> How FACT Finder uses cookies and profiling, the consent required, hosting in Germany, and how to use FACT Finder in a GDPR compliant way. > > Canonical: https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/ecommerce/fact-finder E-commerce # FACT Finder Analytics · [Official website](https://fact-finder.com) FACT Finder is a German e-commerce search, merchandising, and personalization platform widely used in the DACH region. It powers smart search, navigation, and product recommendations, and to personalise results it tracks search and click behaviour and stores a visitor identifier through cookies. Operated from Germany, core processing stays in the EU, but the behavioural personalization uses non essential cookies, so it requires prior consent under the GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive. [Block FACT Finder until consent](https://app.flowconsent.com/auth/sign-up?utm_source=flowconsent.com\&utm_medium=referral\&utm_campaign=ecommerce) · [Scan my site](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/scan) At a glance - Category [E-commerce](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/ecommerce) - Consent Analytics - Prior consent Required - Documented cookies 3 - Third-party domains 3 - Servers Germany and European Union (FACT Finder GmbH); confirm hosting region and subprocessors Overview ## What does FACT Finder do? ## **What FACT Finder is** FACT Finder is an e commerce search and merchandising platform operated by FACT Finder GmbH in Germany, popular with online retailers across the DACH region and Europe. It provides AI assisted search, guided navigation, and personalised recommendations that adapt to shopper behaviour. Adding FACT Finder loads scripts that observe search and browsing and store cookies in the visitor browser. ## **What data and cookies FACT Finder collects** FACT Finder processes search queries, clicks, products viewed and purchased, and a persistent visitor identifier used to personalise results, along with technical data such as IP address and device. It builds a behavioural profile so that search and recommendations adapt to each shopper. When you pass order or customer data for analytics, that is also processed. ## **GDPR and ePrivacy implications** Strictly necessary search can often run on functional storage, but the personalization relies on behavioural profiling with non essential cookies, so the ePrivacy Directive requires prior consent and the GDPR requires a lawful basis and transparency. Profiling that shapes what each shopper sees should be explained clearly. FACT Finder acts as your processor, so a data processing agreement is required. ## **When consent is required** Obtain prior, opt in consent before the personalization cookies are set and profiling begins, and block those scripts behind your consent banner. You can offer non personalised search to visitors who decline so the core function remains available. Make consent specific and easy to withdraw. ## **Data transfers outside the EU** FACT Finder GmbH is based in Germany, within the European Union, so core processing remains in the EU and a third country transfer is usually avoided. Confirm the hosting region and whether any subprocessors operate outside the EU, applying Standard Contractual Clauses and a transfer impact assessment if they do. Record the data locations in your documentation. ## **Practical compliance steps** To use FACT Finder compliantly, gate the personalization behind consent, offer non personalised search as a fallback, and sign a data processing agreement. Confirm the EU hosting, minimise the customer data you share, and set retention limits for behavioural profiles. List FACT Finder in your cookie policy and privacy notice and review its subprocessors periodically. Compliance ## FACT Finder and the GDPR FACT Finder 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 (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) for personalization cookies and behavioural profiling; legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) for strictly necessary search - Risk level medium - Applicable regulations GDPR, ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law) ### Impact assessment (DPIA) FACT Finder profiles shopper behaviour to personalise search and recommendations, which is profiling under the GDPR and shapes its risk profile, though EU hosting reduces transfer risk. Key DPIA points: (1) persistent visitor identifiers and behavioural profiling that influence what each shopper sees; (2) collection of search, browsing, and purchase data that reveals preferences; (3) non essential cookies that require consent before profiling; (4) EU hosting that keeps data in the EU, with any non EU subprocessor needing safeguards; (5) the need for a data processing agreement, a non personalised fallback, and retention limits. A DPIA is advisable for large catalogues or detailed personalisation. ### Sample text for your banner > We use FACT Finder to power search and personalised product recommendations. With your consent, FACT Finder sets cookies and records your searches, clicks, and purchases to tailor results to you. FACT Finder is operated from Germany and acts as our processor. You can withdraw your consent at any time via our cookie settings, and search will still work without personalisation. Cookies and trackers ## What FACT Finder sets and contacts - Tracking method E commerce search and merchandising scripts with behavioural personalization and cookies - Server location Germany and European Union (FACT Finder GmbH); confirm hosting region and subprocessors ### Cookies set (3) | Name | Type | Duration | Purpose | | -------------------- | --------------- | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | fact-finder-session | Functional | Session | Maintains the search session and keeps search state consistent during a visit. | | fact-finder-uid | Personalization | 1 year | Stores a persistent visitor identifier used to personalise search results and recommendations. | | fact-finder-tracking | Personalization | 1 year | Records search and click behaviour used to build a profile and tailor results. | ### Third-party domains contacted (3) - `fact-finder.com` - `fact-finder.de` - `cdn.fact-finder.com` Questions ## Frequently asked questions about FACT Finder Can't find your question? Write to us, we answer fast. [Write to us](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/demo) ### What cookies does FACT Finder set? FACT Finder sets a functional cookie to run a search session and personalization cookies that store a visitor identifier and record search and browsing behaviour. The personalization cookies are not strictly necessary and require consent. Basic, non personalised search can run with only functional cookies. ### Do I need consent to use FACT Finder? Yes for the personalization features, because they set non essential cookies and profile behaviour. Obtain prior, opt in consent before profiling begins, and consider offering non personalised search to those who decline. ### What is the legal basis for FACT Finder? Behavioural profiling and personalization rely on consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) and the ePrivacy Directive. Strictly necessary search functionality can rely on legitimate interest, but the tracking that personalises results needs consent. ### Does FACT Finder transfer data to the US? Usually not. FACT Finder GmbH is based in Germany, so core processing stays in the EU. Confirm the hosting region and whether any subprocessors are outside the EU, and apply Standard Contractual Clauses and a transfer impact assessment if they are. ### Is a DPIA needed for FACT Finder? A DPIA is advisable because FACT Finder profiles shopper behaviour to personalise results. Assess the persistent identifiers, the search and purchase data, the hosting location, and your retention periods. EU hosting lowers the transfer risk. ### How do I implement FACT Finder compliantly? Block the personalization scripts behind your consent banner, offer non personalised search as a fallback, sign a data processing agreement, and confirm the EU hosting. Minimise shared customer data, set retention limits, and document FACT Finder in your cookie policy and privacy notice. ### Are there alternatives to FACT Finder? Yes. Self hosted search engines such as Typesense or Meilisearch, or other EU based search providers, can deliver search with less behavioural profiling. They reduce cookies and tracking, though advanced merchandising may need more configuration. ### How do I update my cookie policy for FACT Finder? Add a FACT Finder entry listing its functional and personalization cookies, their purposes and durations, the fact that it profiles search behaviour, and that data is processed in Germany. Link to FACT Finder''s privacy notice and review the entry when its cookies or subprocessors change. 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