Cookie Policy
Last Updated: August 30, 2026
1. What Are Cookies?
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 and provide information to website owners. Cookies can be "persistent" or "session" cookies. Persistent cookies remain on your device after you close your browser, while session cookies are deleted when you close your browser.
2. How We Use Cookies
When you visit our website, we use cookies to:
- Remember your cookie consent preferences
- Understand how you use our website (subject to your cookie choices)
- Analyze website traffic and user behavior (subject to your cookie choices)
- Improve our website and user experience
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Necessary Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies (and equivalent browser storage) are essential for the website to function properly. They enable basic features like storing your cookie consent preferences and remembering interface choices. They do not store any personally identifiable information and are always active (they are not controlled by the consent banner). You can still block cookies and site storage in your browser settings, but doing so may break core functionality.
| Name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| cookie-consent | Cookie | Stores your cookie preferences | 12 months |
| ffc-sister-site-banner-dismissed-v1 | Local storage | Remembers that you dismissed the “looking for a free site or to donate?” banner so it stays hidden. No personal data; never leaves your device. | Until cleared |
3.2 Analytics Cookies (Consent-Governed)
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. We use this information to improve our website and user experience.
When we ask permission first
We use Google Consent Mode. Which default applies is determined by Google from your IP address at the time of your visit (IP geolocation is approximate). If you are in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, our analytics sets no cookies and no cookie-based identifiers until you accept. It still counts your visit in an aggregate, cookie-free way so we know how many people used the site — that measurement cannot be tied back to you or to your next visit.
Everywhere else, including the United States, analytics cookies are set from your first visit. You can turn them off at any time using the Manage Cookie Preferences link in our footer, and we will delete the cookies listed below when you do.
Google Analytics loads via our Google Tag Manager container (and, where configured, a direct Google Analytics tag); Microsoft Clarity is delivered through the same container, which receives the analytics consent state you choose. Declining — or withdrawing later via the footer link — turns cookie-based Google measurement off and deletes the cookies these services set on this site.
Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. We use Google Analytics to understand how users interact with our website.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
| _ga_* | Maintains session state | 2 years |
| _gid | Distinguishes users | 24 hours |
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Microsoft Clarity
Microsoft Clarity is a user behavior analytics tool that helps us understand how users interact with our website through session recordings and heatmaps.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _clck | Persists Clarity User ID | 1 year |
| _clsk | Session cookie | 1 day |
Privacy Policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/privacystatement
3.3 Marketing Cookies (Requires Consent)
These cookies are used to track visitors across websites. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for users and thereby more valuable for publishers and advertisers.
We do not currently use any marketing or advertising trackers. The marketing preference is reserved in case we add one in the future; if we do, we will list it here and it will load only with your consent.
4. How to Manage Cookies
You have several options for managing cookies:
4.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner. You can:
- Accept All: Allow all cookies including analytics and marketing
- Decline All: Only essential cookies will be used
- Customize: Choose which types of cookies you want to allow
4.2 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:
- View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
- Block third-party cookies
- Block all cookies from specific websites
- Block all cookies from being set
- Delete all cookies when you close your browser
Please note that if you block all cookies, you may not be able to use all features of our website.
4.3 Opt-Out Links
Declining analytics in the consent banner — or withdrawing consent later via the Manage Cookie Preferences link in the footer — deletes the analytics cookies this site set (including Microsoft Clarity's) and returns Google Analytics to aggregate, cookie-free measurement; Microsoft Clarity's tag is managed in our Google Tag Manager container, which receives your declined consent state. For Google Analytics, you can also opt out browser-wide:
- Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
Microsoft Clarity does not offer a separate opt-out add-on; declining analytics in the consent banner is how you opt out of it. We do not use advertising or social-media trackers, so there are no marketing opt-out links to provide.
5. Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control
We do not sell or share personal information as those terms are defined by the CCPA/CPRA, so there is nothing for a Global Privacy Control or Do Not Track signal to opt out of, and this site does not read those browser signals. Note that analytics cookies are set automatically for visitors outside the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland (see Section 3.2); any visitor, anywhere, can turn them off at any time via the Manage Cookie Preferences link in the footer, and we delete the cookies when you do.
6. Updates 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. Please review this policy periodically for changes.
7. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:
8. More Information
For more information about how we handle your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.