Cookie Policy
Effective Date: [Insert Effective Date] · Last Updated: [Insert Date]
1. Introduction
Welcome to [Insert Business Name] ("we," "our," or "us"). We use cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website [Insert Website URL] (the "Website") to enable core functionality, improve your shopping experience, and deliver relevant advertising. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them, the third-party services that set cookies on our site, and your choices regarding cookies. By continuing to use our Website, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy. You may withdraw consent at any time by following the opt-out instructions in Section 8.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognize your device, store your preferences, track how you interact with the site, and enable certain features. Cookies may be set by us ("first-party cookies") or by third-party services we use ("third-party cookies").
3. Types of Cookies We Use
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Essential / Strictly Necessary Cookies: Required for the Website to function. They enable core features like shopping cart management, checkout processing, and security. These cookies cannot be disabled without impairing core functionality.
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Functionality Cookies: Remember your preferences and personalize your experience, such as language settings or previously viewed items.
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Analytics & Performance Cookies: Collect information about how visitors use our Website. We use Google Analytics for this purpose (see Section 5).
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Advertising & Targeting Cookies: Used to deliver advertisements relevant to you and your interests. We use Google Ads and Google Remarketing for this purpose (see Section 5).
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Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser.
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Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a defined period or until you delete them.
4. First-Party Cookies We Set
The table below reflects a typical Shopify-hosted store. Adjust to match your platform.
|
Cookie Name |
Purpose |
Type |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
shopify_* |
Platform functionality, cart, session management |
Essential |
Varies |
|
cart |
Stores your shopping cart contents |
Essential |
Session / 2 weeks |
|
_secure_session_id |
Secure session identification |
Essential |
Session |
|
cookie_consent |
Stores your cookie consent preferences |
Functionality |
1 year |
|
_shopify_y |
Analytics — unique visitor tracking |
Analytics |
1 year |
|
_shopify_s |
Analytics — session tracking |
Analytics |
30 minutes |
5. Third-Party Cookies
We use the following third-party services that may set cookies on your device:
5a. Google Analytics. We use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google LLC ("Google"), to understand how visitors interact with our Website. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information such as: pages visited and time spent on each page; referring website or search engine; browser type, device type, and operating system; general geographic location (country/region — not precise location); how users navigate through the Website.
|
Cookie Name |
Purpose |
Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
_ga |
Distinguishes unique users — assigns a randomly generated client identifier |
2 years |
|
_ga_[container_id] |
Used to persist session state for Google Analytics 4 |
2 years |
|
_gid |
Distinguishes users — stores and updates a unique value for each page visited |
24 hours |
|
_gat |
Used to throttle request rate to Google Analytics |
1 minute |
|
_gac_* |
Contains campaign-related information — used when Google Ads is linked to Analytics |
90 days |
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking at any time by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. For more information, visit: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.
5b. Google Ads (Google Advertising Cookies). We use Google Ads to advertise our products and services. Google Ads uses cookies to track conversions and to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns.
|
Cookie Name |
Purpose |
Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
IDE |
Used by Google DoubleClick to register and report actions after viewing/clicking an ad |
1–2 years |
|
_gcl_au |
Used to experiment with advertisement efficiency and store conversion tracking |
90 days |
|
_gcl_aw |
Stores Google Click ID (gclid) for conversion measurement |
90 days |
To opt out of Google Ads personalization, visit: https://optout.google.com/ or https://adssettings.google.com/.
5c. Google Remarketing. We use Google Remarketing (a feature of Google Ads) to show advertisements to people who have previously visited our Website. Remarketing cookies track: pages you visited on our Website; products you viewed or added to cart; whether you completed a purchase. We do not use remarketing to collect personally identifiable information. To opt out of interest-based advertising from Google: visit Google's opt-out page; use the Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out tool; use the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out tool.
5d. Platform Provider. Our Website is hosted on [Insert platform, e.g., Shopify]. The platform sets cookies to support functionality including payment processing, fraud prevention, checkout, and its own analytics. For more information, see the platform's Cookie Policy.
6. How We Use Cookie Data
We use data collected via cookies to: operate and maintain the Website; process orders and manage checkout; understand how visitors use the Website; measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns; serve relevant advertisements to you on other websites (remarketing); detect and prevent fraud and security threats; and remember your preferences. We do not sell cookie data to third parties. Cookie data shared with Google is governed by Google's Privacy Policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy.
7. Managing Cookies — Your Choices
Browser Settings. You can manage, block, or delete cookies through your browser settings (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge). Note: Disabling essential cookies may prevent you from adding items to your cart or completing checkout.
Google-Specific Opt-Outs. Google Analytics: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on. Google Ads / Remarketing: optout.google.com | Manage Ad Settings. Interest-Based Ads (Industry-Wide): AboutAds.info opt-out | NAI opt-out.
8. California Residents — CCPA / CPRA
If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). Your rights include: the Right to Know what personal information we collect; the Right to Opt Out of Sale/Sharing (use of advertising and remarketing cookies may constitute sharing of personal information under California law); the Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information; and the Right to Non-Discrimination. To submit a "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" request, please visit our Your Privacy Choices page or contact us at [Insert Email].
9. Do Not Track
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature. Our Website does not currently respond to DNT signals because no uniform standard has been established. However, you can use the opt-out mechanisms described in Section 8 to control tracking.
10. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, applicable law, or our data practices. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.
11. Contact Us
[Insert Business Name]
Address: [Insert Business Address]
Email: [Insert Email]
Phone: [Insert Phone Number]
Website: [Insert Website URL]