Persist data layer - Visitor Duration

[audrey_poulin]

When creating a persist data layer extension to store something in a cookie, how long does the Visitor duration actually last?

From training notes, I had noted that it lasts 1 year. My question is, does the cookie "timer" reset every time the visitor loads Tealium, or is the 1-year timer set from the first time the cookie is created and the timer expires after 1 year?

Also, does the timer only reset if the Update is set to "Update on Page View" but not when it is on "Keep First Value" or is that not an issue?

My broader question is therefore, if I set something in a cookie as a Visitor duration, will this cookie go back to "undefined" in a year's time, or does this "year" timer reset every time the visitor comes back to my site?

[adrian_browning · Accepted solution]

Hi @audrey_poulin

So the expires for a "visitor" duration is Thu, 31 Dec 2099 00:00:00 GMT.

Our definition of this is 

The data remains in the cookie until the visitor deletes the cookie.

https://community.tealiumiq.com/t5/Tealium-iQ/Persist-Data-Value-Extension/m-p/1075

> From training notes, I had noted that it lasts 1 year. My question is, does the cookie "timer" reset every time the visitor loads Tealium, or is the 1-year timer set from the first time the cookie is created and the timer expires after 1 year?

The cookie expiry is updated every time there is a change to the cookie. ("Allow Update on Page view") Unless you select the option where the cookie isn't updated after the first value ("Keep first value set").

> Also, does the timer only reset if the Update is set to "Update on Page View" but not when it is on "Keep First Value" or is that not an issue?

With all the cookies we set, using the persist extension, the "timer" always get reset to a future point, when the value is updated.

If you wanted more granular control over the cookies that you set, I would recommend using the utag.loader.SC() function. This allows you more control over the expiration than the standard persist function.

> My broader question is therefore, if I set something in a cookie as a Visitor duration, will this cookie go back to "undefined" in a year's time, or does this "year" timer reset every time the visitor comes back to my site?

If the visitor to the site doesn't come back within the time frame, then the cookie will be removed.

So what this "timer" will do is let the cookie expire. And when that happens the browser will remove the cookie. So if you do try to read this cookie, you will get the standard, undefined, as it no longer exists.

Adrian

[audrey_poulin]

Thank you, that answers all my questions! :)