Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They help websites remember information about your visit, making your next visit easier and the site more useful.

Types of Technologies We Use:

• Cookies: Small text files stored by your browser
• Web Beacons: Tiny graphics with unique identifiers (also called pixel tags)
• Local Storage: Data stored locally in your browser
• Session Storage: Temporary storage cleared when you close your browser

Cookie Duration:

• Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until manually deleted

Cookie Origin:

• First-Party Cookies: Set by Success Guides (our domain)
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services (Google, Cloudflare, affiliate networks)

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for several important purposes:

Essential Functions (No Consent Required):

• Enable core website functionality and security
• Maintain your session while browsing
• Remember your cookie preferences
• Prevent fraud and abuse
• Load website content efficiently

Analytics and Performance (Consent Required):

• Understand how visitors interact with our website
• Analyze which content is most popular
• Identify technical issues and improve user experience
• Measure the effectiveness of our content
• Generate aggregated statistics about site usage

Marketing and Affiliate Tracking (Consent Required):

• Track affiliate link clicks and referrals
• Understand which products and services interest you
• Measure the performance of affiliate partnerships
• Provide relevant recommendations

Functional Features (Consent Required):

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Personalize your experience
• Enable enhanced features and functionality

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Essential Cookies No Consent Required

These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function properly. They cannot be disabled and do not require your consent.

• Security Cookies: Protect against fraud, abuse, and security threats
• Session Management: Keep you logged in and maintain your browsing session
• Load Balancing: Distribute traffic across servers for optimal performance
• Cookie Consent: Remember your cookie preferences
• CSRF Protection: Prevent cross-site request forgery attacks

3.2 Analytics Cookies Consent Required

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

• Google Analytics: Track page views, user behavior, and site performance
• Usage Statistics: Understand which content is most valuable
• Technical Performance: Identify and fix technical issues
• Visitor Flow: See how users navigate through our site

3.3 Functional Cookies Consent Required

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

• User Preferences: Remember settings like font size or theme
• Language Selection: Store your preferred language
• Enhanced Features: Enable optional interactive elements

3.4 Marketing and Affiliate Cookies Consent Required

These cookies track your activity to deliver relevant advertisements and measure the success of affiliate partnerships.

• Affiliate Tracking: Track referrals to partner websites
• Interest-Based Advertising: Show relevant product recommendations
• Conversion Tracking: Measure the success of affiliate partnerships
• Retargeting: Display relevant content based on your interests

4. Third-Party Cookies

4.1 Google Sheets API

Purpose: Data collection and form submission storage

Data Collected: Information you submit through contact forms and newsletter signups

• Email addresses
• Names (if provided)
• Form submission timestamps
• Message content from contact forms

Privacy Policy:Google Privacy Policy

Cookie Duration: Session-based only (no persistent cookies)

4.2 Giscus (GitHub Discussions)

Purpose: Commenting system for articles and guides

Data Collected: GitHub account information and comments

• GitHub username
• GitHub profile information (public)
• Comment content
• Authentication data

Privacy Policy:GitHub Privacy Statement

Cookie Duration: Managed by GitHub

Note: Giscus is powered by GitHub Discussions. Your comments are publicly visible and governed by GitHub's terms.

4.3 Cloudflare Pages

Purpose: Website hosting, content delivery, and security

Data Collected: Technical information for security and performance

• IP addresses (for security and performance)
• HTTP headers and system configuration
• Network activity metadata

Privacy Policy:Cloudflare Privacy Policy

Compliance: Cloudflare participates in the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework

5. Complete Cookie List

The following table lists all cookies currently in use on the Success Guides website:

6. How to Manage Cookies

6.1 Browser Settings

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings:

• Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data

You can choose to:

• Block all cookies
• Block third-party cookies only
• Delete existing cookies
• Receive notifications when cookies are set

6.2 Cookie Preferences on Our Site

You can manage your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clicking "Cookie Settings" in our website footer
• Using the cookie consent banner on your first visit
• Contacting us at privacy@successguides.pages.dev

6.3 Global Privacy Control (GPC)

We honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals. If your browser sends a GPC signal, we will automatically:

• Disable non-essential cookies
• Block marketing and advertising cookies
• Stop data sharing for behavioral advertising

To enable GPC:

• Chrome/Edge: Install the GPC browser extension
• Firefox: Set privacy.globalprivacycontrol.enabled to true in about:config
• Brave: Settings > Shields > Global Privacy Control

6.4 Opt-Out Tools

You can opt-out of specific tracking services:

• Google Analytics:Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Your Online Choices:Industry opt-out page
• Network Advertising Initiative:NAI Opt-out

7. Cookie Consent Process

7.1 Initial Consent

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner that:

• Explains what cookies we use and why
• Provides clear options: Accept All, Reject All, or Customize
• Links to this Cookie Policy for detailed information
• Allows you to choose which categories of cookies to enable

7.2 Consent Categories

We offer granular control over cookie categories:

Always Enabled (No Consent Required):

• Essential cookies for website functionality
• Security and fraud prevention cookies

Optional (Consent Required):

• Analytics cookies - Help us improve the website
• Functional cookies - Remember your preferences
• Marketing cookies - Affiliate tracking and personalization

7.3 Withdrawing Consent

You can withdraw your consent at any time:

• Click "Cookie Settings" in our footer
• Modify your preferences
• Save your new preferences
• Contact us at privacy@successguides.pages.dev

7.4 Consent Records

We maintain records of your cookie consent choices, including:

• Date and time of consent
• Cookie preferences selected
• Method of consent (banner, settings, etc.)
• IP address (for compliance)

7.5 EU and California Compliance

This cookie consent process is designed to comply with:

• GDPR (EU): Consent is freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous
• CCPA (California): Includes "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" option
• ePrivacy Directive: Clear information before setting non-essential cookies

8. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

• Changes in our cookie usage
• Updates to third-party services
• Changes in applicable laws
• New features or functionality

When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify users of material changes via cookie banner or email
• Provide a summary of changes
• Re-request consent if required by law

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:

For specific requests:

• Cookie Deletion: Email subject: "Delete My Cookie Data"
• Cookie Preferences: Email subject: "Update Cookie Preferences"
• General Cookie Questions: Email subject: "Cookie Policy Question"

We will respond to all inquiries within 3-5 business days.