Agile Model in Software Testing | What it is , Why & Benefits

Hey there, tech enthusiasts and passionate testers! For the last one year, our industry is flooded with material on how ChatGPT and other AI models will transform the <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/future-of-software-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">future of testing</a>. I promise you that this article will be different and would not talk about the capabilities of ChatGPT but would instead talk about the myths in testing industry that ChatGPT has busted.&nbsp;



Brace yourselves as we unveil the myth that ChatGPT, the AI language model, has finally shattered: the notion that coding is the primary &#8220;super&#8221; skill for success in testing. Believe it or not, coding is not the be-all and end-all of testing prowess. Let&#8217;s explore why and discover what lies ahead for the testing landscape.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Introduction">1 Introduction</a></li><li><a href="#Whats_Next">2 What’s Next?</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">3 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-introduction">Introduction</h2>



For years, the belief that coding skills are paramount for testers has sustained in the industry. Many aspiring testers or mid-range experienced testers felt compelled to hone their programming abilities, and even practice competitive programming assuming it was the golden ticket to excel in the industry. But ChatGPT has emerged as a game-changer, challenging this long-running assumption.



 With ChatGPT, it has become increasingly easy and simple to generate test framework codes, sample scripts, test data generation utilities, and whatnot. Just a simple search on YouTube, and you will find a plethora of video tutorials on how to generate code samples <a href="https://hix.ai/chatgpt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">using ChatGPT</a>. In most cases, the code generated by the AI model needs basic to no modification for most simple to basic use cases of test automation. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/kpX0JFZdmD4kjR3zlbNj67fONXu2XONzOf6t5-41mJ3TteTTVmVoxk6i1k0zjyRGfJ0pIoWOxAqGZwgvCB0t6n6Qe5WbB75eqC-0PZ9hce7R-foqFFujlvU7G6BiDFk1xMu6hf7M3RiHpHK3CfLdhQ" alt="A picture containing wall, flag, indoor, fabric

Description automatically generated" /></figure>



This article is not against coding or programming as a skill. Coding is undeniably valuable in testing, especially when it comes to creative and custom automation needs. However, it is merely one piece of the puzzle. Testing is a multidimensional craft that demands a diverse skill set to deliver fruitful results.&nbsp;



<h2 id="what-s-next">What’s Next?</h2>



With the rise and boom of AI &amp; No Code tools in the market (Ex: <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a>), it’s clear that basic framework generation or scripting work will get easy and simple. As the testing landscape evolves, it&#8217;s essential for testers to embrace this transformation and continue to nurture their diverse skill set. By focusing on the key testing skills, testers can adapt to the changing industry and remain at the forefront of delivering exceptional value.



So, what are these key testing skills that deserve your attention? Let&#8217;s see some of the essential abilities that testers have not been focusing much but should be focusing on:



<ol><li>Risk Analysis: As a tester, we primarily test to find information about the risks and help the team reduce their risk gap. Your ability to assess risks and prioritize them is crucial. Identifying potential issues, the risk gap associated with them as well as their impact on the system under test helps the team make well-informed decisions and drive the project effectively. Here are a few resources to get started and understand risk analysis in testing:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g97mMeC9EIE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Michael Bolton. Risk Analysis. QA Fest 2018 &#8211; YouTube</a></li><li><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/risk-based-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">What is Risk Based Testing? Top Benefits &amp; Approaches (testsigma.com)</a></li><li><a href="https://riskstormingonline.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">RiskStorming Online</a><a href="https://riskstormingonline.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> | A Quality Strategy Created Together</a></li><li><a href="http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">RISKS-LIST: RISKS-FORUM Digest (ncl.ac.uk)</a></li></ul></li></ol>



<ol start="2"><li>Effective Communication: As a tester, we are often the bearer of bad news. Conveying such news is socially difficult. Being able to articulate such thoughts in verbal as well as written forms, report bugs with advocacy, collaborate with developers, and interact with stakeholders are all vital aspects of a tester&#8217;s role. If you are looking for a long-term career in tech, communication is one skill that you should master early in your career.</li></ol>



 Here are a few resources to learn the art of persuasive and influential communication:



