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Title: What is the IAB Transparency and Consent Framework?
URL: https://www.cookiebot.com/en/tcf/
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# What is the IAB Transparency and Consent Framework?

## Who benefits from the IAB TCF?

### Consumers

**Who is a consumer?**

- End-users of websites and mobile apps

**How do they benefit?** Consumers receive clear information about what data is being collected and for what purpose. They can easily give or withdraw consent for different types of data processing and advertising.

### Publishers

**Who is a publisher?**

- Websites and apps that monetize their platforms with digital advertising
- Online media outlets

**How do they benefit?** Publishers have a streamlined way to obtain consent and manage user preferences. They can serve ads to consumers and maintain their revenue streams while respecting user privacy.

### Advertisers

**Who is an advertiser?**

- Third parties who advertise on publishers’ platforms
- Ad tech vendors

**How do they benefit?** Advertisers or vendors can reliably interpret and apply user consent across various platforms and services. They have a standardized and simplified way to comply with complex data privacy laws like [the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)](/en/gdpr/).

## IAB Transparency and Consent Framework for publishers

The IAB Transparency and Consent Framework communicates user consent choices between three players in digital advertising:

- You, the publisher
- Third parties who advertise on your website or app
- The consent management platform (CMP) you use to obtain user consent

The goal of the IAB TCF is to standardize the approach to data privacy and provide a consistent method for publishers and vendors to become compliant with the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive.

### How to implement the IAB TCF: a step-by-step guide for publishers

1. Select the advertisers or vendors you want to work with with IAB Europe’s Global Vendor List (GVL).
2. Implement a CMP that integrates with the latest version IAB TCF, such as [Cookiebot CMP](/).
3. Configure your CMP settings.
4. Display a GDPR-compliant consent banner to users who visit your website or app.
5. Capture and record user consent.
6. Communicate user preferences to vendors.

If you use Google's advertising services like AdSense, AdMob, or Google Ad Manager and would like to work with advertisers or ad tech vendors who aren’t on the GVL, you can do so using [Google’s Additional Consent](https://usercentrics.com/knowledge-hub/google-additional-consent-guide-publishers/) with your CMP.

This enables you to send consent signals to display ads from Google ad tech vendors to consumers while remaining compliant with data protection regulations like the GDPR.

### Why you should use a CMP that integrates with the IAB TCF

#### Enable GDPR compliance

The IAB TCF was established to align with the GDPR, providing a standardized approach to handling user data and consent. By adhering to the IAB’s GDPR framework, you can meet the required legal standards for data protection.

#### Required to serve ads in the EU, EEA, and UK

Google has released a [list of certified CMPs](https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/13554116) that must integrate with the IAB TCF as a condition for certification. Starting January 16, 2024, you must use a Google-certified CMP if you want to serve ads to users in the EU, EEA, and UK using Google's advertising services. **Cookiebot CMP is a** [**Google-certified CMP**](/en/google-certified-cmp-requirement-cookiebot/) **partner.**

[Learn more about Google’s requirements to serve ads to users without disruption.](/en/google-certified-cmp-requirement-cookiebot/)

#### Build trust with end-users

By implementing a CMP that's compliant with the TCF, you demonstrate to end-users that you respect their privacy and handle their data responsibly. This builds trust, giving them more confidence to interact with your online content and ads.

#### Earn ad revenue with peace of mind

A CMP that aligns with the IAB TCF framework can also contribute to earning ad revenue more effectively. Implementing IAB TCF v2.4 offers you more control in establishing the legal basis for collaborating with vendors, potentially boosting your ad revenue. With a CMP that integrates with the IAB TCF, you can continue earning ad revenue with peace of mind, knowing that you're following the best practices in user data handling.

## What is the IAB TCF v2.4 and how does it impact publishers?

The IAB TCF v2.4 (which is also referred to as “IAB CMP framework”) has a compliance deadline of October 23, 2026.

IAB Europe introduced these policy and technical updates to make the TCF GDPR-compliant in light of evolving case law, guidelines from Data Protection Authorities and changing market needs.

It brings several changes for you, including:

- The framework now requires you to obtain explicit consent for processing data for ads and personalized content.
- Your cookie consent banner must display the total number of vendors in the first layer.
- You must enable users to easily access the CMP if they wish to withdraw or revoke consent once given.
- You must maintain detailed records of user consents, noting exactly what each user agreed to.

Using a CMP that is registered with the TCF, like Cookiebot CMP, enables you to easily comply with these requirements.

[**Learn more about the IAB Transparency and Consent Framework v2.4 (TCF v2.4)**](/en/iab-tcf-cookies/)

## How Cookiebot CMP can help you be IAB TCF compliant

Cookiebot CMP can help you meet the requirements of the IAB Transparency and Consent Framework. This can enable you to seamlessly serve ads to consumers in the EU, EEA, and UK, while continuing to use Google ad tech platforms for uninterrupted advertising revenue.

