MaxtDesign Cookie Consent – Google Consent Mode v2

Free cookie consent that actually controls Google Analytics & Ads (not just a banner). 10x lighter than $50/month alternatives. GDPR/CCPA.

Author:	MaxtDesign (profile at wordpress.org)
WordPress version required:	5.8
WordPress version tested:	6.9.1
Plugin version:	1.7.3
Added to WordPress repository:	03-12-2025
Last updated:	28-02-2026
Rating, %:	100
Rated by:	1
Plugin URI:	https://wordpress.org/plugins/maxtdesign-cook...
Total downloads:	490
Active installs:	20+
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The MaxtDesign Cookie Consent Manager That Actually Works

Most WordPress consent plugins either don’t actually control tracking (they just show a form) or they’re so bloated they slow down your site significantly. MaxtDesign Cookie Consent is different: proper Google Consent Mode v2 implementation in under 10KB.

Why This Plugin?

For Site Owners:
You need CCPA/GDPR compliance but don’t want to sacrifice site performance or deal with complex configuration.

For Developers:
You want clean, efficient code that follows WordPress standards and doesn’t conflict with other plugins.

For Agencies:
You manage multiple client sites and need a reliable, lightweight solution that just works.

Key Features

✓ Actually Controls Tracking
Unlike “checkbox theater” plugins that only show forms, this plugin properly implements Google Consent Mode v2, ensuring GA4 and Google Ads respect user choices.

✓ Blazing Fast (<10KB)
Zero performance overhead. No database queries during page load. Pure localStorage-based consent management.

✓ Three Style Presets
Choose from Minimal, Modern, or Bold popup styles. Customize colors to match your brand.

✓ Works Everywhere
Compatible with any theme. Works with Elementor (optional). Mobile responsive. Accessibility compliant (WCAG 2.1 AA).

✓ Developer-Friendly
Clean code following WordPress standards. Two shortcodes for easy integration. No jQuery dependency. Vanilla JavaScript.

✓ Privacy-First
No server-side user tracking. No external API calls. User consent stored locally. GDPR/CCPA compliant by design.

What is Google Consent Mode v2?

Google Consent Mode v2 (GCM v2) became mandatory in March 2024 for GA4 and Google Ads in the EU. It’s Google’s framework for managing user consent signals across their advertising and analytics products.

This plugin implements all four required consent types:

analytics_storage – Google Analytics cookies
ad_storage – Advertising cookies
ad_user_data – User data for advertising
ad_personalization – Personalized advertising

Without proper GCM v2 implementation, your GA4 and Google Ads tracking may be unreliable or non-compliant.

How It Works

Visitor arrives Consent popup appears (customizable position, style, timing)
User chooses Three options: Accept All, Analytics Only, or Decline All
Consent stored User choice saved in localStorage (privacy-friendly, no server tracking)
GCM signals updated Google Analytics and Ads respect the user’s choice immediately
No repeat popup Cookie remembers they’ve seen popup (configurable duration)

Popup Customization

Style Presets:
* Minimal – Clean and subtle
* Modern – Rounded and polished
* Bold – Strong and prominent

Position Options:
* Top banner
* Bottom banner
* Center modal

Animation Options:
* Slide in
* Fade in
* No animation

Color Customization:
Primary color picker to match your brand

Shortcodes

Display Current Status:

[mdcc_consent_status]

Shows consent chips: “Analytics: On/Off” and “Ads: On/Off”

Manage Consent Interface:

[mdcc_manage_consent title="Your Privacy Choices"]

Full consent management with Accept/Analytics/Decline buttons and current status display.

Both shortcodes update in real-time when consent changes.

Optional Elementor Integration

Prefer to use a custom Elementor popup? Simply enter your Elementor Popup ID in settings, and the plugin will use your custom popup instead while maintaining proper GCM v2 functionality.

