Cookie Policy

Effective Date: August 24, 2024

Last Updated: August 24, 2024

This Cookie Policy explains how Gag Green Bean ("we," "our," or "us") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website gaggreenbean.org (the "Site"). This policy explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control their use.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored 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 about how users interact with their sites.

Types of Cookies We Use

We use several types of cookies on our Site:

🍪 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable basic features like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Examples: Session cookies, security cookies

📊 Analytics Cookies

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

Examples: Google Analytics cookies

🎯 Advertising Cookies

These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you and your interests. They may be set by advertising partners through our site.

Examples: Google AdSense cookies

⚙️ Functional Cookies

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

Examples: Language preferences, theme selection

Specific Cookies We Use

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and user behavior. This service uses cookies to collect information about how you use our Site, including:

Pages visited and time spent on each page
How you arrived at our Site (referral source)
Your general geographic location
Device and browser information

Google Analytics Cookies

_ga: Distinguishes unique users (expires after 2 years)
_ga_[container-id]: Stores session state (expires after 2 years)
_gid: Distinguishes users (expires after 24 hours)
_gat: Throttles request rate (expires after 1 minute)

Opt-out: You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Google AdSense

We use Google AdSense to display relevant advertisements on our Site. AdSense uses cookies to serve ads based on your visits to our Site and other websites.

AdSense Cookies

__gads: Measures ad performance and provides ads based on previous visits
__gpi: Collects information on user behavior for advertising purposes
DSID: Used to identify a signed-in user on non-Google sites
IDE: Used to measure ad effectiveness and provide more relevant ads

Opt-out: You can control ad personalization through your Google Ad Settings or opt out of personalized advertising by visiting aboutads.info.

Social Media Cookies

If we include social media sharing buttons or embedded content from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, these services may set their own cookies when you interact with their content.

Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies for several important purposes:

🔧 Website Functionality

Remember your preferences and settings
Maintain your login status (if applicable)
Ensure security and prevent fraud
Enable basic website features

📈 Analytics and Improvement

Understand how visitors use our website
Identify popular content and improve user experience
Track website performance and loading times
Measure the effectiveness of our content

💰 Advertising and Monetization

Display relevant advertisements to support our free content
Measure ad effectiveness and performance
Provide ads that match your interests
Support our mission to provide free gardening resources

Your Cookie Choices and Rights

Browser Settings

Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can modify your browser settings to decline cookies if you prefer. Here's how to manage cookies in popular browsers:

Chrome

Click the three dots menu → Settings
Click "Privacy and security" → "Cookies and other site data"
Choose your preferred cookie settings

Firefox

Click the menu button → Options
Select "Privacy & Security"
In the "Cookies and Site Data" section, adjust settings

Safari

Click Safari → Preferences
Click the "Privacy" tab
Choose your cookie preferences

Edge

Click the three dots menu → Settings
Click "Cookies and site permissions"
Click "Cookies and site data" to manage settings

Cookie Categories and Controls

✅ Essential Cookies

Always Active: These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services.

📊 Analytics Cookies

Optional: These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. You can opt out through:

Browser cookie settings
Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on

🎯 Advertising Cookies

Optional: These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. You can control these through:

Third-Party Services

Our website uses several third-party services that may set their own cookies:

Google Services

Google Analytics: Website analytics and reporting
Google AdSense: Advertising services
Google Fonts: Web fonts (may set cookies for font loading optimization)

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

CDN services may set performance and security cookies
These help deliver our content more efficiently to you

Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you choose to disable cookies, some features of our website may not function properly:

Analytics: We won't be able to track website usage and improve user experience
Personalization: The site won't remember your preferences
Advertising: You may see less relevant ads, but ads will still be displayed
Performance: Some features may load more slowly

However, the core content and gardening information will remain fully accessible.

Mobile Devices

Mobile browsers also allow you to control cookies. Check your mobile browser's help section for specific instructions. Additionally, you can control advertising tracking on mobile devices:

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising → Personalized Ads (turn off)

Android

Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization

International Users

European Union (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have specific rights regarding cookies:

Right to be informed about our cookie use
Right to consent to non-essential cookies
Right to withdraw consent at any time
Right to object to processing for marketing purposes

California (CCPA)

California residents have the right to know about personal information collected through cookies and can request that we do not sell their personal information.

Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by:

Posting the new Cookie Policy on this page
Updating the "Last Updated" date
Providing notice through our website or newsletter for significant changes

Contact Information

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

Contact Details

Website: gaggreenbean.org

Email: privacy@gaggreenbean.org

Contact Form: Contact Us

Useful Resources

For more information about cookies and how to manage them, visit these resources:

🍪 Cookie Consent Summary

By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of essential cookies. You can opt out of non-essential cookies (analytics and advertising) through your browser settings or the links provided in this policy.

Remember: Our goal is to provide valuable gardening content while respecting your privacy choices. All cookies help us improve your experience and support our free resources.