What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. Similar technologies, including browser local storage and tracking pixels, can remember preferences or measure site use. Technologies set by Bites & Borders are first-party; technologies set by another provider, such as Google or an affiliate partner, are third-party.
Categories We Use
Essential / Strictly Necessary
Always activeThese cookies or local-storage records are required for the website to function, preserve your privacy choice, and protect sign-in flows. They cannot be disabled.
| Name / Technology | Purpose | Retention | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| bb_consent_v3 | Stores your selected cookie-consent preferences and policy version in local storage. | Until changed or cleared | Bites & Borders |
| manus-session | Maintains your authenticated session if you choose to sign in. | Session | Manus Auth |
| __Host-oauth_state | Helps prevent cross-site request forgery during OAuth sign-in. | 10 minutes | Manus Auth |
Analytics
Analytics consent requiredUsed to understand aggregated visitor activity, including page views, referral sources, and site performance. Google Analytics and site analytics are not loaded or configured until you grant Analytics consent.
| Name / Technology | Purpose | Retention | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga, _ga_* | Google Analytics identifiers used to measure anonymized visits and engagement after Analytics consent is granted. | Up to 2 years | Google Analytics |
| Umami analytics record | Site analytics measurement, loaded only after Analytics consent is granted. | Provider-dependent | Manus / Umami |
Advertising
Advertising consent requiredUsed by Google advertising services, including Google AdSense where applicable, to support ad delivery and measurement after Advertising consent. Declining this category prevents AdSense from loading and keeps advertising storage, ad user data, and ad personalization denied.
| Name / Technology | Purpose | Retention | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDE, _gcl_au, related ad identifiers | Support advertising delivery, conversion measurement, and ad personalization when advertising consent is granted. | Provider-dependent | Google advertising services |
Marketing & Affiliate Tracking
Marketing consent requiredUsed by campaign-measurement tools and, after you click an affiliate link, by travel and shopping partners to attribute a referral or commission. These services are governed by their own privacy policies.
| Name / Technology | Purpose | Retention | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| _fbp | Meta Pixel campaign measurement and retargeting after Marketing consent is granted. | Up to 90 days | Meta |
| _pinterest_ct_ua | Pinterest campaign measurement after Marketing consent is granted. | Up to 1 year | |
| CLID, _clck, _clsk | Microsoft Clarity session analytics and heatmap measurement after Marketing consent is granted. | Up to 1 year | Microsoft Clarity |
| Viator, Klook, Amazon, Expedia affiliate identifiers | Attribute a booking or qualifying purchase after you click an affiliate link. | Provider-dependent | Affiliate partners |
Google Consent Mode v2 and Google Analytics
We use Google Consent Mode v2 to communicate your choices to Google services. Before any Google service is configured, the site sets analytics storage, advertising storage, ad user data, and ad personalization to denied.
Google Analytics is explicitly opt-in: its script is not loaded and its property is not configured until you grant Analytics consent through Manage Preferences or Accept All. If you decline Analytics, the site does not send Google Analytics page-view or event data.
Granting Advertising consent separately allows Google advertising services to use the advertising-related Consent Mode v2 signals on completed substantive editorial pages. Declining Advertising consent keeps those signals denied and prevents Google AdSense from loading.
How to Control Cookies
Via Manage Preferences: Use the Cookie Settings link in the site footer or either button on this page to accept all, reject all, or choose Analytics, Advertising, and Marketing categories individually. Your choice is saved and applied on future visits.
Via your browser: Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies, delete existing cookies, or be notified when a cookie is set. See your browser's help documentation for instructions. Disabling essential technologies may prevent the site from functioning correctly.
Third-party opt-outs: You can manage Google ad personalization at adssettings.google.com, review Google’s partner-site data practices at policies.google.com, and use the NAI opt-out tool for broader advertising choices.
Your Privacy Rights
For visitors in the EEA and UK, consent is our legal basis for non-essential technologies under Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; essential technologies are used for legitimate interests under Article 6(1)(f). California residents may opt out of the sharing of personal information for targeted advertising by disabling Advertising and Marketing in Manage Preferences. You may withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal. Bites & Borders is independently owned; affiliate links may earn commissions at no extra cost, and compensated content is identified near the beginning of the applicable content.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when we add services, partners, or legal requirements. When changes are material, we will update the date above and, where appropriate, ask visitors to review their consent choices again.
Contact
Questions about our use of cookies? Email us at Chris@BitesAndBorders.com.