Technical Specifications

Size: <10KB total (CSS + JS combined, gzipped)
Performance: Zero database queries during page load
Storage: localStorage-based (no server-side user tracking)
Dependencies: None (vanilla JavaScript, no jQuery)
Compatibility: WordPress 5.8+, PHP 7.4+
Standards: WCAG 2.1 AA accessible, mobile responsive

Perfect For

WordPress sites using GA4 or Google Ads
CCPA/GDPR compliance requirements
Performance-conscious developers
Agency client sites needing scalable consent management
Anyone tired of bloated consent plugins

What This Plugin Doesn’t Do

Not a cookie scanner – Doesn’t automatically detect all cookies on your site
Not a full compliance suite – Focuses on consent management for Google tracking
Not multi-platform tracking – Free version handles GA4/Ads only (Pro version coming with Facebook, Hotjar, etc.)

For comprehensive cookie auditing and multi-platform tracking control, consider our Pro version (launching 2025).

Coming in Pro Version

Facebook Pixel control
Hotjar tracking control
LinkedIn Insight Tag
TikTok Pixel
Custom script control
Consent analytics dashboard
Geolocation-based prompts
White-label mode for agencies

Privacy Policy

MaxtDesign Cookie Consent does not collect, store, or transmit any user data. All consent preferences are stored locally in the user’s browser using localStorage. No information is sent to external servers.

However, this plugin manages consent for third-party services (Google Analytics, Google Ads). Those services have their own privacy policies:

Google Analytics Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Google Ads Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads

It is your responsibility to include appropriate disclosures in your site’s privacy policy about the tracking services you use.

Support

For support, please use the WordPress.org support forum.

Credits

Developed by MaxtDesign – https://maxtdesign.com

Special thanks to the WordPress community for feedback and testing.

Screenshots
FAQ

What is Google Consent Mode v2?

Google Consent Mode v2 is Google’s framework for managing user consent across their advertising and analytics products. It became mandatory in March 2024 for sites using GA4 or Google Ads in the EU.

This plugin properly implements all four required consent types: analytics_storage, ad_storage, ad_user_data, and ad_personalization.

Does this plugin scan for cookies automatically?

No. This plugin manages consent for Google Analytics and Google Ads tracking. It doesn’t automatically detect other cookies on your site.

If you need comprehensive cookie scanning and declaration, consider a full compliance suite like Complianz or CookieYes.

Where is consent data stored?

User consent choices are stored in their browser’s localStorage. Nothing is stored on your server or sent to external services. This is the most privacy-friendly approach.

Does this work with Google Tag Manager?

Yes! The plugin updates Google Consent Mode signals that GTM respects. Your GA4 and Google Ads tags in GTM will automatically respect user consent choices.

Does this plugin actually block Google Analytics and Ads tracking?

Yes! As of version 1.7.1, the plugin properly implements Google Consent Mode v2 with correct timing.

How it works:

Before any tracking loads: The plugin injects gtag('consent', 'default', {...}) in your page <head> with all consent set to ‘denied’
GTM/GA4 loads: These scripts respect the ‘denied’ consent state and don’t track
User makes choice: When user clicks “Accept All”, “Analytics Only”, or “Decline All”
Consent updates: Plugin calls gtag('consent', 'update', {...}) with the user’s choice
Tracking fires: Only if user granted consent

For Google Tag Manager users:

Simply install your GTM snippet as normal (in <head> as Google instructs). Our plugin handles the consent signaling automatically. Your GTM tags will respect the consent state.

Admin Control:

The default consent injection is enabled by default but can be disabled in Settings > Cookie Consent > Advanced Settings if you need to manually control consent defaults or if you experience conflicts.

Verification:

Open your browser’s developer console and look for [MDCC] debug messages (if WP_DEBUG is enabled) showing consent state changes. You can also use Google Tag Manager’s Preview mode to verify tags only fire after consent is granted.

How can I verify the plugin is blocking tracking correctly?

