🍪 Cookie Policy

Understanding how we use cookies and similar technologies

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

📋 Table of Contents

  • 1. What Are Cookies?
  • 2. Types of Cookies We Use
  • 3. Essential Cookies
  • 4. Analytics Cookies
  • 5. Advertising Cookies
  • 6. Third-Party Cookies
  • 7. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
  • 8. Browser Cookie Settings
  • 9. Mobile Device Settings
  • 10. Updates to This Policy
  • 11. Contact Us

This Cookie Policy explains how GAG Recipes ("we," "our," or "us") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website helixmetrics.link. This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

By using our website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy. You can manage your cookie preferences at any time through your browser settings.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

Types of Tracking Technologies We Use:

  • Cookies: Small text files stored on your device by your web browser
  • Local Storage: Larger data storage in your browser for user preferences and settings
  • Session Storage: Temporary storage that exists only during your browsing session
  • Web Beacons: Small transparent images used in conjunction with cookies to track user behavior
  • Pixels: Tracking codes that help us understand how you interact with our content

2. Types of Cookies We Use

We categorize our cookies into the following types based on their purpose and functionality:

🔧 Essential Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled in our systems.

📊 Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

🎯 Advertising Cookies

These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are relevant to you and your interests, including Google AdSense ads.

⚙️ Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences.

3. Essential Cookies

Essential cookies are crucial for basic website functionality. They enable core features such as security, network management, and accessibility.

Cookie Name Purpose Duration Type
gag_session Maintains your session state and security Session HTTP
csrf_token Security protection against cross-site request forgery Session HTTP
user_preferences Stores your accessibility settings and display preferences 1 year Local Storage
chat_history Maintains your chat conversation history 30 days Local Storage

4. Analytics Cookies

We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our website, which pages are most popular, and how we can improve the user experience.

Analytics Services We Use:

📈 Google Analytics

Helps us understand website traffic and user behavior patterns.

Cookie Name Purpose Duration
_ga Distinguishes unique users 2 years
_ga_* Google Analytics 4 property-specific cookie 2 years
_gid Distinguishes unique users (short term) 24 hours
_gat Throttles request rate 1 minute

📊 Plausible Analytics

Privacy-focused analytics service that doesn't use cookies but tracks page views anonymously.

  • No cookies stored
  • No personal data collected
  • GDPR, CCPA, and PECR compliant
  • Data is aggregated and anonymous

5. Advertising Cookies

We use advertising cookies to display relevant ads and measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns. These cookies help support our free content and services.

🎯 Google AdSense

Google AdSense displays contextually relevant advertisements on our website based on your browsing behavior and interests.

Cookie Name Purpose Duration
__gads Registers a unique ID for advertising purposes 2 years
__gpi Collects information on user behavior for advertising 2 years
GoogleAdServingTest Tests if the browser accepts cookies Session
IDE Used for targeted advertising across the web 2 years
test_cookie Tests if the browser accepts cookies 15 minutes

Important Information About Google AdSense:

  • Google may use your data to personalize ads across their network
  • You can opt out of personalized advertising at Google Ad Settings
  • Google's privacy policy applies: Google Privacy Policy
  • AdSense cookies may be used to build interest profiles for advertising

🛡️ Your Advertising Consent Rights

Under GDPR and other privacy regulations, you have the right to:

  • Consent to or reject non-essential advertising cookies
  • Withdraw your consent at any time
  • Opt out of personalized advertising
  • Access and delete advertising data collected about you

6. Third-Party Cookies

Our website may contain embedded content or links to third-party services that set their own cookies:

Third Party Service Purpose Privacy Policy
Google AdSense, Analytics, Tag Manager Advertising, Analytics, Conversion tracking Google Privacy
YouTube Video Embeds Video content delivery Google Privacy
Plausible Analytics Privacy-focused website analytics Plausible Privacy
Discord Community Links Community engagement Discord Privacy

Important: We do not control third-party cookies. Please review the privacy policies of these services for detailed information about their data practices.

7. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options for managing cookies on our website:

🎛️ Website Cookie Controls

  • Essential Cookies: Cannot be disabled as they are necessary for website functionality
  • Analytics Cookies: Can be disabled through browser settings
  • Advertising Cookies: Can be controlled through browser settings or Google Ad Settings
  • Local Storage: Managed through browser settings

⚠️ Impact of Disabling Cookies

Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality:

  • User preferences may not be saved
  • Chat history may not persist
  • Some features may not work properly
  • You may see less relevant advertising

8. Browser Cookie Settings

You can manage cookies directly through your web browser settings. Here's how to do it in popular browsers:

🌐 Google Chrome

Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data

🦊 Mozilla Firefox

Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data

🧭 Safari

Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data

📘 Microsoft Edge

Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data

🎭 Opera

Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies

🔒 Brave

Settings → Shields → Cookies and other site data

Additional Cookie Control Options:

  • Google Ad Settings: Manage personalized ads
  • Network Advertising Initiative: NAI Consumer Opt-Out
  • Digital Advertising Alliance: DAA WebChoices Tool
  • European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance: Your Online Choices

9. Mobile Device Settings

For mobile devices, you can manage tracking preferences through your device settings:

📱 iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising → Personalized Ads

🤖 Android

Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization

You can also reset your advertising ID or limit ad tracking through these device settings.

10. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will:

  • Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
  • Notify users of significant changes through website announcements
  • Provide clear information about new cookies or tracking technologies
  • Obtain consent for new non-essential cookies where required by law

Your continued use of our website after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Cookie Policy.

11. Contact Us

📧 Questions About Cookies?

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy, our use of cookies, or want to exercise your rights regarding cookies and tracking, please contact us:

  • Website: helixmetrics.link
  • Contact Method: Use our website feedback system or chat feature
  • Subject: Cookie Policy Inquiry
  • Response Time: We aim to respond within 48 hours

We are committed to transparency about our cookie usage and will help you understand and manage your cookie preferences.

🍪 Our Cookie Commitment

At GAG Recipes, we believe in transparency and user control. We use cookies responsibly to enhance your gaming recipe experience while respecting your privacy choices. Our cookie practices are designed to:

  • Enhance User Experience: Remember your preferences and improve site functionality
  • Provide Relevant Content: Show you recipes and content that match your interests
  • Support Free Content: Enable advertising revenue that keeps our content free
  • Respect Your Privacy: Give you control over non-essential tracking
  • Maintain Security: Protect your interactions with our website

Thank you for trusting GAG Recipes with your Grow a Garden cooking journey!