1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They are used to remember preferences, track visits, and deliver personalized content or ads.
2. Our Approach
We use the minimum number of cookies necessary. No cookies are set until you make a choice in our cookie banner— except one small first-party cookie that stores your banner choice itself, which is exempt from consent under GDPR "strictly necessary" rules.
3. Cookies We Use
3.1 Strictly necessary (no consent required)
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
sg_consent | SerpGem (first-party) | Stores your cookie-banner choice so we don't ask you again on every page. | 12 months |
3.2 Analytics (requires consent)
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics 4 | Distinguishes unique visitors for aggregated reporting. | 2 years |
_ga_* | Google Analytics 4 | Maintains session state for analytics. | 2 years |
3.3 Advertising (requires consent)
| Cookie / Identifier | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
IDE | Google AdSense / DoubleClick | Measure ad effectiveness and serve targeted ads. | Up to 13 months |
NID, DSID | Google AdSense | Ad personalization and frequency capping. | Up to 13 months |
For the full list of cookies and identifiers used by Google's advertising services, see Google's advertising cookies documentation.
4. Managing Your Choices
You can change or withdraw consent at any time using any of these methods:
- On-site:click the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer to reopen the consent banner.
- Browser: delete cookies via your browser settings. Note that deleting
sg_consentwill cause the banner to reappear. - Google Ads: opt out of personalized ads at adssettings.google.com.
- Industry opt-outs: aboutads.info (US) · youronlinechoices.eu (EU).
5. Do Not Track
The Do Not Track (DNT) browser signal is not an industry standard and is inconsistently applied. We respect your cookie banner choice, which is the reliable opt-out mechanism.
6. Contact
Questions about cookies? Email privacy@serpgem.com.