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 efficiently, to remember your preferences, and to provide information to website owners. Cookies do not contain viruses and cannot access other files on your device.
2. Essential Cookies
Essential cookies are required for RatedStylist to function correctly and cannot be disabled. They handle core functionality including session management, authentication, and security protections such as CSRF prevention. Without these cookies, features like logging in and completing bookings would not work. No personal data collected by essential cookies is used for advertising purposes.
3. Analytics Cookies
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with RatedStylist. We use Google Analytics and Mixpanel to collect anonymised data on page views, session duration, and user journeys. This information helps us identify areas of the platform to improve. Analytics cookies are opt-in: you can decline them without affecting core functionality.
4. Marketing Cookies
Marketing cookies allow us to show you relevant advertisements on other websites and measure the effectiveness of our campaigns. We use Meta Pixel and Google Ads conversion tracking. These cookies are strictly opt-in only. If you decline, you may still see RatedStylist adverts but they will not be personalised to your browsing behaviour.
5. Managing Cookies
You have several options for managing cookies:
- Use your browser settings to block or delete cookies (note: this may break some site functionality).
- Use our cookie preferences panel to opt in or out of analytics and marketing cookies.
- Use third-party opt-out tools such as Google Analytics Opt-out or the Your Online Choices tool.
6. Cookie Reference
| Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| _rs_session | Maintains your logged-in session | Session | Essential |
| _rs_csrf | Protects against cross-site request forgery | Session | Essential |
| _ga | Google Analytics visitor tracking | 2 years | Analytics |
| _ga_XXXXXXXX | Google Analytics session state | 2 years | Analytics |
| _fbp | Meta Pixel conversion tracking | 3 months | Marketing |
| _gcl_au | Google Ads conversion tracking | 3 months | Marketing |
7. Contact
Questions about our use of cookies? Contact us at cookies@ratedstylistuk.com.