<ul><li><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/top-ways-communicate-software-testing-insights-better/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Top 7 Ways t</a><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/top-ways-communicate-software-testing-insights-better/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">o Communicate Software Testing Insights Better (testsigma.com)</a></li><li><a href="https://manassaloi.com/2020/05/19/master-communication-writing.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">How to communicate better | Manas J. Saloi (manassaloi.com)</a></li><li><a href="http://testertested.blogspot.com/2013/05/emailing-skills-and-its-power-to.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Tester Tested !: Emailing skills and its power to influence for software testers (no, just me)</a></li></ul> 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/2KJ0vYoXRKTYVfQ5ZhTzQMlSNPZuVObXkP4NX9txfe4qIXENhtkR-hUEwh43poGlIavxJbkkoUUXG5TyZ2PJZfFMZ6ZGQZaIHUK_70Zl2jxeupWqSQUYjQqxOI4aNbfiSaTh4lQgo3MOQ9DjIEfZZg" alt="influential communication" /></figure></div>



 <ol start="3"><li>Bug Advocacy: Bug Reports are high-visibility items for project stakeholders. As a tester, simply reporting bugs is not enough. Bugs that are not acted upon do not translate into actual value. Testers should learn the art of advocating for the bugs they discover. This skill involves presenting clear evidence, explaining the impact of the bug, and conveying its risk and importance to the stakeholders. Here are few resources to learn the art of bug advocacy &amp; beyond:</li></ol>



<ul><li><a href="https://www.thetesttribe.com/courses/bug-advocacy-course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Bug Advocacy: Report Bugs that Get Fixed, Like a Pro (thetesttribe.com)</a></li><li><a href="https://leanpub.com/bugadvocacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Bug Advocacy by Rahul Parwal et al. [Leanpub PDF/iPad/Kindle]</a></li><li><a href="https://issuu.com/santhoshtuppad/docs/crash-course-on-reporting-bugs-in-software-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Crash Course on Reporting Bugs in Software Testing by Santhosh Tuppad &#8211; Issuu</a></li></ul>



<ol start="4"><li>Exploring Requirements: Requirements are often unclear, ambiguous, and inconsistent in most software projects. Also, not all requirements will be in written form. Just like development, requirements need to be tested as well as explored too. Testers need to be skilled at diving deep into the project context, understanding the scope, and exploring the missing parts of the requirements. This key skill will determine your ability to cover and target the right areas.</li></ol> 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BolEhu8S7KgroC6_HSxOAkDluyfO_v8mrHBdGl0rXWmtliwT3aQcxPzllyaKxwu916p9viODM0WoCaujCh2TUeLQoPJdF8J-qFfgc5DRLeVBY0vJNiJ9FaXjxIbV8nhTvm2JDF0eeuDw5ZzA2BxTyQ" alt="A picture containing text, screenshot, font, line
" /></figure></div>



 Here are a few resources to be good at exploring requirements:



<ul><li><a href="https://www.thetesttribe.com/blog/exploring-requirements/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Exploring Requirements: Part 3 of Requirement Gathering Blog Series (thetesttribe.com)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh4-p_02coc&amp;t=583s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Perform Systematic Exploration and Understand Testing Requirement | Rahul Parwal #requirements #test &#8211; YouTube</a></li><li><a href="https://leanpub.com/exploringrequirementsone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Exploring Requirements… by Gerald M. Weinberg [PDF/iPad/Kindle] (leanpub.com)</a></li></ul>



<ol start="5"><li>Test Strategy: Creating and discussing about your <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/software-testing-strategy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test strategy</a> is an important aspect of professional systematic software testing. Crafting a solid test strategy is a vital skill for testers. It involves devising a plan that outlines the testing approach, techniques, quality criteria’s, project environment, and coverage areas to ensure thorough testing.</li></ol>



 Here are a few resources and reference examples to learn the art of creating a holistic test strategy:



<ul><li><a href="https://www.huibschoots.nl/wordpress/?p=2726" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Creating a Test Strategy – Magnifiant: exploring software testing (huibschoots.nl)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.satisfice.com/download/heuristic-test-strategy-model" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Heuristic Test Strategy Model &#8211; Satisfice, Inc.</a></li><li><a href="http://thetesteye.com/posters/TestStrategyChecklist.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Test Strategy Checklist (thetesteye.com)</a></li></ul>



