When I hear, read or write the word ‘cookies’, my mind can’t help but retrieve an image of the infamous Cookie Monster from Sesame Street. In case your childhood skipped past this invention, here’s a short, relevant extract.
So, here’s the thing, cookies are important to me too. They help make your user experience on my website smoother. As well they help with site promotion and let me see what I’m doing right and wrong with my content.
However, it’s understandable that not everyone likes cookies. Just like I don’t like anchovies, or advertising in the middle of my favourite TV show on Pay TV which was just cancelled.#SaveLucifer
Below, you can found out about the cookies I use on my website. Plus, I’ll also explain how you can say no to cookies and what it means to be cookie free.
While you’re here, you should also read my privacy policy which isn’t as fun as this page but it is important.
So, what’s a cookie if it’s not edible?
A cookie is a text file. It contains small bite-sized packets of information. Cookies contain preferences or other information which identifies you as a user of a website. Generally, cookies might contain personal information, but only information you’ve provided.
Cookies can be session based or persistent. Persistent cookies save to your computer when you interact with a website or app and session based last as long as you’re browsing the website.
There are two main types of cookies.
- First party cookies: issued by this website. They are used to enhance your experience. An example would be an analytic cookie to understand how a user interacts with my website.
- Third party cookies: cookies set by other interested parties, such as marketing companies. These cookies might be read when you visit other websites to deliver personalized advertising.
Cookies dished up at tinadubinsky.com
This list isn’t exhaustive. It may also change from time to time depending on the apps and services my website uses.
| Cookie | From | Origin | Lasts | Purpose |
| _nid | .google.com | 10 years | Preference cookie containing user information such as preferred language | |
| _ga | Google Analytics | .tinadubinsky.com | 2 Years | Analytics: used to distinguish users. |
| _gat | Google Analytics | .tinadubinsky.com | 1 Minute | Analytics: used to distinguish users. |
| _gid | Google Analytics | .tinadubinsky.com | 24 hours | Analytics: used to throttle request. |
| eucookielaw | Jetpack | tinadubinsky.com | 30 days | Checks if you’ve accepted our cookie agreement. |
| tk_lr | WordPress | .tinadubinsky.com | 2 years | Analytics: Collects user activity internal metrics. |
| tk_or | WordPress | .tinadubinsky.com | 5 years | Analytics: Collects user activity internal metrics. |
| tk_r3d | WordPress | .tinadubinsky.com | 2 days | Analytics: Collects user activity internal metrics. |
| tfw_exp | .twitter.com | 2 Weeks | Set by Twitter for performance capabilities. | |
| tk_ai | WordPress | .tinadubinsky.com | 5 years | Analytics: Randomly generates an anonymous ID. |
| tk_qs | WordPress | .tinadubinsky.com | 24 hours | Analytics: Collects user activity internal metrics. |
| comment_author | WordPress | .tinadubinsky.com | 347 days | Commentator cookie so you won’t need to re-enter all your information. |
| comment_author_email | WordPress | .tinadubinsky.com | 347 days | Commentator cookie so you won’t need to re-enter all your information. |
| comment_author_url | WordPress | .tinadubinsky.com | 347 days | Commentator cookie so you won’t need to re-enter all your information. |
| jetpack_comments_subscribe | Jetpack | tinadubinsky.com | 347 days | Records what you specify in the post and comment subscription checkboxes. |
| jetpack_blog_subscribe | Jetpack | tinadubinsky.com | 348 days | Records what you specify in the post and comment subscription checkboxes. |
| woocommerce_cart_hash | Woocommerce | tinadubinsky.com | Session | Woocommerce Cart cookie. Doesn’t store personal information. |
| woocommerce_items_in_cart | Woocommerce | tinadubinsky.com | Session | Woocommerce Cart cookie. Doesn’t store personal information. |
| wp_woocommerce_session | Woocommerce | tinadubinsky.com | 2 days | Woocommerce cookie so it knows which cart belongs to who, it but doesn’t store personal information |
| lang | cdn.syndication.twimg.com | Session | Exists on pages where twitter widget or twitter button exists. | |
| 01AI | Akamia | .abmr.net | 1 Year | Functionality cookie to enable streaming data like video streaming |
| PYPF | PayPal | .paypalobjects.com | 1 month | A PayPal cookie if you decide to add an item to your cart. |
As you can see, there’s quite an assortment.
How to say no to cookies on your computer
Saying no to cookies depends on your browser and the type of computer or gadget you’re using to connect to the internet. The links below will open a new tab or browser page and take you to that provider’s instructions for turning cookies off.
If you do decide to turn cookies off, your experience of this website may be affected. For example, you won’t be able to use the shop. Plus when you come back for another visit, the pop up message about accepting cookies on this website may appear again in your browser.
If I have not listed your preferred browser above, you may find it and more information on cookies at About Cookies.
And then there are pixels, web beacons and other tech
A pixel is a small amount of code on a web page or in an email notification. I may also use pixels to learn whether you’ve interacted with my website. Web beacons are similar. They’re a an empty image file that track how you browse through a website.
For instance, I have installed a Facebook Pixel app. It collects information on how Facebook users interact with my website and my Facebook page. However, I haven’t activated this plugin yet but the thought is there, especially if I decide to advertise on Facebook.
More information on Cookies and Pixels
- Google Cookies
- WordPress Cookies
- Jetpack Cookies
- Woocommerce Cookies
- PayPal Cookies Web Beacons and Other Tech
- Skype Cookies and how to disable Skype browser cookies
Last updated: 23 May 2018.