1. Consent defaults
Choose the site language. Optional analytics, marketing, and preference categories start denied for EEA opt-in use.
Documentation
From activation to a reviewed consent workflow.
ACookies remains inactive on a fresh install. The setup flow lets an administrator choose what to enable before the public site changes or an external scan starts.
2. Managed scanner
Read and accept the scanner data terms. Every paid tier includes one managed scan per site per UTC day of up to 500 public pages. Activate your license and accept scanner terms before scanning.
3. Review findings
Review categories and descriptions. Scanner and AI output are suggestions, not automatic legal conclusions. A completed free generator scan can be imported with its seven-day code after scanner opt-in.
4. Script rules
Match a WordPress script handle or part of a script URL to analytics, marketing, or preferences. Unknown inline scripts are reported rather than broadly rewritten.
5. Policy and banner
Create a Cookie Policy page with the ACookies block, preview the balanced choices, and activate only when the configuration is ready.
6. Verify
Test accept, reject, customize, withdrawal, Google Tag Assistant, mobile keyboard navigation, and a new private-browser session.
Managed script rule format.
Add one rule per line in Settings. Examples:
handle:my-analytics|analytics
src:connect.facebook.net|marketingA rule can delay a registered external script. It cannot safely neutralize every hardcoded inline script or iframe, so those require manual integration and verification.
Google consent setup.
Configure direct Google tags or the native GTM adapter, choose basic or advanced mode, and verify defaults, saved choices and withdrawal.
Advanced standalone GTM integration
Advanced manual integration for developers with an existing GTM container. You identify cookies, maintain the policy and configure tags yourself. No scanning, managed cookie inventory, hosted dashboard or hosted consent logs. For WordPress, use the plugin and its Google setup guide above.
Install and activate your license.
Choose a plan on the pricing page. Download the Premium package from Freemius, upload its ZIP through Plugins → Add New in WordPress, and activate your license in ACookies Account. Then complete setup. Existing settings and consent records are preserved when upgrading.