<ol start="6"><li>Product Modeling: The ability to model the product mentally or as an abstract model helps testers gain a deeper understanding of its behavior, interactions, and potential risk areas. By creating a visual model or representation of the product, testers can target effective test scenarios as well as structure their tests better. It also helps in achieving a higher test coverage.&nbsp;</li></ol>



 Here are a few resources to learn about systematic product modeling:



<ul><li><a href="http://thetesteye.com/blog/2012/02/many-models-better-test-ideas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Many Models – Better Test Ideas</a></li><li><a href="https://www.annemariecharrett.com/how-i-use-modelling-in-software-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Model a system is critical in software testing (here&#8217;s how) (annemariecharrett.com)</a></li><li><a href="http://testerstories.com/2017/12/modeling-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Modeling Testing – Stories from a Software Tester (testerstories.com)</a></li></ul>



<ol start="7"><li>Biases: Like in any other field, biases, and prejudices can be very risky in software development. As a tester, it’s good to know about them in advance and develop a questioning / investigative attitude whenever you feel you are getting biased. Biases can affect your testing judgments and overall decision-making processes. Often, you will have to consciously de-bias yourself from the diverse set of information and emotions around you.&nbsp;</li></ol>



 Here are few resources to learn about biases and how to not let them affect your testing:



<ul><li><a href="https://originality.ai/blog/are-gpt-detectors-biased-against-non-native-english-speakers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Are ChatGPT Detectors Biased Against Non Native English Speakers</a></li><li><a href="https://testingtitbits.com/does-psychology-influence-your-test-experiments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Are Biases Influencing your Test Results? &#8211; Rahul&#8217;s Testing Titbits</a></li><li><a href="https://www.sog.unc.edu/sites/www.sog.unc.edu/files/course_materials/Cognitive%20Biases%20Codex.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Cognitive Biases Codex.pdf (unc.edu)</a></li><li><a href="https://betterhumans.pub/cognitive-bias-cheat-sheet-55a472476b18?gi=224e4f259984#.5q3u387fg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Cognitive bias cheat sheet. An organized list of cognitive biases because thinking is hard. | by Buster Benson | Better Humans</a></li></ul>



<ol start="8"><li>Negotiation: Testers often find themselves in situations where negotiation skills come in handy. Estimations and negotiations go hand in hand. Your ability to negotiate and buy time will play a key role in quality delivery. Collaborating with stakeholders under pressure to address conflicting priorities is an art that will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.</li></ol>



 Here are a few resources to learn the art of negotiation as a software tester or consultant:



<ul><li><a href="https://secretsofconsulting.blogspot.com/2006/05/yielding-to-pressure-vs-negotiating.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Gerald Weinberg&#8217;s Secrets of Writing and Consulting: Yielding to Pressure vs. Negotiating (secretsofconsulting.blogspot.com)</a></li><li><a href="https://developsense.com/blog/2009/08/test-estimation-is-really-negotiation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Test Estimation Is Really Negotiation – DevelopSense</a></li></ul>



<ol start="9"><li>Persuasion: Testing is not just about finding information about the product. It also involves helping the team make well-informed and beneficial decisions for the product and team. Often these things are not directly under your control as a tester. Convincing others about the importance of testing, the value of certain approaches, or the severity of a bug requires persuasive skills. Testers who can effectively present their case influence decision-makers positively.</li></ol>



 Here is a crisp mindmap to help you understand and implement the art of persuasion as a tester:



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TUG3XgOs4H-dfigxv2SmhNzPC3Kzhe6WdzBlRVlkfAD7W1Pm9tqSpnMFbnUeryftLCOnwj1LP7YC2ytcc_2_f6O-k6ebSGhYngGjFDJltWsdFHXisZS2CDM0YCdMVwLyWxoKEYoxJXWYqN1YtkqXgw" alt="" /></figure>



 <ol start="10"><li>Note-Taking: Just like testing, everyone can do note-taking to some degree. However, professional note-taking requires conscious practice and consistent efforts. Effective note-taking is a skill that often goes underrated but plays a significant role in your testing as well as your credibility as a professional. Taking comprehensive and organized notes helps testers track their progress, document important findings, and maintain a clear record of their work.</li></ol>



