Cookie Policy
Introduction
At Telling Stories Through Time (“we”, “us”, “our”), we use cookies and similar technologies on tellingstoriesthroughtime.com (“Website”). This policy explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and how you can control them.
Our cookie banner does not load any non-essential cookies until you give permission. If you consent, we may set cookies for Google Analytics, Google Ads, and the Meta Pixel to help us measure performance and advertising effectiveness.
We may also use a WhatsApp chat plugin (JoinChat). In some setups, it stores small bits of information in your browser’s local storage to manage when the chat window appears.
1) What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. They help sites work, function more efficiently and provide useful information to site owners.
- Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies remain until they expire or you delete them.
We also use similar technologies (such as local storage and pixels). For simplicity, we refer to all of these as “cookies.”
2) How We Use Cookies
- Make the site work, for example, by remembering your cookie choices and securing forms.
- Measure and improve performance and content (with your consent).
- Measure advertising effectiveness and conversions (with your consent).
Where cookies involve personal data, we process it in line with our Privacy Policy.
3) Your Choices & Our Legal Basis
- Strictly necessary cookies are used to provide the service you request (for example, security and remembering your cookie choice) and do not require consent.
- Analytics and advertising cookies are only set after you give consent.
4) What We Load (By Category)
A. Strictly Necessary (Always On)
Purpose: Enables essential functionality such as security, accessibility, and storing your cookie preferences.
Examples: Consent status cookie; WordPress session cookies (for logged-in admins).
Control: Cannot be switched off without affecting site function, but you can still block them in your browser.
| Cookie Name | Domain | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| seopress-user-consent-accept | .tellingstoriesthroughtime.com | Remembers your cookie consent choice. | 30 days |
B. Performance & Analytics (Consent-Based)
Tool: Google Analytics 4 (GA4) via Consent Mode.
Purpose: Understand how visitors use our site (for example, pages viewed and time on page) to improve content and usability. Data is aggregated; we do not identify individuals. If we use Google Consent Mode, Google may receive limited cookieless signals when you decline analytics cookies. No analytics cookies are set unless you consent.
Control: Off by default; enabled only if you consent.
| Cookie Name | Domain | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | .tellingstoriesthroughtime.com | Distinguishes users and collects anonymised usage data. | ~2 years |
| _ga_[PROPERTY_ID] | .tellingstoriesthroughtime.com | Persists session state for analytics. [PROPERTY_ID] varies by site. | ~2 years |
C. Advertising & Conversion (Consent-Based)
Tools: Google Ads (conversion tags), Meta Pixel.
Purpose: Measure the effectiveness of our advertising and understand which content or ads lead to enquiries or actions. May support ad attribution across sessions and devices. In many cases, we use GA4 events for conversion tracking and import those conversions into Google Ads, rather than using separate Google Ads conversion tags.
Control: Off by default; enabled only if you consent.
Note: These cookies may not be active on every site. They only load if the relevant tags are installed and you give consent.
| Cookie Name | Domain | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| _gcl_au | .tellingstoriesthroughtime.com | Used by Google Ads to store and measure ad efficiency and conversions (Conversion Linker). | 90 days |
| _gcl_aw | .tellingstoriesthroughtime.com | Stores ad click information to help attribute conversions to Google Ads. | 90 days |
| _gcl_dc | .tellingstoriesthroughtime.com | Stores ad click information for Google advertising products when enabled. | 90 days |
| _gcl_gb | .tellingstoriesthroughtime.com | Helps store campaign information for Google Ads when enabled. | 90 days |
| _gac_gb_<wpid> | .tellingstoriesthroughtime.com | Stores campaign information for Google Ads. The ID varies by site/configuration. | 90 days |
| _gcl_gs | .tellingstoriesthroughtime.com | Helps measure ads and support conversion attribution when enabled. | 90 days |
| IDE | .doubleclick.net | Used to serve and measure ads across the web (third-party). | 13 months (UK/EEA) |
| test_cookie | .doubleclick.net | Checks whether the browser allows cookies. | 15 minutes |
D. Functional (If Forms Or Plugins Are Used)
Purpose: Supports site features and user experience. These are not used for advertising.
Tool: WPForms.
Purpose: Supports form functionality and user experience without storing personal data.
Control: May be essential for form submissions.
| Cookie Name | Domain | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| _wpfuuid | .tellingstoriesthroughtime.com | Supports form submissions and prevents duplicate entries. | ~11 months |
Tool: JoinChat (WhatsApp floating button).
Purpose: Controls when the WhatsApp chat window should be automatically displayed and helps prevent the same prompt appearing repeatedly. These identifiers do not contain personal data.
Control: You can clear site data/local storage in your browser to remove them.
| Cookie Name | Domain | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| joinchat_views | .tellingstoriesthroughtime.com | LocalStorage key used to manage when the chat window auto-displays. | No fixed expiry (LocalStorage) |
| joinchat_hashes | .tellingstoriesthroughtime.com | LocalStorage key used to track which prompts have been shown. | No fixed expiry (LocalStorage) |
5) Managing Cookies
- Cookie Settings: Use the banner link to accept or reject cookies at any time.
- Browser Controls: Most browsers let you block or delete cookies. Doing so may affect site functionality, especially for strictly necessary cookies. You can also clear site data/local storage to remove LocalStorage entries used by site features.
6) Third Parties & International Transfers
If you consent to analytics or advertising, limited data is shared with Google and/or Meta. These providers may process data on servers outside the UK/EEA. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.
7) Changes To This Policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes in the cookies we use, new technology, or legal requirements. We will update the “Last Updated” date and, where needed, prompt you to review your preferences.
8) Contact Us
If you have any questions about this policy or our use of cookies, please contact us.
Last Updated: June 10, 2026
Telling Stories Through Time (tellingstoriesthroughtime.com)