Have you shared personal information on a website that uses third-party tools?

Every time you visit a website, you leave behind part of your digital footprint. That can include pages you viewed, links you clicked, purchases you made, or forms you submitted. Some websites use third-party tracking tools to collect this activity and send information to advertising or analytics companies.

What is a Tracking Pixel?

A tracking pixel is a tiny, usually invisible piece of code placed on a website, ad, or email. When it loads, it can report activity such as page views, clicks, purchases, email opens, or form submissions.

Companies often use pixels to measure how well ads are working or to show people ads based on websites they previously visited.

Why Companies Value Pixel Tracking

Companies value this information because it helps them understand how people interact with websites and advertisements.

There are two common types of tracking pixels: conversion and retargeting.

• Conversion pixels help measure whether a marketing campaign led someone to complete an action, such as making a purchase or reaching a “thank you” page.

• Retargeting pixels operate more like browser cookies. They can help companies recognize that a browser previously visited a website, making it possible to show that person related advertising later.

How Are Pixels Different From Cookies?

Pixels and cookies often work together, but they do different things.

Pixels:

• Track online activity such as page views, clicks, purchases, and ad interactions

• Commonly used for advertising measurement and analytics

• Send information to a server when the pixel loads

• Can be difficult for users to see and identify online since they work in the background

Cookies:

• Remember information such as logins, preferences, shopping carts, or advertising identifiers

• Commonly used to remember information about a browser or user

• Store information in user's browser

• Oftentimes can be managed by user through browser or website cookie settings

A pixel may report what happened, while a cookie can help connect that activity to the same browser over time.

That is why the bigger question is not simply whether a website uses tracking. It is: What information is being collected, who receives it, and whether users know it is happening?

What If My Personal Information Was Shared Online Using Pixels?

If you shared personal information on a website and are concerned it may have been tracked or shared, you can seek legal representation.