 Here is a crisp summary of the paper on Exploratory Tester’s Notebook by Michael Bolton that would give you the need and benefits of good note-taking in exploration:



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/mZ7sOcHSzPIZ0Ur3Lali31QjRc8oBCVQ9nSVx3Hz1xM2cwNYBbcdiCOb9jUh7M0PmjyxxJtgcNUwxfuEYNB4N75TFMH9_uyTQqCIO4UfQ1RMEycQ1WAL5Grk2SxvuXdhcXZJYIvi3HvH-o4woSelcg" alt="" /></figure>



 <h2 id="conclusion">Conclusion</h2>



In this article, we covered 10 essential skills that testers should now focus on honing to stay relevant and excel in their testing career. With testers upskilling themselves on these skills, we can soon envision a future where skilled testers collaborate seamlessly with AI models like ChatGPT, combining their human expertise and critical thinking skills with the model&#8217;s computational and processing capabilities. This synergy would result in more comprehensive and intelligent testing.



Interested to explore a powerful open-source testing tool that aims to assist you well with your human expertise?&nbsp; 



 <button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Check out Testsigma</a></button> 



 In conclusion, ChatGPT&#8217;s disruption of the long-standing myth that coding is the primary &#8220;super&#8221; skill for success in testing has pushed everyone to look around for a new era of possibilities. By recognizing, nurturing and embracing the diverse skill set required for testing, we empower ourselves to tackle complex challenges, advocate for quality, and drive innovation in the ever-evolving world of software testing.



Happy testing, and may your bug hunts be fruitful and fulfilling!

With ChatGPT here, what's next for the Testing Industry

With ChatGPT here, what’s next for the Testing Industry?

What is Software Quality Management And why is it important

Software Quality Management | What & Why it’s Important?

How Motherhood Shaped Me As Better Tester

Xpath Vs CSS Selector: Key Differences

<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Introduction">1 Introduction:</a></li><li><a href="#Set_Clear_Goals_and_Expectations">2 Set Clear Goals and Expectations:</a><ul><li><a href="#Goalnbsp">2.1 Goal:&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Expectationsnbsp">2.2 Expectations:&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Foster_a_Culture_of_Collaboration">2.3 Foster a Culture of Collaboration:</a></li><li><a href="#Invest_in_Continuous_Learning_and_Development">2.4 Invest in Continuous Learning and Development:</a></li><li><a href="#Empower_Your_Team">2.5 Empower Your Team:</a></li><li><a href="#Promote_Quality_Advocacy">2.6 Promote Quality Advocacy:</a></li><li><a href="#Implement_Effective_Processes_and_Tools">2.7 Implement Effective Processes and Tools:</a></li><li><a href="#Lead_by_Example">2.8 Lead by Example:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">3 Conclusion:</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-introduction">Introduction:</h2>



As the Head of Quality Assurance (QA), you have a crucial role in ensuring the success of your team. Effective leadership can significantly impact the productivity, efficiency, and morale of your QA team. Leading a QA team to success requires more than just technical expertise in quality assurance. It entails effective leadership, strong communication, and the ability to inspire and empower your team members.&nbsp;



As a QA leader, you play a vital role in ensuring the <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/software-quality-assurance-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quality of software products</a> and driving the team towards excellence. 



In this article, we will explore key strategies and best practices that will help you lead your QA team to success. From setting clear goals and fostering a collaborative environment to promoting continuous learning and embracing innovation, we will cover various aspects that contribute to the success of your QA team. So, let&#8217;s delve into the world of QA leadership and discover how you can guide your team to achieve outstanding results in the realm of software quality.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-set-clear-goals-and-expectations">Set Clear Goals and Expectations:</h2>



A successful QA team needs a clear sense of direction. As the leader, it is your responsibility to define and communicate clear goals and expectations to your team. Establish measurable targets, such as defect reduction rates, test coverage, and customer satisfaction metrics. Ensure that your team understands these objectives and their role in achieving them.&nbsp;



Following example can help you understand how setting up clear goals help in achieving success.



<h3 id="h-goal">Goal:&nbsp;</h3>



Ensure a high-quality and user-friendly e-commerce platform launch within the specified timeline.



