What is Microsoft Clarity?
Microsoft Clarity is a free website analytics platform that helps businesses understand how visitors interact with their websites.
Unlike traditional analytics tools that primarily report traffic and conversion data, Microsoft Clarity also includes features such as session recordings and heatmaps, allowing website owners to visualize visitor behavior and identify opportunities to improve the user experience.
What information does Microsoft Clarity collect?
Depending on how it's configured, Microsoft Clarity may collect information such as:
• Pages visited
• Clicks and scrolling behavior
• Mouse movement
• Device and browser information
• Approximate geographic location
• Session recordings
• Heatmap data
• Technical information about the visitor's device and browser
Microsoft states that Clarity is designed to help businesses understand website usability while incorporating measures to mask or exclude certain sensitive information. However, organizations should evaluate how Clarity is configured and how it fits within their overall privacy strategy.
Does Microsoft Clarity require visitor consent?
It depends.
Whether visitor consent is required depends on several factors, including:
• The privacy laws that apply to your business.
• Where your website visitors are located.
• How Microsoft Clarity is configured.
• Whether visitor information is collected before consent has been obtained.
Many organizations use a Consent Management Platform (CMP) to control when Microsoft Clarity loads and begins collecting information based on a visitor's consent preferences.
Why has Microsoft Clarity received attention?
In recent years, website session recording technologies—including Microsoft Clarity and similar tools—have been referenced in lawsuits involving evolving privacy laws.
These cases generally focus on how information is collected, whether visitors were given appropriate notice or consent, and how third-party technologies operate on a website. Because litigation continues to evolve, businesses should consult qualified legal counsel regarding their specific legal obligations.
The existence of these lawsuits does not mean that Microsoft Clarity is prohibited or inappropriate for every website. Many organizations continue to use Clarity as part of their website analytics strategy while reviewing how it is implemented.
Should I remove Microsoft Clarity?
Not necessarily.
Microsoft Clarity can provide valuable insights into how visitors use your website. Rather than removing the platform entirely, many organizations review how it is configured, evaluate applicable privacy requirements, and implement consent management where appropriate.
Related Resources
• Google Analytics
• Microsoft UET Consent Mode
• Microsoft Clarity
• California Privacy Laws
• GDPR
What does this mean for your website?
The technologies your website needs depend on your business goals.
Some organizations may only use basic analytics. Others rely on advertising platforms, appointment scheduling, live chat, embedded videos, or customer communication tools.
The key is understanding what each technology does, what information it collects, and how it fits into your overall privacy strategy.
How One Eleven Web Design can help.
We help businesses identify the technologies installed on their websites and implement them responsibly.
Our services include:
• Website technology reviews
• Privacy-focused implementation
• Consent Management Platform (CMP) setup
• Google Consent Mode configuration
• Cookie and tracking technology reviews
• Ongoing website privacy management
We focus on implementing the technology while working alongside your legal or compliance advisors when appropriate.
Need help implementing website technologies?
Whether you're adding analytics, configuring consent tools, reviewing third-party services, or simply trying to understand what's running on your website, we're here to help.
One Eleven Web Design helps businesses evaluate, implement, and manage the technologies that power modern websites—balancing performance, functionality, visitor privacy, and long-term maintainability.
Schedule a Website Technology Review →
Legal notice
One Eleven Web Design helps businesses implement website privacy and accessibility solutions, but we are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. The information in this Resource Center is provided for general educational purposes only. Because privacy laws, regulations, and court decisions continue to evolve, businesses should consult qualified legal counsel regarding their specific compliance obligations.
