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Understanding Google Consent Mode v2 and CMP Certification with the GDPR Cookie Compliance Plugin

34 threads Sep 16, 2025

Content

Many users of the 'GDPR Cookie Compliance – Cookie Banner, Cookie Consent, Cookie Notice – CCPA, DSGVO, RGPD' plugin have questions about its compatibility with Google's evolving privacy standards, particularly Consent Mode v2 and the requirement for a certified Consent Management Platform (CMP). This article clarifies the plugin's capabilities and limitations based on common community support threads.

The Core Issue: Consent Mode v2 vs. CMP Certification

Users often conflate two distinct Google requirements, leading to confusion:

  1. Google Consent Mode v2: A technical framework for communicating a user's consent status to Google tags. The plugin supports this natively through its 'Integrations' tab.
  2. Google CMP Certification: An official validation from Google for a consent banner provider. The plugin's development team has stated they do not currently have this certification and do not plan to obtain it in the near future.

Why You Might See a "No CMP Found" Error

If you use a tool to validate your CMP setup and see an error like "No CMP API found on this webpage," it is likely because the plugin is not on Google's list of certified CMPs. This does not necessarily mean the consent banner itself is broken; it means the validator cannot recognize it as a Google-certified platform.

Common Problems and Solutions

1. Configuring Consent Mode v2 Correctly

Problem: Google Analytics shows warnings about missing consent signals, or tags do not fire correctly after consent is given.

Solution: The plugin's native support for Consent Mode v2 requires proper configuration. The most common method is using the Google Tag Manager (Consent Mode v2) option within the plugin's 'Integrations' tab. This is an advanced setup. You or your developer must:

  • Input your GTM ID in the plugin.
  • Configure triggers and tags within your Google Tag Manager container based on consent signals. A common setup involves creating a custom trigger that fires on the cookie_consent_update event.
  • Thoroughly test the implementation using tools like Google Tag Assistant to verify which tags are firing and what consent status (e.g., G100, G111) they are transmitting.

2. Adsense "Certified CMP Not Adopted" Warning

Problem: Google Adsense displays a warning about not using a certified CMP.

Solution: This warning is directly related to the lack of Google CMP certification. Configuring Consent Mode v2 in the plugin will not resolve this specific Adsense warning, as it is a separate requirement. The plugin's development team has indicated that obtaining this certification is not a current priority.

3. Implementing Consent Mode Without GTM

Problem: A user wants to use Consent Mode v2 but does not use Google Tag Manager.

Solution: The 'Integrations' tab also offers a Direct Integration option for Google Analytics. For advanced implementations without GTM, users have reported success by manually adding the required consent default scripts to their site's header, often via a custom code plugin or theme functions file.

Important Limitations to Note

  • No CMP Certification: The plugin is not currently certified by Google. This may impact ads serving in the EEA and UK for certain Google products like Adsense.
  • Advanced Configuration Needed: Successfully implementing Consent Mode v2, especially the advanced version, often requires technical knowledge to configure GTM tags and triggers correctly. The plugin's support frequently recommends involving a development team for this purpose.
  • Legal Compliance is Your Responsibility: As noted in the threads, the plugin's development team cannot advise on whether a specific site is legally compliant. Using any tool is only one part of achieving compliance, which depends on your specific data collection and processing activities.

Conclusion

The 'GDPR Cookie Compliance' plugin provides native tools for implementing the technical aspects of Google Consent Mode v2. However, it is critical to understand that this is different from being a Google-certified CMP. For many users, the plugin's GTM integration will successfully manage consent signals for their analytics and advertising tags. For those strictly required to use a Google-certified CMP for services like Adsense, exploring alternative certified platforms may be necessary.

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