Growth Dives Mini 🐣 Compliance UI doesn't have to be boring.

An example of my favourite cookies banner.

H​ere’s a 2-min read: one insight, 400 words, super fast 🏎️ Read online here or download as PDF.

As I'm onboarding at my new work, I'm adding tool after tool - which means I get to see loads of product experiences with fresh eyes (and a fresh email address).

The best one I’ve seen this week is from PostHog, an analytics platform for developers, with their delightfully clear, fun cookies banner.

First, a quick primer on 🍪🍪

Cookies are small files a website saves in your browser. They hold things like your login details and records of pages you visit or products you view.

• First-party cookies are used by the site you’re on to remember you and personalise your experience.
• Third-party cookies send that data to other companies (like Meta or Google) to track you across sites for targeted ads — something people increasingly block as regulations like GDPR tighten.

For marketers, fewer cookies makes ad targeting harder. For consumers, it’s a win for privacy (it means less people will get creeped when it feels like the internet is reading your mind.).

Why does this matter for compliance design?

Most cookie banners have gone dark — confusing layouts, pushy copy, and shifty defaults designed to get you to “Accept” without thinking.

Which is why I love this PostHog example.

It’s refreshingly clear, and fun.

Here’s what works:

1. Clear, human copy: Opens with exactly what will and won’t happen to your data: “doesn’t use third party cookies — only a single in-house cookie”.
2. No jargon, or legal speak: You know instantly what you’re agreeing to. It's also SO simple that there's no option to link out to lengthy T&Cs.
3. Obvious CTAs: Just “Accept” or “Decline”. No double negatives or buried opt-outs. Both buttons are equally visible signalling trust and choice.
4. Right-sized placement: Black module is large enough to notice, but not a full-screen takeover. Leaves plenty of space to keep browsing.
5. It’s quirky and memorable: Random, hilarious cut-out image makes the interaction unexpectedly fun. This lil’ hit of novelty makes you more likely to remember the brand

It feels like a really small part of the page. But anything is a touchpoint to build trust, especially one that handles your data.

💭 One key takeaway for product teams

Compliance UI doesn’t have to be boring. Clear language + visible choice + a small dose of personality can turn an irritating banner into a brand moment.

Thank you for reading (all the way to the bottom, wow look at you go).

See you next week,

Rosie 🕺

P.S. maybe I'm out of it, but I don't know who the woman is in the image, anyone know?

​​