<h3 id="h-expectations">Expectations:&nbsp;</h3>



<ul><li><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/test-coverage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Coverage</a>: Clearly define the areas of the e-commerce platform that need to be thoroughly tested. This includes functionality, performance, security, and usability. Communicate the expected test coverage to your team, specifying the critical features that must be tested extensively.</li><li>Defect Management: Set expectations regarding defect management. Define the severity levels and prioritize critical issues that need immediate attention. Clearly communicate the bug reporting process, including the required information in bug reports and the expected response time for addressing issues.</li><li>Test Execution: Establish expectations for test execution, including the test schedule, test environments, and test data requirements.&nbsp;</li><li>Test Documentation: Set guidelines for test documentation, such as test cases, test scripts, and test results reporting.</li><li>Collaboration with Development Team: Emphasize the importance of collaboration between the QA and development teams. Clearly communicate the expectations for bug triaging, bug fixing timelines, and effective communication channels between the two teams.</li><li>Timelines and Milestones: Set clear timelines and milestones for the testing phases, including test planning, test execution, and test closure. Clearly communicate the deadlines and deliverables expected from the QA team at each stage.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-foster-a-culture-of-collaboration">Foster a Culture of Collaboration:</h3>



Collaboration is essential for a high-performing QA team. Encourage open communication, idea-sharing, and teamwork among your team members. Promote a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions and contributing to the team&#8217;s success. Encourage cross-functional collaboration with other teams, such as development and product management, to foster a shared responsibility for quality.



<h3 id="h-invest-in-continuous-learning-and-development">Invest in Continuous Learning and Development:</h3>



The world of software testing and quality assurance is constantly evolving. Encourage your team members to stay updated with the latest industry trends, tools, and best practices. Provide opportunities for professional development, such as&nbsp;



<ul><li>Training programs</li><li>Workshops</li><li>Certifications. Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement, where team members can enhance their skills and grow both personally and professionally.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-empower-your-team">Empower Your Team:</h3>



To achieve success, empower your team members to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Provide them with the autonomy and authority to execute their tasks effectively. Encourage innovation and creativity in problem-solving. When team members feel trusted and empowered, they become more engaged and motivated to excel in their roles.



<h3 id="h-promote-quality-advocacy">Promote Quality Advocacy:</h3>



As the head of QA, it is crucial to instill a strong sense of quality advocacy within your team. Quality should be everyone&#8217;s responsibility, from developers to testers. Encourage proactive quality assurance practices, such as early involvement in the development process, promoting test-driven development, and conducting thorough code reviews. Emphasize the importance of preventing defects rather than just finding them, fostering a proactive and preventive approach to quality.



<h3 id="h-implement-effective-processes-and-tools">Implement Effective Processes and Tools:</h3>



Efficient processes and reliable tools are the backbone of a successful QA team. Evaluate your team&#8217;s current processes and identify areas for improvement. Implement streamlined workflows, standardized testing methodologies, and effective test management practices. Explore and adopt suitable testing tools and technologies that can enhance productivity and efficiency. Regularly review and refine these processes to ensure continuous improvement.



<button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="display: block;
 margin: auto;"><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Automate your tests for web, mobile, desktop applications and APIs, 5x faster, with Testsigma</a></button>



 <h3 id="h-lead-by-example">Lead by Example:</h3>



As a leader, your actions speak louder than words. Lead by example and embody the qualities you expect from your team. Demonstrate a strong work ethic, integrity, and a commitment to quality. Be approachable, supportive, and empathetic towards your team members. Celebrate their achievements and recognize their contributions. A positive and inspiring leader can motivate the team to go above and beyond.



<h2 id="h-conclusion">Conclusion:</h2>



Leading a QA team to success requires a combination of effective leadership skills, a supportive work environment, and a focus on continuous improvement. By setting clear goals, fostering collaboration, investing in learning and development, empowering team members, promoting quality advocacy, implementing efficient processes, and leading by example, you can guide your team towards achieving exceptional results. Remember, success is not just about delivering defect-free software; it&#8217;s about building a resilient, proactive, and high-performing team that consistently delivers value and exceeds expectations.

