Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 2025
This Cookie Policy explains how Optimal Nutrition Guide ("we," "us," "our," or "Company") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website at optimalnutritionguide.info. By accessing and using our site, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.
The information on this site is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit our website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to the site owners.
Each cookie typically contains the name of the domain from which it originated, a lifetime (expiration date), and a randomly generated unique identifier. Cookies do not contain executable code and cannot transmit viruses or malware to your device.
Types of Cookies We Use
1. Essential (Strictly Necessary) Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. Essential cookies cannot be disabled without severely impacting website functionality.
Examples: Session cookies, security tokens, CSRF protection, website preferences
2. Performance & Analytics Cookies
We use these cookies to understand how visitors interact with our website, including which pages are visited most frequently, how long users spend on pages, and what errors occur. This information helps us improve content quality and user experience.
Examples: Google Analytics, page view tracking, scroll depth measurement, article engagement metrics
3. Functional Cookies
These cookies remember your preferences and choices to provide a personalized experience. They allow the website to remember information you've provided, such as language selection, content preferences, or reading history.
Examples: Language preferences, font size settings, article bookmarks, reader preferences
4. Marketing & Advertising Cookies
These cookies track your browsing activity across websites to display personalized content and relevant articles. They help us understand reader interests and improve our editorial recommendations.
Examples: Third-party analytics, content recommendation engines, audience segmentation
How We Use Cookies
- Improving Content: We analyze which articles and topics resonate most with our readers to enhance our editorial strategy.
- Personalizing Experience: Cookies remember your preferences, making it easier to navigate our nutrition and health content.
- Analytics & Measurement: We track anonymous, aggregated data about site performance and user behavior to identify trends.
- Security & Fraud Prevention: Cookies help us detect and prevent unauthorized access and fraudulent activity.
- Content Recommendations: We use cookies to suggest articles and topics related to your reading interests.
Detailed Cookie List
Below is a comprehensive list of cookies used on our website:
| Cookie Name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Analytics | Google Analytics - identifies unique users | 2 years |
| _gid | Analytics | Google Analytics - session identification | 24 hours |
| _gat | Analytics | Google Analytics - throttle request rate | 1 minute |
| PHPSESSID | Essential | Website session management | Session |
| cookieconsent | Essential | Records cookie consent preferences | 1 year |
| lang_preference | Functional | Stores user language selection | 1 year |
| theme_setting | Functional | Remembers light/dark mode preference | 1 year |
| user_bookmarks | Functional | Stores bookmarked articles for quick access | 1 year |
| reading_history | Functional | Tracks recently viewed articles | 90 days |
| content_recommendations | Marketing | Personalizes article suggestions | 90 days |
| audience_segment | Marketing | Anonymous audience categorization for content | 6 months |
| utm_source, utm_medium | Analytics | Tracks referral sources and traffic channels | Session |
Managing Your Cookies
Cookie Consent Control
When you first visit our website, we display a cookie consent banner. You can:
- Accept all cookies: Allows us to use all cookies for analytics, functionality, and personalization.
- Reject non-essential cookies: Only essential cookies will be used; analytics and marketing cookies will be blocked.
- Manage preferences: Choose which categories of cookies you wish to accept or decline.
Browser Controls
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through browser settings. You can:
- View what cookies are stored on your device
- Delete specific cookies or all cookies
- Block cookies from specific websites
- Disable cookies entirely (not recommended as it may affect functionality)
For instructions on managing cookies in your specific browser, visit: aboutcookies.org or your browser's help section.
Do Not Track (DNT)
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" feature. Currently, there is no widely adopted industry standard for recognizing DNT signals, and we do not currently respond to DNT browser signals. However, you can use the cookie management options described above to control cookie usage on our site.
Third-Party Services
Our website uses third-party services that may set their own cookies:
- Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure site traffic and user behavior. Google sets cookies to identify unique visitors. View Google's privacy policy
- Content Delivery Networks (CDN): Our content may be served through CDN providers that may use cookies for performance optimization.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party services. Please review their privacy policies for more information about how they use cookies.
Legal Basis for Cookie Usage
We use cookies based on the following legal grounds:
- Consent: For non-essential cookies, we obtain your explicit consent through our cookie banner before setting cookies.
- Legitimate Interest: We use cookies to improve our website functionality, security, and editorial content based on reader engagement data.
- Legal Requirement: We may use cookies to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Data Protection & Security
We take data protection seriously. Cookie data is:
- Encrypted when transmitted over secure connections (HTTPS)
- Stored securely on protected servers
- Accessed only by authorized personnel
- Retained only as long as necessary for their stated purpose
For more information about how we handle personal data, please review our Privacy Notice.
Questions About This Policy?
If you have questions or concerns about our use of cookies, please contact our editorial team:
Optimal Nutrition Guide
Langstrasse 14
Lausanne
Switzerland
Email: [email protected]
Policy Updates
We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in our cookie practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We encourage you to review this policy regularly. Your continued use of our website following the posting of revised policy means that you accept and agree to the changes.
This Cookie Policy is part of our commitment to transparency and protecting your privacy. Last updated: January 2025. For our complete Privacy Notice, visit our Disclaimer page.