Overview
This check validates that every crawled page carries a clear, working link to your Cookie Notice, also called a Cookie Declaration or Cookie Policy. The link is usually in the global footer. ObservePoint scans the pages in an audit and flags any page where the link is missing.
In light of the accessibility requirements of GDPR, we recommend linking the Cookie Notice separately from your Privacy Policy, so visitors can find cookie information without searching through a longer document.
Note: This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult qualified legal counsel regarding your organization's specific GDPR obligations.
Why it is important
GDPR Article 12 requires that information about how personal data is used be given in a concise, transparent, and easily accessible form. The ePrivacy Directive adds that visitors must receive clear and comprehensive information about the cookies placed on their device.
A Cookie Notice that visitors cannot find from the page they are on does not meet that standard. A missing link is also easy for an outsider to spot, since anyone can open a page and look for it. And because footers and templates change often, a link that exists today can quietly disappear after a redesign.
Implementation
Use an ObservePoint audit with a small on-page check to confirm the link is on every page.
Create an audit covering 100% of the domain, or a representative crawl for very large sites.
Check the pre-built ObservePoint report for Pages missing Cookie Notice links.
Apply additional filters for confirmed exceptions, if applicable.
Remediation
If the link is missing from any pages:
Confirm the failure is real. Check the page screenshot from the Audit run.
Fix the template. Find the template or CMS component that renders the footer and add the link there, so it appears on every page, including new ones. Check micro-sites and landing pages managed by other teams too.
Check where the link goes. It should open your current Cookie Notice, not an error page, an old version, or only your Privacy Policy.
Keep it visible. Make sure the link is not hidden behind the cookie banner or other elements, and that its text is easy to read.
Re-run the audit. Once the fix is live, run the Audit again and confirm the report of pages missing the link is empty.
Conclusion
A Cookie Notice link is one of the simplest and most visible parts of a GDPR program. Visitors need it to understand what is stored on their device, and it is easy for anyone to check.
Sites change constantly, so running this check on a regular schedule helps you catch a missing link soon after a release, before a visitor or regulator does.