Leading Your QA Team to Success: Insights from a Head of QA

How Testers can communicate Effectively in Today's Business World

How Testers can communicate Effectively in Today’s Business World

Top 15 QA conferences in 2023 you must attend

30 Tricky QA Interview Questions and Answers in 2022

30 Tricky QA Interview Questions and Answers

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“If you&#8217;re not paying for the product, you are the product.”<cite>Andrew Lewis</cite></blockquote>



When the 2020 documentary, ‘<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11464826/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">The Social Dilemma</a>,’ directed by Jeff Orlowski, dropped on Netflix, it sounded the alarm bell that was already ringing loudly. It highlighted the familiar quote among millions of viewers globally by driving the point of how Big Tech has been misusing our data without our consent.



The documentary came in a backdrop of tumultuous times &#8211; with the CEOs of Google, Facebook, and Twitter questioned by the US Senate Judiciary and Senate Commerce Committees. If you had followed the Facebook hearings minutely, you must have frequently come across the term ‘cross-website tracking’. 



During one such grilling session, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley questioned Facebook (now Meta) CEO Mark Zuckerberg about a tentative internal tool named ‘Centra.’ The tool purportedly tracked all Facebook users across the internet.&nbsp;



While tracking user activity was not an alien concept, very few could grasp its implications and the extent to which it is used. With the Facebook hearings and the viral Netflix documentary, suddenly, it was out in the open. The practice of cross-site tracking ushered in serious privacy concerns and rightly so among the billions of internet users worldwide. In this article, we will try to understand cross website tracking, its impact on user privacy, and how to minimize its effects.







<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Cross_Website_Tracking">1 What is Cross Website Tracking?</a></li><li><a href="#How_Does_Cross_Website_Tracking_Work">2 How Does Cross Website Tracking Work?</a><ul><li><a href="#Cookies">2.1 Cookies</a></li><li><a href="#Web_Beacons">2.2 Web Beacons</a></li><li><a href="#Canvas_Fingerprinting">2.3 Canvas Fingerprinting</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_Purpose_of_Cross_Website_Tracking">3 What is the Purpose of Cross Website Tracking?</a><ul><li><a href="#Website_Analytics">3.1 Website Analytics</a></li><li><a href="#Website_Performance">3.2 Website Performance</a></li><li><a href="#Advertising">3.3 Advertising</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#When_Does_it_Become_Potentially_Problematic">4 When Does it Become Potentially Problematic?</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Stop_Cross_Website_Tracking">5 How to Stop Cross Website Tracking?</a></li><li><a href="#To_Conclude">6 To Conclude</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-cross-website-tracking">What is Cross Website Tracking?</h2>



It is precisely what its name entails! Cross website tracking refers to the practice of advertisers, businesses, and other digital agencies and entities tracking your online activity to monitor your browsing habits. The website visited by the user primarily does the tracking, but third-party apps can also gather and access this data. There are multiple reasons to justify this practice &#8211; product improvement, personalized user experience, and targetted advertising. Cross website tracking eases your experience by remembering basic information, like your language preferences. It also makes browsing easier and publisher service better.&nbsp;



While Big Tech and other agencies portray cross website tracking as an innocuous marketing act, it also poses some serious privacy threats. For one, it is a breach of privacy when websites engage in cross-site tracking without seeking consent from the users. Secondly, very few websites offer information in layman’s terms regarding how they will use the collected user data. Hence, unless you are willing to wade through the technical terms of every website you visit, it might be impossible to understand where your data might end up.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-how-does-cross-website-tracking-work">How Does Cross Website Tracking Work?</h2>



So, how exactly do websites track your browsing behavior? Well, any user browsing the web often has trackers pursuing them and keeping a log of every activity. This is achieved with the help of widgets, scripts, or minuscule images embedded on any website user visits. While visiting many websites, you have surely noticed those social media buttons embedded there. Sure, most of the time, they are included for the sites to gain useful analytics regarding their content. But the concerning issue is they also send your data back to those platforms to create user profiles for targeted advertisements.&nbsp;



Some of the most commonly used web tracking systems and web trackers are:&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-cookies">Cookies</h3>



Cookies are the primary tools used by websites in the process of cross-website tracking. It is quite an ingenious concept. You visit a website, and a small packet of data is transferred to your device’s browser courtesy of your <a href="https://www.hostinger.in/tutorials/what-is-a-web-server" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">web server</a>. This small packet is called a computer cookie aka web, internet, browser, or HTTP cookie. Cookies are designed specially to memorize your browsing information and online activity. 



