This Cookie Policy explains how All Names Guide uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit the site. It is written in plain language, without legal jargon wherever possible, and covers the categories of cookies we use, the third parties that set them, and the controls available to you.
What cookies are
A cookie is a small text file stored on your device when you visit a website. Cookies let a site remember information about your visit — things like whether you've dismissed a notice, your language preference, or which pages you've visited. Cookies can be set by the site you're visiting (first-party cookies) or by external services that the site uses, such as analytics or advertising networks (third-party cookies).
This policy also covers similar technologies such as web beacons, pixel tags, and local storage — even where the underlying technology isn't technically a "cookie," it serves a similar function.
Why we use them
We use cookies for four broad purposes:
- To make the site work. Essential cookies handle basic site functionality — remembering that you've dismissed a banner, storing your accessibility preferences, or letting the search box work correctly.
- To understand how the site is used. Analytics cookies help us see which pages are popular, how readers navigate the site, and where things break — so we can improve.
- To serve relevant advertising. The site is free to read; advertising helps fund it. Some ad-network cookies help make the ads shown to you more relevant.
- To power certain features. If you use our newsletter signup, save a favorite name, or share a page to Pinterest, those actions may involve third-party cookies from the relevant service.
Categories of cookies we use
| Category | What it does | Duration | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Enables basic site functionality — cannot be turned off without breaking the site. | Session or up to 1 year | allnamesguide.com |
| Preference | Remembers your choices (e.g., whether you've dismissed a notice, saved a favorite). | Up to 1 year | allnamesguide.com |
| Analytics | Helps us understand how the site is used so we can improve it. | Up to 2 years | Google Analytics (third party) |
| Advertising | Serves ads and, where you've consented, tailors ads to your interests. | Up to 13 months | Ezoic, Google Ads, other ad-network partners |
| Social / sharing | Enables sharing to Pinterest and other social platforms. | Varies by platform | Pinterest, other social networks |
| Newsletter | Handles newsletter signup and remembers if you've already subscribed. | Up to 1 year | Beehiiv (or successor provider) |
On your first visit, you'll see a cookie notice explaining which cookies are used and asking for your consent (in regions where consent is legally required, such as the EU, UK, and Brazil). Non-essential cookies are not set until you accept. You can change your choices at any time using the "Cookie preferences" link in the site footer.
Third-party cookies
Some cookies on this site are set by third parties whose services we use. The main ones are:
- Google Analytics 4 — helps us understand aggregate traffic patterns. Google's data-handling practices are governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
- Google Search Console — helps us monitor how the site appears in Google Search. This service does not set browsing cookies for readers.
- Ezoic (our ad partner) — serves display advertising and uses cookies for ad delivery, measurement, and (where permitted) personalization. See the Ezoic Privacy Policy.
- Pinterest — enables the "Save to Pinterest" button and tracks pin performance for content we've shared. See Pinterest's Privacy Policy.
- Beehiiv (newsletter platform) — handles newsletter signup and delivery. See Beehiiv's Privacy Policy.
- Google Fonts — delivers the site's typography. Font requests may reveal your IP address to Google but do not set browsing cookies for tracking purposes.
We do not control the cookies set by these third parties. Their use of cookies is governed by their own policies, linked above.
How to control cookies
You have several ways to control cookies:
Cookie preferences panel
Use the "Cookie preferences" link in the site footer to open the consent panel at any time. You can accept all, reject non-essential, or choose category by category. Your preferences apply immediately.
Browser settings
All major browsers let you block cookies, delete existing cookies, or notify you before a cookie is set. Instructions are available in each browser's help documentation:
Opt-out tools for advertising cookies
To opt out of interest-based advertising more broadly:
- United States: Digital Advertising Alliance
- Canada: Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada
- European Union: European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance
Blocking or deleting cookies may affect how parts of the site work — for example, the search box, cookie-preference panel, and newsletter signup may not function correctly without their essential cookies.
"Do Not Track" and Global Privacy Control
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal or the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal. Because there is no universally agreed-upon standard for how sites should respond to DNT, we do not currently change site behavior based on it. However, we do honor the GPC signal for users in jurisdictions where GPC is legally recognized as an opt-out signal (currently California under the CCPA/CPRA and Colorado under the CPA).
Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time as our use of cookies evolves, as new services are added, or as legal requirements change. The "Last updated" date at the top of the page shows when the policy was most recently revised. If we make substantive changes (for example, adding a new category of cookie), we'll refresh the consent notice so you can review and re-affirm your preferences.
Questions
If you have questions about how we use cookies, please contact us or email privacy@allnamesguide.com. For related policies, see our Privacy Policy, Affiliate Disclosure, and Disclaimer.