--- title: "Cookie Policy | South Lakes SEO" url: "https://southlakesseo.co.uk/cookie-policy/" description: "Which cookies the South Lakes SEO website uses, including Google Analytics 4, what each one does, how long they last and how to manage or opt out." date_published: "2026-10-19T13:33:54+01:00" date_modified: "2026-10-26T11:15:37+00:00" author: Tim Marston site: South Lakes SEO language: en-GB markdown: "https://southlakesseo.co.uk/cookie-policy/index.md" --- # Cookie Policy Last updated: 26 October 2026. This page explains the cookies and similar browser storage I use on this website. Please read it alongside my [Privacy Policy](https://southlakesseo.co.uk/privacy-policy/). Under UK law (PECR and UK GDPR) I can use essential cookies without asking. Analytics and advertising cookies are only used if you click “Accept” on the cookie banner. ## What cookies are Cookies are small text files a website saves in your browser. Local storage works in a similar way. Some are needed for the site to work; others are optional. ## Essential These are needed for the site to work, so they are always on: - **Your cookie choice** — when you click Accept or Reject, I save your choice in your browser’s local storage (`slseo_consent`, plus `slseo_consent_ts` to record when you chose). It lasts about 6 months, then the banner asks again. It stays in your browser and is not sent to me. - **Google reCAPTCHA** — my contact forms use Google reCAPTCHA v3 to block spam. Google may set a cookie (such as `_GRECAPTCHA`) and check details about your browser and device to tell people from bots. See [Google’s privacy policy (opens in a new tab)](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [how Google uses cookies (opens in a new tab)](https://policies.google.com/technologies/cookies). - **Security checks** — my host’s security system (Imunify360 on Cloudways) sometimes shows a short “one moment” check to stop bots. If it does, it may set a short-lived cookie to remember that your browser passed. - **WordPress login** — cookies such as `wordpress_logged_in_*`, `wordpress_sec_*` and `wp-settings-*` are only set when someone logs into the admin area. Visitors do not get them. The contact forms (Fluent Forms) and page caching (Breeze) do not set cookies for visitors. ## Analytics (only if you accept) I use Google Analytics 4, run through Google Tag Manager, to see how the site is used, for example which pages people read and how they found the site. Its cookies are only set if you click Accept: - `_ga` — tells one visitor from another; lasts up to 2 years. - `_ga_*` — keeps track of your current visit; lasts up to 2 years. ## Advertising (only if you accept) I use Google Ads conversion tracking, also run through Google Tag Manager, to see if my Google ads lead to enquiries, for example a form being sent or a phone link being tapped. Its cookies are only set if you click Accept: - `_gcl_au` — links ad clicks to enquiries; lasts 90 days. - `_gcl_aw` — stores details of the Google ad you clicked to reach the site; lasts 90 days. - Google may also set its own advertising cookies on Google domains (for example google.com and doubleclick.net) when the ad tags run. If you have accepted, sending a form also sends Google Ads a scrambled (SHA-256 hashed) copy of your email address and phone number, so the enquiry can be matched to an ad click. My [Privacy Policy](https://southlakesseo.co.uk/privacy-policy/) explains this. ## Google Consent Mode Google Tag Manager loads on every page, with Google Consent Mode set to “denied” for analytics and advertising by default. Until you click Accept, Google only receives cookieless signals (for example that a page was viewed or a form was sent) and no analytics or advertising cookies are set. Google uses these signals to model visits and conversions without cookies. After you click Accept, the analytics and advertising cookies listed above are set. If you click Reject or close the banner, everything stays at “denied”. Google handles this data and may process it in the United States. See [Google’s privacy policy (opens in a new tab)](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [how Google uses information from sites that use its services (opens in a new tab)](https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites). ## Changing your mind - Click [Cookie settings](#cookie-settings) in the footer of any page to change your choice at any time. Switching to Reject stops analytics and advertising cookies being used from then on, and Google goes back to cookieless signals only. - Use your browser settings to block or delete cookies and clear local storage. Cookies already set stay until they expire or you delete them. Blocking essential cookies may stop the contact forms working. - You can also install the [Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on (opens in a new tab)](https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout). ## Contact Questions about cookies? Email [tim@southlakesseo.co.uk](mailto:tim@southlakesseo.co.uk), call [07761 170139](tel:+447761170139), or write to me at South Lakes SEO, 9 Green View Flats, Kendal LA9 4QS.