Consently now supports Google Consent Mode v2, enabling websites and applications to communicate user consent choices to Google services in a compliant and standardized way.

This document explains how Google Consent Mode v2 works with Consently, which consent signals are supported, and how the integration behaves across Google tags.

Overview

Google Consent Mode v2 allows publishers to control how Google services behave based on user consent choices.

Consently integrates with Google Consent Mode v2 to ensure:

  • Consent is denied by default

  • Consent signals are updated only after explicit user action

  • Google tags respect user privacy choices at all times

The integration works with both gtag (Global Site Tag) and Google Tag Manager (GTM).

Supported Google Consent Mode Signals

Consently supports all required Google Consent Mode v2 consent signals:

  • ad_storage

  • analytics_storage

  • ad_user_data

  • ad_personalization

These signals are automatically managed based on consent collected through the Consently banner and preference center.

Default Consent Behavior

Consently follows a privacy-by-default consent model.

Before any user interaction:

  • All Google consent signals are set to "denied"

  • Google tags do not activate storage that requires consent

This ensures compliance with Google’s consent requirements before any data processing occurs.

Consent Updates After User Interaction

When a user interacts with the consent banner or preference center, Consently updates Google consent signals in real time.

Consent updates occur when a user:

  • Accepts all cookies

  • Rejects all cookies

  • Sets granular consent preferences

Updated consent states are immediately applied to Google services.

Integration Methods

gtag (Global Site Tag)

Consently integrates directly with gtag.js.

  • Consent defaults are applied before tag initialization

  • Consent updates are sent using Google-approved consent APIs

  • No manual consent-handling logic is required

Google Tag Manager (GTM)

Consently supports native Google Tag Manager Consent Mode.

  • Compatible with GTM preview and published containers

  • Works with Google’s consent checks and tag-firing rules

  • Consent updates automatically control tag behavior

Validation and Testing

Google Consent Mode behavior can be validated using:

  • Google Tag Assistant

  • Google Tag Manager preview mode

These tools can be used to confirm default consent states and consent updates after user interaction.

Summary

With this release, Consently provides:

  • Support for Google Consent Mode v2

  • Default denied consent behavior

  • Real-time consent updates

  • Compatibility with gtag and Google Tag Manager

This ensures alignment with Google consent requirements and applicable privacy regulations.