Using Google Tag Manager Preview Mode:

Open your site in a private browsing window
Enable GTM Preview mode for your container
Before clicking any consent button, check the Preview panel
Tags should show “Not Fired” or “Consent Denied” status
Click “Accept All” – tags should fire immediately
Click “Decline All” on another test – tags should remain blocked

Using Google Analytics Realtime:

Open GA4 Realtime report in a separate browser window
Visit your site in a private browsing window
Click “Decline All” when the popup appears
Your visit should NOT appear in Realtime
Open a new private window and click “Accept All”
Your visit should now appear in Realtime within seconds

Using Browser Console:

If you have WP_DEBUG enabled in wp-config.php, open the browser console (F12) and look for [MDCC] log messages showing consent state initialization and changes.

Using Page Source:

Right-click page and select “View Page Source”
Search for “gtag(‘consent’, ‘default'”
You should see this appear BEFORE your GTM snippet
This confirms the plugin is setting default consent before tracking loads

Does this work with WooCommerce?

Yes. The plugin is theme and plugin agnostic. It works with WooCommerce, Elementor, and any other WordPress plugins.

Can I customize the popup appearance?

Yes! Choose from three style presets (Minimal, Modern, Bold), three positions (Top, Bottom, Center), customize the primary color, edit all text, and control animation style.

Can I use my own Elementor popup?

Absolutely. Enter your Elementor Popup ID in settings and the plugin will use your custom popup while maintaining proper consent functionality.

How do I find my Elementor Popup ID?

To use a custom Elementor popup with this plugin:

In WordPress admin, go to Templates > Popups
Find your popup in the list
Hover over the popup name – you’ll see a URL in your browser’s status bar
The URL will look like: post.php?post=123&action=elementor
The number after post= is your Popup ID (in this example: 123)
Enter this number in Settings > Cookie Consent > Elementor Integration
Your buttons in the Elementor popup must trigger the consent JavaScript functions:
- Accept All: mdccConsent.acceptAll()
- Analytics Only: mdccConsent.acceptAnalyticsOnly()
- Decline All: mdccConsent.declineAll()

Alternatively, edit your popup in Elementor and check the browser URL – the popup ID appears there as well.

For more details on setting up button actions, see our support forum.

Does this slow down my site?

No. The entire plugin is under 10KB (CSS + JS combined). It makes zero database queries during page load and has no external dependencies.

Is this GDPR compliant?

The plugin provides the technical framework for GDPR-compliant consent management. However, GDPR compliance involves more than just a consent popup (privacy policy, data processing agreements, etc.).

This plugin handles the consent mechanism properly. Legal compliance is your responsibility.

What about CCPA compliance?

The plugin works for CCPA compliance as it provides clear opt-out mechanisms for tracking. However, CCPA has additional requirements (privacy policy language, etc.) beyond technical consent management.

Can users change their consent after dismissing the popup?

Yes! Use the [mdcc_manage_consent] shortcode anywhere on your site (typically in the footer or privacy policy page) to provide a consent management interface.

How long is the “popup shown” cookie stored?

Configurable in settings. Default is 7 days. This prevents the popup from showing repeatedly to the same visitor. Range: 1-365 days.

Can I re-prompt users who declined tracking?

Yes. Enable “Re-prompt on Decline” in settings. If users decline all tracking, they’ll see the popup again once per browsing session.

Does this work on mobile?

Yes. The popup is fully responsive and works on all screen sizes, from large desktop monitors to small mobile phones.

Is this accessible for screen readers?

Yes. The plugin follows WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards with proper ARIA labels, keyboard navigation, and focus management.

What if I deactivate the plugin?

Deactivating the plugin will stop the popup from appearing but won’t delete your settings. Reactivating restores your configuration.

What if I delete the plugin?

Deleting the plugin removes all settings and data from your database. This action cannot be undone.

Does this work with caching plugins?

Yes. The plugin is designed to work with all major caching plugins (WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, etc.) because it uses client-side JavaScript and localStorage.

