Cookie Policy

What a cookie is

A cookie is a small text file that a site asks your browser to store. It lets the site recognise your browser on a later visit or on a later page. Cookies cannot run programs, cannot read other files on your device, and cannot carry viruses. Similar technologies such as pixels, local storage, and tracking scripts do comparable jobs, and everything on this page applies to those as well.

The cookies this site uses

Strictly necessary

These keep the site working. They handle basic functions such as security, load balancing, and remembering your cookie choices. The site cannot function properly without them, and they cannot be switched off from within the site.

Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand which guides get read, how people arrive, and where they give up. It reports in aggregate. We use it to decide what to write next, not to identify you. Analytics cookies typically persist for up to two years unless you clear them.

Affiliate tracking

When you click an affiliate link, the retailer, principally Amazon, may set a cookie so that a resulting purchase is attributed to us and a commission is credited. These are set by the retailer, not by us, and they are governed by the retailer’s own privacy and cookie policies. Attribution windows vary by program and are usually short, commonly around 24 hours for Amazon. Our Affiliate Disclosure explains the commercial side.

Preferences

If you leave a comment where commenting is enabled, WordPress may store your name, email address, and site address in a cookie so you do not have to retype them next time. These typically last for up to one year.

Third party cookies

Some cookies are set by services we use rather than by us directly. These currently include Google Analytics, Amazon Associates and any other affiliate program we participate in, and our hosting and content delivery provider. Each operates under its own privacy policy, which we encourage you to read.

How to control or remove cookies

You can block, limit, or delete cookies at any time through your browser settings. Every major browser offers this, usually under Settings, then Privacy and security. Most browsers also offer a private or incognito mode that discards cookies when you close the window, and an option to block third party cookies specifically.

• Google Chrome. Settings, then Privacy and security, then Third party cookies and Delete browsing data.
• Mozilla Firefox. Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Cookies and Site Data.
• Safari. Settings or Preferences, then Privacy, then Manage Website Data.
• Microsoft Edge. Settings, then Cookies and site permissions.
• Mobile browsers. Look under Settings, then Privacy, then Cookies or Site data.

You can also opt out of Google Analytics specifically by installing the Google Analytics Opt out Browser Add on, which Google provides for major desktop browsers.

What happens if you block them

Nothing important. You can read every guide, table, and chart on this site with analytics and affiliate cookies fully blocked. Blocking affiliate cookies simply means we will not be credited if you go on to buy something, which costs us a commission and costs you nothing.

Do Not Track

Browsers can send a Do Not Track signal, but there is still no agreed industry standard for how sites should respond to it. We do not currently alter our behaviour in response to that signal. You can achieve the same outcome, and more reliably, by blocking cookies in your browser settings.

Consent

Where the law requires consent for non essential cookies, we will ask for it before those cookies are set, and you can withdraw consent at any time through your browser settings.

Changes

If the services we use change, this page will be updated and the Last updated date at the top will change with it.

Contact

Cookie questions: hello@voltbrook.com. See also our Privacy Policy.