suit a privacy first approach.
How should I update my cookie policy?
List the Statcounter cookies by name, state their purpose and duration, name Statcounter as the third party, and disclose the possible transfer to the United States together with the safeguard used.
Luigi's Box
Luigi's Box is an analytics and measurement platform providing deep insights into digital ecosystem performance. It tracks user interactions, measures campaign effectiveness, and identifies optimization opportunities across web and mobile. Luigi's Box offers customizable dashboards, automated alerts, and data export capabilities. By transforming raw data into actionable intelligence, Luigi's Box empowers organizations to optimize strategy and maximize return on investment.
Wootric
Wootric is a digital analytics solution that helps businesses measure and understand their online performance through comprehensive data collection and analysis. It provides visitor tracking, behavioral insights, and conversion metrics across websites and applications. Wootric supports custom event tracking, audience segmentation, and automated reporting. With intuitive dashboards and visualization tools, Wootric enables informed decisions that improve experience and drive results.
Graphly
Graphly is an analytics and measurement platform providing deep insights into digital ecosystem performance. It tracks user interactions, measures campaign effectiveness, and identifies optimization opportunities across web and mobile. Graphly offers customizable dashboards, automated alerts, and data export capabilities. By transforming raw data into actionable intelligence, Graphly empowers organizations to optimize strategy and maximize return on investment.
%22%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M16.9963%209.73828H15.0474V18.3353H16.9963V9.73828Z%22%20fill%3D%22%23103355%22%20%2F%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M13.4831%2015.2988H11.5352V18.3347H13.4831V15.2988Z%22%20fill%3D%22%23103355%22%20%2F%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M20.509%2012.4863H18.5605V18.3353H20.509V12.4863Z%22%20fill%3D%22%23103355%22%20%2F%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cpath%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20d%3D%22M0.0229492%200.00878906V32.0087H32.0227V0.00878906H0.0229492ZM23.3941%2017.0524C23.3941%2019.8244%2022.08%2021.0844%2019.1894%2021.0844H15.098L9.70028%2026.2595C9.12361%2026.8127%208.65173%2026.6254%208.65173%2025.842V11.0054C8.65173%208.23391%209.96585%206.97398%2012.8564%206.97398H19.1893C22.08%206.97398%2023.394%208.23381%2023.394%2011.0054V17.0524H23.3941Z%22%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20fill%3D%22%23103355%22%20%2F%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%3Cdefs%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3CclipPath%20id%3D%22clip0_3553_5021%22%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Crect%20width%3D%2232%22%20height%3D%2232%22%20fill%3D%22white%22%20%2F%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3C%2FclipPath%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%3C%2Fdefs%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Pinpoll
Pinpoll is a digital analytics solution that helps businesses measure and understand their online performance through comprehensive data collection and analysis. It provides visitor tracking, behavioral insights, and conversion metrics across websites and applications. Pinpoll supports custom event tracking, audience segmentation, and automated reporting. With intuitive dashboards and visualization tools, Pinpoll enables informed decisions that improve experience and drive results.
CaliberMind
CaliberMind is an analytics and measurement platform providing deep insights into digital ecosystem performance. It tracks user interactions, measures campaign effectiveness, and identifies optimization opportunities across web and mobile. CaliberMind offers customizable dashboards, automated alerts, and data export capabilities. By transforming raw data into actionable intelligence, CaliberMind empowers organizations to optimize strategy and maximize return on investment.
Crazy Egg
Crazy Egg is an analytics and measurement platform providing deep insights into digital ecosystem performance. It tracks user interactions, measures campaign effectiveness, and identifies optimization opportunities across web and mobile. Crazy Egg offers customizable dashboards, automated alerts, and data export capabilities. By transforming raw data into actionable intelligence, Crazy Egg empowers organizations to optimize strategy and maximize return on investment.
Make your site compliant today.
Free up to 25,000 sessions a month. No credit card, no commitment.