Can I translate this plugin?

Yes! The plugin is fully translation-ready. Contribute translations at: https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/maxtdesign-cookie-consent

Where can I get support?

Support Forum: https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/maxtdesign-cookie-consent
Email: support@maxtdesign.com (for Pro customers)

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ChangeLog

1.7.3 – 2026-02-28

Translation support

Added:
* Complete translation template (.pot) with all 61 translatable strings
* Enables community translation via translate.wordpress.org
* Users can now translate with Loco Translate or Poedit without any extra setup

1.7.2 – 2026-02-11

Bug fix for popup display race condition

Fixed:
* Popup race condition where JavaScript initialized before popup HTML was rendered via wp_footer

1.7.1 – 2026-02-09

Critical bug fix for Google Consent Mode v2 timing

Fixed:
* Google Consent Mode v2 timing issue – GTM and GA4 scripts now properly blocked until user grants consent
* Added gtag(‘consent’, ‘default’, {…}) injection in before tracking scripts load
* Ensures compliance with GDPR/CCPA by preventing tracking before explicit user consent

Added:
* Admin setting to enable/disable GCM default injection (Advanced Settings section)
* Setting enabled by default for proper compliance
* Option to disable if conflicts occur with custom implementations

Technical:
* New method MDCC_Consent_Manager::inject_gcm_default() injects consent default state
* New admin setting ‘gcm_inject_default’ with checkbox control
* Runs on wp_head priority 1 to execute before all tracking scripts
* wait_for_update parameter (500ms) allows consent-runtime.js to load
* Zero functional changes to existing consent API or shortcodes

1.7.0 – 2025-02-04

Build system, testing suite, bug fix, and optimizations

Added:
* Minification build (PostCSS + Terser); WordPress loads .min assets by default, source when SCRIPT_DEBUG is true
* Phase 4 testing suite: performance validation, functional tests, manual testing checklist, visual regression guide
* SVN upload file list and workflow documentation

Fixed:
* Popup no longer re-appears on initial load when “Re-prompt on Decline” is enabled (visibility check)

Changed:
* consent-runtime.js optimized (~40% size reduction), full parity maintained
* Plugin display name set to “MaxtDesign Cookie Consent – Google Consent Mode v2”; slug/text domain maxtdesign-cookie-consent
* All prefixes refactored to MDCC_/mdcc_/mdcc-; shortcodes [mdcc_consent_status] and [mdcc_manage_consent]

1.6.0 – 2025-10-30

Initial public release on WordPress.org

Added:
* Complete standalone consent popup system with three style presets (Minimal, Modern, Bold)
* Google Consent Mode v2 implementation (all four consent types: analytics_storage, ad_storage, ad_user_data, ad_personalization)
* localStorage-based consent storage (zero database queries, privacy-first)
* Admin settings page with popup customization options
* Color picker for primary button color
* Three position options: Top banner, Bottom banner, Center modal
* Three animation options: Slide, Fade, None
* Configurable popup content (title and message)
* Cookie-based “popup shown” tracking (configurable duration: 1-365 days)
* Optional re-prompt on decline (once per session)
* Optional Elementor popup integration
* Two shortcodes: [mdcc_consent_status] and [mdcc_manage_consent]
* Real-time consent status updates (chips update when consent changes)
* Full keyboard accessibility (ESC to close, Tab navigation, focus trap)
* Screen reader support (ARIA labels, role attributes)
* Mobile responsive design
* Complete internationalization support (translation-ready)
* High contrast mode support
* Reduced motion support
* Reset preferences functionality with confirmation

Technical:
* Zero external dependencies (vanilla JavaScript, no jQuery)
* <10KB total size (CSS + JS combined, gzipped)
* WCAG 2.1 AA accessible
* WordPress Coding Standards compliant
* Compatible with WordPress 5.8+
* Compatible with PHP 7.4+
* Works with all themes and major plugins

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