Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They allow the website to remember your actions and preferences over time.

2. Cookies We Use

2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

Status: Always enabled (no opt-out required)

These cookies are essential for the website to function properly.

• wat_analytics_consent_v2: Mirrors your current analytics-and-attribution preference for server-side enforcement (1 year)
• cookie_consent_v2: Stores the same versioned preference in localStorage for the browser interface
• Security: Cloudflare security cookies (managed by our CDN)

2.2 Optional Analytics & Attribution Cookies

Status: Requires user consent (you can decline)

These cookies help us understand site usage and attribute eligible outbound visits after you accept.

• _ga: Unique identifier (expires after 2 years)
• _ga_<container-id>: Google Analytics property cookie (expires after 2 years)
• wat_session: Pseudonymous outbound-session identifier, stored as a one-way digest in our database (30 minutes)
• wat_attribution_campaign: Current UTM campaign fields for outbound attribution (30 minutes)

Purpose: Measure page usage and consented, bot-filtered outbound funnels. We do not use these cookies to guarantee commercial results.

2.3 Performance & Security Cookies (Cloudflare)

Status: No opt-out required (privacy-first, no tracking)

Cloudflare uses cookies for:

• DDoS protection and bot mitigation
• Content delivery optimization
• SSL/TLS encryption

Note: Cloudflare Web Analytics does not use cookies for tracking. It relies on server-side logs and is privacy-first by design.

3. Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our site, you will see a cookie consent banner at the bottom of the page. You have two options:

• Accept: Allow Google Analytics plus 30-minute first-party campaign and outbound-session cookies
• Decline: Disable Google Analytics and detailed outbound attribution; only necessary preference and security cookies will be used

Your choice is stored in your browser's localStorage and mirrored in the wat_analytics_consent_v2 cookie so the server can enforce this consent version. Earlier unversioned choices are not upgraded automatically.

4. How to Manage or Disable Cookies

4.1 Through Our Banner

If you previously accepted cookies but now wish to opt-out:

• Click "Cookie settings" in the site footer
• Click "Decline"

4.2 Through Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. Here's how for common browsers:

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage cookies

4.3 Browser Add-Ons

You can also use browser extensions or add-ons to block cookies:

• Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on
• uBlock Origin (ad blocker)
• Privacy Badger (EFF)
• Ghostery

5. What Happens If You Disable Cookies?

If you choose to disable analytics cookies:

• ✅ The website will still function normally
• ✅ You can still browse all tools and content
• ✅ Affiliate links will still work
• ✅ Outbound redirects will not receive a stable session, referrer, or UTM attribution
• ℹ️ A coarse redirect event may still be recorded for reliability, bot filtering, and aggregate integrity
• ❌ Google Analytics cookies and consented analytics storage remain disabled
• ❌ We will have less data to improve the user experience

6. Third-Party Cookies

We do not use cookies for advertising personalization. Services that may set or manage cookies are:

• Google Analytics: Analytics cookies only after you accept
• Cloudflare: Security and bot-protection cookies when needed

7. Cookie Lifespan

Google Analytics Cookies

• _ga: 2 years
• _ga_<container-id>: 2 years
• wat_session: 30 minutes after an eligible outbound visit
• wat_attribution_campaign: 30 minutes after campaign capture

LocalStorage

• cookie_consent_v2: Persistent until you change it through Cookie settings or clear browser data
• wat_analytics_consent_v2 cookie: 1 year, refreshed when you change your choice

Cloudflare Cookies

• __cf_bm: 30 minutes of inactivity when applicable (bot detection)
• _cfuvid: Set only when the corresponding Cloudflare rate-limiting option is enabled; lifecycle is managed by Cloudflare

8. Cross-Browser Tracking

WhichAITools does not create user accounts or intentionally join activity across browsers or devices. The outbound-session identifier is random, pseudonymous, and limited to 30 minutes. Google Analytics and detailed attribution remain disabled unless you accept analytics cookies.

9. Children and Cookies

Our website is not directed to children under 13. We do not intentionally collect information from children through cookies or other means.

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this cookie policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. We will notify users of significant changes by:

• Updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
• Displaying a notice on our website

11. Your Rights Under GDPR and ePrivacy Directive

If you are located in the European Union, you have the right to:

• Opt-out: Decline non-essential cookies through our banner or browser settings
• Withdraw consent: Use the Cookie settings button in the footer at any time
• Information: Know what cookies are in use and how they are used
• Complain: Contact a supervisory authority if you believe our cookie use violates data protection laws

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy, please contact us at:

Email: [email protected]

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.