Cookie Policy
Effective Date: August 19, 2026 · Last Updated: August 19, 2026
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how we ("we," "us," or "our") use cookies, browser local storage, and similar tracking technologies on guessmacro.com (the "Site"), and how you can control them.
This Policy supplements and forms part of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
2. What Are Cookies and Local Storage?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by a website. They are sent back to the server with each request, which lets a site recognize your browser across page loads and visits.
- First-party cookies are set by guessmacro.com itself.
- Third-party cookies are set by another domain — such as Google — whose content is embedded in our pages.
- Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies remain on your device until they expire or you delete them.
Local storage (localStorage) is a separate browser mechanism that stores data on your device. Unlike cookies, local storage data is never automatically transmitted to any server — it stays on your device and is only read by JavaScript running in your browser. Guess Macro uses local storage for your preferences.
Pixels and tags are small scripts or images used to measure page views and advertising performance. Google Analytics and Google AdSense use these alongside cookies.
3. How Cookies Apply to Guest vs. Logged-In Use
Guess Macro behaves differently depending on whether you have signed in. This section explains exactly what that means for tracking.
3.1 As a Guest (Not Signed In)
| What happens | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authentication cookies | None are set. There is no session to maintain. |
| Preference storage | fw_theme and fw_rules_seen are written to your browser's local storage. They never leave your device. |
| Game progress | Held in page memory only. Refreshing or closing the tab discards it. Nothing is written to our servers. |
| Analytics cookies | Yes — Google Analytics still sets cookies and records your visit, pages viewed, and device information. |
| Advertising cookies | Yes — Google AdSense still sets cookies and may show personalized ads based on your browsing. |
Key point: Playing as a guest means we keep no server-side record of you, but it does not mean you are untracked. Google Analytics and Google AdSense operate on guest visitors exactly as they do on signed-in users. Being a guest limits what we know about you, not what advertisers and analytics providers observe.
3.2 As a Logged-In User
Everything above still applies, plus:
| What happens | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authentication tokens | Amazon Cognito issues ID, access, and refresh tokens to keep you signed in across page loads and visits. These are strictly necessary and cannot be disabled while you remain signed in. |
| Server-side association | Your gameplay is transmitted to and stored on our servers and linked to your account, as described in the Privacy Policy. |
| Preference storage | fw_theme and fw_rules_seen continue to be stored locally on each device. Preferences are per-device, not synced to your account — changing your theme on your phone does not change it on your laptop. |
| Analytics | Google Analytics continues to operate. We do not send your email address or account identifiers to Google Analytics. |
| Advertising | Google AdSense continues to operate. We do not share your email address or account data with advertisers. |
Signing out clears your Cognito authentication tokens. It does not clear analytics or advertising cookies, and it does not clear your local theme preference.
4. Categories of Cookies and Storage We Use
4.1 Strictly Necessary (Cannot Be Disabled)
Required for the Site to function. Without these, you cannot sign in or maintain a session.
| Name / Type | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognito ID token | Amazon Cognito | Identifies your authenticated account | Local storage | ~1 hour |
| Cognito access token | Amazon Cognito | Authorizes API requests to our backend | Local storage | ~1 hour |
| Cognito refresh token | Amazon Cognito | Keeps you signed in without re-entering your password | Local storage | Up to 30 days |
These are used only when you are signed in. Guests have none.
4.2 Preference / Functional
Remember choices you make. Disabling these degrades convenience but not core functionality.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
fw_theme | Guess Macro (first-party) | Stores your light or dark theme preference | Local storage | Until you clear browser data |
fw_rules_seen | Guess Macro (first-party) | Remembers that you have already seen the how-to-play instructions | Local storage | Until you clear browser data |
Both apply to guests and signed-in users alike, and are stored per device and per browser.
4.3 Analytics
Help us understand how the Site is used so we can improve it. Set by Google Analytics 4 (measurement ID G-N43VNHZPWT).
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Distinguishes unique visitors | Third-party cookie | 2 years | |
_ga_<container-id> | Persists session state for GA4 | Third-party cookie | 2 years | |
_gid | Distinguishes unique visitors | Third-party cookie | 24 hours |
Data collected includes pages viewed, session duration, referring source, device and browser type, and approximate location derived from IP address. We view this data only in aggregate.
4.4 Advertising
Used to deliver and measure advertisements. Set by Google AdSense (publisher ID pub-9991647735545324).
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
__gads / __gpi | Ad delivery, frequency capping, and measurement | Third-party cookie | Up to 13 months | |
IDE / DSID | Google (DoubleClick) | Measures ad interactions and enables personalized advertising | Third-party cookie | Up to 13 months |
test_cookie | Checks whether your browser supports cookies | Third-party cookie | 15 minutes |
Google may use these to show ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites. Cookie names and durations are set by Google and may change without notice; the authoritative list is maintained by Google.
5. How to Control Cookies
5.1 Consent Banner (EEA, UK, and Switzerland)
Where required by law, we present a consent banner on your first visit allowing you to accept or reject analytics and advertising cookies. Strictly necessary cookies do not require consent. You may change your choice at any time via the cookie settings link in the Site footer.
5.2 Browser Controls
You can block or delete cookies through your browser settings:
- Chrome — Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies
- Safari — Settings → Privacy → Prevent cross-site tracking
- Firefox — Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Edge — Settings → Cookies and site permissions
Clearing local storage also removes your theme preference and, if signed in, your authentication tokens — which will sign you out.
5.3 Opt Out of Analytics
Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
5.4 Opt Out of Personalized Advertising
- Google Ad Settings — manage personalization directly with Google
- optout.aboutads.info — Digital Advertising Alliance
- youronlinechoices.eu — European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance
- Global Privacy Control (GPC) — we honor GPC signals as opt-out requests where applicable law requires
Opting out of personalized ads does not remove advertising from the Site; you will still see ads, but they will be less relevant to you.
5.5 Consequences of Blocking Cookies
| If you block | Effect |
|---|---|
| Strictly necessary storage | You cannot sign in or stay signed in. Guest play still works. |
| Preference storage | Theme resets to default and instructions reappear on every visit. |
| Analytics cookies | No effect on gameplay. We lose visibility into usage. |
| Advertising cookies | Ads still appear but are non-personalized. |
6. Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control
There is no accepted industry standard for responding to browser "Do Not Track" signals, and we do not currently respond to them. We do honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals as opt-out requests where applicable law requires.
7. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy as our use of cookies changes. Updates will be posted here with a revised "Last Updated" date. Third-party providers may change their own cookie names, purposes, and durations without notice to us.
8. Contact
Questions about this Cookie Policy:
- Email: ryanhhogan@gmail.com
- Website: guessmacro.com