Cookie Policy
Last Updated: January 2024
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. Diet Specialist Booking uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience, understand how visitors interact with our editorial content, and improve our services. This policy explains what cookies we use, why we use them, and how you can manage them.
Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as page navigation, security features, and access to secure areas of the website.
Examples: Session identifiers, security tokens, language preferences, CSRF protection.
Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website and editorial content. We collect anonymized data about page views, articles read, time spent on pages, and navigation patterns to improve content quality and user experience.
Examples: Google Analytics, traffic sources, bounce rates, popular articles.
Performance Cookies
These cookies collect information about how our website performs, including page load times, server errors, and browser compatibility issues. This data helps us optimize website speed and reliability.
Examples: Performance metrics, error logs, loading times, CDN optimization.
Preference Cookies
These cookies remember your choices to personalize your experience on our website, such as language selection, dark mode preferences, or content filtering options.
Examples: Theme preferences, article save lists, reading history, font sizes.
How We Use Cookies
Improving Content Quality
Understanding which articles and topics resonate with our readers helps our editorial team produce better, more relevant content.
Enhancing User Experience
Cookies remember your preferences, allowing us to deliver a personalized browsing experience tailored to your interests.
Website Optimization
Performance data helps us identify and fix technical issues, ensuring fast loading times and smooth navigation.
Security and Protection
Essential cookies help protect your data and prevent unauthorized access to your account and personal information.
Cookie List
Below is a detailed list of cookies used on Diet Specialist Booking:
| Cookie Name | Type | Purpose | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | Essential | Session management and user authentication | Session |
| _ga | Analytics | Google Analytics - user identification | 2 years |
| _ga_XXXXX | Analytics | Google Analytics - session tracking | 1 year |
| _gid | Analytics | Google Analytics - user ID for sessions | 24 hours |
| cookie_consent | Preference | Stores your cookie consent preferences | 1 year |
| user_language | Preference | Remembers your language preference | 1 year |
| theme_preference | Preference | Stores your preferred theme (light/dark mode) | 1 year |
| _pk_id | Analytics | Matomo analytics - user identification | 13 months |
| _pk_ses | Analytics | Matomo analytics - session tracking | 30 minutes |
How to Manage Cookies
Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can choose to accept all cookies, reject them, or be notified when a cookie is sent. Please note that blocking essential cookies may impact website functionality.
To manage cookies in popular browsers:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
- Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Clear browsing data
Opt-Out Options
You can opt out of analytics cookies while still using our website fully. Essential and preference cookies will remain active to ensure proper website functionality.
Google Analytics Opt-out: Visit the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on page to download the browser extension.
Do Not Track
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" feature. When enabled, this feature sends a signal to websites requesting they do not track your activity. We respect Do Not Track signals and will not collect analytics data for users who have this feature enabled.
Clearing Cookies
You can delete cookies stored on your device at any time through your browser settings. This will clear all cookies, including your preferences and saved data.
Note: Clearing cookies may require you to re-enter preferences and log in again.
Third-Party Services
Our website uses third-party services that may set their own cookies:
Google Analytics
Google Analytics collects anonymized usage data to help us understand website traffic and user behavior. Google is certified under the Privacy Shield Framework.
Matomo Analytics
We also use Matomo, an open-source analytics platform that respects user privacy and GDPR regulations. Matomo processes data on our servers.
Content Delivery Network (CDN)
We use a CDN to deliver content quickly. The CDN may set performance-related cookies to optimize loading times.
GDPR & Data Protection
Diet Specialist Booking complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws. Here's how we protect your data:
- Consent-based: We only use non-essential cookies after obtaining your explicit consent.
- Transparent: We clearly explain which cookies we use and their purpose.
- Right to withdraw: You can withdraw your consent at any time through your browser settings.
- Anonymization: Analytics data is anonymized and cannot be traced back to individuals.
- Limited retention: We only keep data for as long as necessary for the purposes stated.