The New vs Returning widget shows how many visitors are first-timers versus repeat visitors. Opti-Behavior does this without tracking cookies. This article explains how.
How identification works #
- Each visitor gets a privacy-safe, cookieless identifier derived from non-personal signals.
- When the same identifier returns, the session is marked as returning; otherwise it is new.
- Under Anonymous Mode, identification stays cookieless and IP-derived data is minimized.
Expected result #
You see a clear split of new versus returning visitors for the selected date range, useful for judging loyalty and retention.
FAQ #
Does this need consent? #
Cookieless identification is designed to be privacy-friendly. Review your privacy mode and consent settings to match your policy.
Why might returning counts look low? #
Short reporting ranges and strict privacy settings reduce how often a returning visitor is recognized.