Cookies work in a simple manner:



<ul><li>The browser requests a web page from the web server</li><li>The server transmits the page along with a cookie</li><li>The cookie gets stored in the hard drive of your device</li></ul>



There are three different types of cookies:



<ul><li>Persistent cookie</li><li>First-party or session cookie</li><li>Third-party cookie</li></ul>



While the first two types of cookies are generally used to boost your browsing experience by remembering your passwords and language preferences, it is the third type you should be wary of. Persistent cookies come with an expiration date, and session cookies are temporary ones that get deleted with the closing of your browser. But the third-party cookie that keeps track of your online behavior is the tracking cookie.



<h3 id="h-web-beacons">Web Beacons</h3>



Web beacons are used as a single-pixel transparent graphic image by a website to log user behavior. They work similarly to cookies to monitor user browsing habits and navigation for advertising and analytics purposes. One such web beacon is the Facebook Pixel, enjoying a ubiquitous presence in your browsing activities. It tracks almost every aspect of your web browsing activity and aids advertisers in putting up targeted ads for you or others exhibiting similar behavior. Beacons also enable IP address tracking in emails by logging the exact time and date as well as your IP address when you open any mail embedded with a beacon.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-canvas-fingerprinting">Canvas Fingerprinting</h3>



The practice of websites deciphering how the user’s browser responds to graphical instructions is known as canvas fingerprinting. Any website with this feature can direct your browser to draw a hidden image. This particular image varies with the individual’s device, graphics card, and hardware settings, resulting in the rendition of a unique image for every user. The distinctive image acts as a unique digital fingerprint for every user and can provide accurate information when coupled with other tracking data.&nbsp;



HTML5, the latest version of the coding language HTML, was developed for animations and drawing graphics on websites. However, it includes canvas fingerprinting, resulting in its co-opting of it as an effective tracking and fingerprinting tool.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-what-is-the-purpose-of-cross-website-tracking">What is the Purpose of Cross Website Tracking?</h2>



There are many legit reasons for websites to keep track of user activity. Most sites do it to boost website performances and personalize user experience. Let’s say that you are into reading books and watching movies at leisure. So, won’t you prefer advertisements from streaming services and publishing houses over furniture and bedsheets? This is exactly achieved through cross website tracking that allows targeted advertising based on the browsing behavior of any user.&nbsp;



Some of the primary reasons behind cross-website tracking are:



<h3 id="h-website-analytics">Website Analytics</h3>



Almost all websites glean user information by using analytics software to gauge how customers use their site and get visitors&#8217; demographics. Information like how visitors arrive on the site and the number of pages they visit help the owners make important business decisions and optimize the site.&nbsp;



For easier understanding, let us take the example of any news publishing website. When publishers notice that most visitors are hitting upon one story only, they opt for better interlinking between posts. It will make the other stories easily accessible too and increase the website’s overall views and footfalls.&nbsp;



Google Analytics makes for the most commonly used analytics software on the internet. With an estimated client base of 29 million sites, Google Analytics is in use in <a href="https://trends.builtwith.com/analytics/Google-Analytics">88.5%</a> of the top 10,000 sites.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-website-performance">Website Performance</h3>



Many websites require some tracking to perform the intended way. YouTube might make the best case for this. When you are watching YouTube videos, you will find the algorithm recommending videos you might want to view next. This feature is only possible because YouTube tracks your behavior on the platform and on other sites to recommend the best possible options for you.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-advertising">Advertising</h3>



User-based target advertising is possibly the primary reason behind cross-website tracking. The adverts you come across on the internet are primarily because of the <a href="https://leadgenapp.io/data-collection-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data collection</a> by websites based on your location, search interests, browser history, and even the time of the day you prefer to visit certain sites. Retargeting is another common practice where you see a barrage of adverts for products similar to something you might have searched for a while ago. To make your ads stand out and capture your audience&#8217;s attention, consider using After Effects templates from Videvo. These <a href="https://www.videvo.net/after-effects-templates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">professionally designed templates</a> can help create visually stunning and engaging advertisements for your brand. By incorporating eye-catching animations and motion graphics, you can elevate your advertising efforts and make a lasting impression on your target audience.



