Cookies Policy
Only strictly necessary cookies — theme, language and session — are set by default. Analytics and advertising cookies do not load until you opt in, and you can change your mind at any time from the footer.
Key points at a glance
A summary for orientation only — the full policy below is what actually governs.
Functional only by default
Theme, language and session cookies. Nothing else runs until you say so.
Analytics is opt-in
Google Analytics only loads after you enable it in cookie preferences.
No fingerprinting
No cross-site tracking and no behavioural profiling — analytics is aggregate.
Blocking is fine
The tools still work; your theme and language just reset on each visit.
What a cookie is
A cookie is a small text file a site stores in your browser so it can remember something between page loads or visits — whether you chose dark mode, which language you read in, or that you are part-way through a checkout.
This policy also covers local storage and session storage, which do a similar job with different plumbing. Where we say "cookie" below, we mean all three.
Our approach
Non-essential cookies are off until you turn them on. We do not use pre-ticked boxes, we do not treat scrolling as consent, and rejecting is exactly as easy as accepting. Refusing analytics does not degrade the site — every tool works identically either way.
The cookies we set
Strictly necessary — always on
These make the site function. They cannot be switched off, and under UK/EU ePrivacy rules they do not require consent.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
theme_mode | Remembers your light or dark mode choice | 1 year |
theme_hint | JavaScript-readable copy of the above, so the page paints in the right theme immediately | 1 year |
locale | Remembers your language preference | 1 year |
laravel_session | Keeps your session while you browse; required for forms and checkout | Session |
XSRF-TOKEN | Security token that prevents cross-site request forgery on form submissions | Session |
ez_consent | Stores your cookie choices, so we stop asking | 1 year |
Analytics — opt-in
Loaded only after you enable the Analytics category.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics 4 — distinguishes browsers for aggregate visit counts | 2 years |
_ga_<ID> | Google Analytics 4 — maintains session state | 2 years |
_gid | Google Analytics — distinguishes browsers over a short window | 24 hours |
We enable IP anonymisation and do not send personally identifying information to Analytics. It tells us that a tool was used 400 times last week; it does not tell us who used it.
Advertising — opt-in
On ad-supported pages, and only after you enable the Advertising category, our ad partners may set cookies to measure impressions and clicks and to limit how often you see the same ad. The consent banner names the partners in force at the time. Refusing means you may still see ads, but they will not be personalised.
Preferences — opt-in
Used to remember non-essential conveniences such as a dismissed banner or a chosen layout, so we do not re-ask on every visit.
Browser storage that never leaves your device
Some things are kept in your browser's local storage and are never transmitted to us: saved or bookmarked tools, recently viewed items, and interface state such as a collapsed sidebar. Clearing site data removes them.
Third-party cookies
Embedded content sets its own cookies under its own policies, which we do not control. That includes YouTube and Vimeo players, payment provider frames during checkout, and any social embed. If you never interact with an embed, most providers set fewer cookies — but that behaviour is theirs, not ours.
How to control cookies
On this site
Use the banner on your first visit, or open cookie preferences from the footer at any time. Changes take effect immediately, and withdrawing consent stops future collection. Your choice is stored for one year, or until you change it.
In your browser
Every major browser lets you block or delete cookies in its privacy settings — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge and Brave all provide this, including for individual sites. Blocking everything is fine here: the tools still work, but your theme and language will reset on every visit and checkout may not complete.
Other opt-outs
- Google Analytics — the official browser opt-out add-on blocks GA on every site permanently.
- Global Privacy Control — we honour the GPC signal where your browser sends it, and treat it as a valid opt-out.
- Do Not Track — we do not rely on DNT because it was never consistently implemented. Use the controls above instead, which we do act on.
Legal basis
Strictly necessary cookies are set under our legitimate interest in delivering a service you asked for. Everything else is set only on your consent, under UK/EU GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive. You can withdraw that consent at any time.
Changes to this policy
When we add or remove a cookie we update the tables above and move the last-updated stamp. If we introduce a new category we will ask for fresh consent rather than assume the old answer still applies.
Contact
Questions about cookies or tracking: privacy@aitoolsay.com. Our wider data practices are in the Privacy Policy.
Everything you wanted to ask
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Do I have to accept cookies?
No. Only strictly necessary cookies are set by default and they cannot be switched off because the site needs them to work. Analytics and advertising are opt-in, and refusing changes nothing about how the tools behave.
How do I opt out of Google Analytics?
Open cookie preferences from the footer and disable the Analytics category. For a permanent block across all sites, install Google's official Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
What if I block all cookies in my browser?
The tools still work. Your theme and language preferences will reset on every visit, and checkout may not complete because it needs a session cookie.
Do you use cookies to profile me?
No. No device fingerprinting, no cross-site tracking and no behavioural profiles. Analytics is aggregate — it counts events, not people.
Can I see the full list of cookies?
Yes — the tables on this page name every cookie we set, what it does and how long it lasts. We update them whenever a cookie is added or removed.
Do you honour Global Privacy Control?
Yes. Where your browser sends the GPC signal we treat it as a valid opt-out from non-essential cookies.
How long does my cookie choice last?
One year, stored in the ez_consent cookie, or until you change it. If we add a new cookie category we ask again rather than assume.
Something here unclear?
Legal writing is easy to get wrong. If any part of this page is ambiguous — or you think it is mistaken — tell us and we will fix the wording.
