What is a Digital Footprint? A Simple Guide

Definition of a Digital Footprint

A digital footprint is the collection of data you leave behind online. It can be as obvious as a social media post or as invisible as the GPS coordinates stored in your photos. Every click, share, or upload contributes to this trail.

The Two Types of Digital Footprints

Digital footprints can be categorized into two main types, each created in different ways.

Active Digital Footprint

This is the footprint you create intentionally - like posting on Instagram, uploading to Google Photos, or commenting on a friend’s blog. It’s the data you choose to put out into the world.

Passive Digital Footprint

This is the trail you don’t actively create, but is collected anyway. Think cookies that track your browsing history, location services that log your movements, or metadata attached to your files.

Why Your Digital Footprint Is More Than Just Data

While many people think of footprints only in terms of privacy risks, they’re also about meaning. Over time, they become a record of your life. But without curation, this record is fragmented and hard to enjoy.

How Mae Transforms Your Digital Footprint Into a Family Story

Mae helps families take control of their digital footprints by curating memories into cohesive collections. Instead of a scattered trail of data, you’re left with a story you can share, enjoy, and pass down. For examples of how footprints are created daily, see our post How Is a Digital Footprint Created?