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Countdown restarts for every new visitor
Is a countdown timer that resets for each visitor legal?
No. A fake “only for a short time” deadline is banned in the EU. A timer that restarts for each new visitor shows the deadline isn’t real. In a 2023 EU sweep, 42 of 399 shops used fake timers.
Why it matters
Claiming an offer is only available for a very limited time when it isn’t is banned outright in the EU. A timer that restarts for each new visitor is clear evidence the deadline is invented.
How to fix it
- Remove session-based or “evergreen” countdowns.
- Only count down to a real deadline that is the same for every visitor, and end the offer when it runs out.
- Re-scan: a second visitor should see the same end time.