### Cookiebot CMP features that enable IAB TCF compliance

- Is a Google-certified CMP
- Easy to [set up IAB TCF integration](https://support.cookiebot.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015693200-Your-Cookiebot-banner-when-using-the-IAB-TCF-integration)
- Easy consent withdrawal procedure that aligns with IAB TCF v2.4 requirements
- Supports Google Additional Consent to compliantly work with non-GVL advertisers
- Enables you to obtain and record valid user consent for data processing purposes

### Cookiebot CMP consent banner features for IAB TCF compliance

- Detailed vendor disclosure on the cookie consent banner
- Standard, non-editable, IAB-certified message displayed in the banner
- Customization available for you to display your own cookie text, including a link to your privacy policy or cookie policy
- Ad settings tab for consumers to choose between IAB purposes and vendors before submitting their consent
- Total number of parties data will be shared with is displayed on the first layer of the banner
- 30 languages supported by the IAB available for use on the banner

## Secure your ad revenue with TCF 2.4 and Cookiebot

- **Step 1** — Create an account and add your domain
- **Step 2** — Select and customize your banner
- **Step 3** — Implement the code into your website. Done!

[Start your 14-day free trial](https://admin.cookiebot.com/signup)

Cancel any time

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## Frequently asked questions

### What is the TCF framework?

The Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe's Transparency and Consent Framework (currently in version 2.4) is a set of standards and protocols developed by IAB Europe to help ensure transparency and respect for user consent in digital advertising, in line with data privacy laws like the GDPR. The TCF enables consumers to give or withhold consent and exercise their right to object to data processing for advertising purposes like personalization.

### What does the IAB TCF v2.4 do?

TCF v2.4 updates the Transparency and Consent Framework so publishers, advertisers, and vendors can communicate a visitor's consent choices more clearly — especially across devices and for vendor Features, which (unlike Purposes) carry no individual on/off control.
Publishers may now persist a visitor's privacy choices across devices, such as when they're signed into an account, provided the CMP discloses this and handles any conflicting choices consistently. CMPs must also show standard explanatory text and illustrations for each Feature, and reflect the renamed Special Feature 2 — now "Identify devices based on information actively requested."
IAB Tech Lab published the v2.4 Specifications and GVL update on July 23, 2026. Web environments must comply by October 23, 2026; mobile app and CTV by February 23, 2027.

### What is IAB TCF v2.4 for publishers?

Most of the v2.4 work sits with the CMP, not the publisher directly. It requires informing visitors when their choices persist across devices, and handling conflicts consistently if device-level and account-level preferences differ.
Publishers' existing obligations remain: visitors need an easy way to view, change, or withdraw consent, and consent records still need to be kept for accountability. A properly maintained CMP integration covers the rest. Deadlines: October 23, 2026 for web, February 23, 2027 for mobile app and CTV.

### How does Cookiebot™ help enable IAB TCF v2.4 compliance?

Cookiebot CMP has several features that support compliance with IAB TCF v2.4. It has IAB TCF v2.4 integration and is a Gold Tier Google-certified CMP, meaning publishers will be able to serve ads to users in the EU, EEA and UK without disruption. It enables publishers to obtain and record consent as per the TCF’s requirements, and it enables consumers to easily withdraw or revoke consent once given. The cookie consent banner has specific settings that comply with the TCF, which includes displaying the total number of vendors on the first layer, an IAB-certified message displayed in the banner, and an ad settings tab for consumers to choose between IAB purposes and vendors to give consent.

### What is a TCF registered CMP?

A TCF-registered CMP helps publishers and advertisers comply with the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive by managing user consent for data processing and advertising in line with the TCF’s guidelines. CMPs must register with the IAB for the TCF and follow its policies, which include providing transparency and choices to users regarding vendors and purposes, capturing and storing users' privacy choices, and ensuring that these choices can be communicated to vendors. Cookiebot CMP is registered with the IAB and follows the IAB CMP framework.

### How do you obtain TCF consent?

TCF is a framework that enables publishers and advertisers to comply with the requirements of data privacy laws and frameworks like the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive. Valid TCF consent requires that you obtain explicit consent per the GDPR’s requirements. Using a CMP that integrates with the IAB TCF v2.4 supports this compliance.

### Where can I get support implementing the Cookiebot™ consent banner with the IAB TCF integration?

If you’re looking for instructions on how to setup and implement the Cookiebot™ consent banner with the IAB TCF v2.4 integration enabled, please see our [support article on this subject](https://support.cookiebot.com/hc/en-us/articles/360007652694).

## Protect your ad revenue

Meet the requirements of the IAB Transparency and Consent Framework to serve ads to your visitors without interruption.

[Start 14-day free trial](https://admin.cookiebot.com/signup)

## Summary

The Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) is a set of guidelines and standards developed by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Europe. It provides a framework for publishers, advertisers, and ad tech vendors to ensure transparency and obtain user consent for online advertising practices.

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