Again, Google has cemented its place at the top with Google AdSense, the largest web-advertising network.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-when-does-it-become-potentially-problematic">When Does it Become Potentially Problematic?</h2>



While cross-website tracking essentially has its list of pros, security and privacy concerns are a major red flag. Not knowing how much of your data is being collected or its purpose can be a legitimate concern in today&#8217;s digital world. Third-parties like affiliate and advertising networks and data brokers often use cookies and web beacons to collect our data without consent. Lack of transparency in the process and often without the consent of users are some serious concerns that need to be addressed immediately when it comes to this practice.&nbsp;



However, <a href="https://gdpr-info.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)</a> in Europe and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) are taking heed of these grave concerns and have developed a set of regulations. GDPR requires websites to provide users with opt-in consent forms before collecting personal user data. The websites cannot use pre-ticked boxes in such consent forms, which ensures users take positive steps to provide permission. Also, websites are required to provide users with the option to withdraw their consent any time they want, even if they have initially consented to use their personal data. 



CCPA, while not making it necessary to provide opt-in consent forms, mandates websites to mention upfront how the collected user data will be used and the parties they will be available to. Upcoming regulations will also allow users to view the data collected and the right to get them deleted if they feel so.



<h2 id="h-how-to-stop-cross-website-tracking">How to Stop Cross Website Tracking?</h2>



Well, yes, there are steps you can take to fight this practice and even prevent websites from tracking and storing your data. While if you are based in the European Union (EU) or California, USA, there are strong regulations that prohibit tracking user data without explicit consent. However, if you are from a country that does not have strict regulations in place, you can optimize your browser settings to prevent cross-website tracking.&nbsp;



If you are someone who has legitimate privacy concerns regarding cross-site tracking and finds it intrusive, here are some of the steps you can take to prevent cross-site tracking:



<ol><li>How to prevent cross-site tracking in Chrome?</li></ol>



For computers and laptops &#8211;



<ul><li>Open the Chrome browser and go to Settings</li><li>Click Cookies and other site data under the Privacy and security option</li><li>Turn Send a “Do not track” request with your browsing traffic off</li></ul>



For mobile phones &#8211; 



<ul><li>Open the Chrome app on your android device and go to Settings</li><li>Tap Do Not Track under Privacy and security</li><li>Turn the setting off</li></ul>







<ol start="2"><li>How to prevent cross-site tracking in Firefox?</li></ol>



Firefox has an in-built Private Browsing with Tracking Protection feature that prevents third parties from tracking your browsing activity across multiple websites. You can enable it with the following steps:



<ul><li>Open the Firefox browser and go to Settings</li><li>Tap on the Privacy and Security panel</li><li>Select the Custom radio button under Enhanced Tracking Protection to select what to block</li><li>Tick the Cookies checkbox (Cross-site and social media trackers is the default setting)</li><li>Close the about: preferences page</li></ul>







<ol start="3"><li>How to prevent cross-site tracking in iOS devices?</li></ol>



For Macbooks and PCs &#8211; 



<ul><li>Open the Safari browser on your Mac</li><li>Go to Safari &gt; Preferences and tap on Privacy</li><li>Select Prevent cross-site tracking</li></ul>



For iPhone and iPad &#8211; 



<ul><li>Go to Settings on your iPhone/iPad</li><li>Scroll down until you find Safari and tap on it</li><li>Tap the slider and turn on Prevent Cross-site Tracking under PRIVACY &amp; SECURITY</li></ul>







<h2 id="h-to-conclude">To Conclude</h2>



It is often claimed that data is possibly the most valuable resource today. As aptly put by the Former Global Head of Research and Senior Vice-President of Gartner, Inc., Peter Sondergaard, “Information is the oil of the 21st century, and analytics is the combustion engine.” While the debate whether data has surpassed oil or gold in value and importance is raging on, it is undeniable that data plays a major role in today’s world of digital information.&nbsp;



Hence, it is imperative that billions of internet users worldwide pay attention to their data being tracked and stored. Even though cross-website tracking may have a lot of things going for it, tracking and making your data available to third parties without any transparency or consent is a legitimate concern. To ensure a healthy trade-off, it is critical that the concerns of users are acknowledged, fully informed regarding the use of their personal information, and given a choice to not opt for sharing any data.&nbsp;