Cookie Policy
Last updated: June 2024
This Cookie Policy explains how ReefRoost ("ReefRoost", "we", "us", or "our"), an aquarium and fish keeping review site at reefroost.com, uses cookies, localStorage, and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website. It explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control our use of them.
What Are Cookies and localStorage?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, remember your preferences, and provide information to the site owners.
localStorage is a browser-based storage mechanism, similar to cookies, that allows websites to store data directly in your browser. Unlike cookies, localStorage data is not automatically sent to our servers with every request, but it remains on your device until it is cleared, either manually by you or programmatically by the site.
How ReefRoost Uses Cookies and localStorage
ReefRoost uses a minimal and transparent approach to tracking technologies. Specifically, we use the following:
- Consent banner preference (localStorage): When you first visit ReefRoost, you will see a cookie consent banner asking whether you accept or decline non-essential cookies. Your choice (accept or decline) is stored in your browser's localStorage. This allows us to remember your preference so you are not asked again on future visits, and so we know whether we are permitted to load analytics cookies.
- Analytics cookies (only if accepted): If you click "Accept" on our consent banner, we will load analytics cookies to help us understand how visitors use ReefRoost, for example which aquarium product reviews, care guides, and buying guides are most popular, how visitors navigate the site, and which pages may need improvement. If you click "Decline", no analytics cookies will be set, and no analytics data will be collected about your visit beyond basic, anonymized server logs required to operate the site securely.
Essential Storage vs. Non-Essential Cookies
The localStorage entry that records your consent choice is considered strictly necessary for the site to function as intended, it allows us to respect your preference and avoid repeatedly displaying the consent banner. This is not a tracking cookie and does not identify you personally.
Analytics cookies, on the other hand, are non-essential and are only activated after you provide affirmative consent through the banner. You are always free to decline these without any loss of functionality on ReefRoost.
Third-Party Cookies from Analytics
When analytics cookies are enabled (because you accepted them), ReefRoost uses a third-party analytics provider to collect aggregated, anonymized data about site usage. These third-party cookies may collect information such as:
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- Approximate geographic location (at a country or regional level)
- Device and browser type
- Referring website or search terms that led you to ReefRoost
This data helps us improve our aquarium reviews, buying guides, and fish care content. Our analytics provider may set its own cookies subject to its own privacy and cookie policies, which operate independently of ReefRoost. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party analytics service if you wish to understand their specific data practices in more detail.
We do not use cookies for advertising, retargeting, or the sale of personal data, and we do not permit third parties to use analytics cookies on ReefRoost for their own marketing purposes.
How to Withdraw or Change Your Consent
You have full control over your cookie and localStorage preferences at any time. Because your consent choice is stored locally in your browser rather than on our servers, you can withdraw or change it by clearing your browser's site data for reefroost.com. This typically involves:
- Opening your browser's settings or privacy menu
- Locating the section for cookies, site data, or privacy and security
- Finding reefroost.com in the list of sites with stored data
- Clearing or deleting the cookies and localStorage data associated with reefroost.com
Once cleared, the consent banner will appear again the next time you visit ReefRoost, allowing you to make a fresh choice about accepting or declining analytics cookies. You can also adjust your browser settings to block cookies entirely or to notify you whenever a cookie is being set, though doing so may affect how our consent banner functions.
Browser-Specific Instructions
Most major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, provide built-in tools for viewing and deleting cookies and site data on a per-website basis. These options are generally found under a menu labeled "Privacy," "Security," or "Site Settings." If you are unsure how to locate these settings, consult your browser's official help documentation for step-by-step guidance specific to your browser version and operating system.
Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" feature. Because there is currently no universally accepted standard for how websites should respond to these signals, ReefRoost does not currently respond to Do Not Track browser signals. Instead, we rely on the explicit accept or decline choice you make through our consent banner.
Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or the tools we use. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies and localStorage.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how ReefRoost handles cookies and localStorage data, please reach out to us through the contact page on reefroost.com. We are happy to help clarify our practices or address any concerns you may have.