This Cookie Policy explains how Socket Shed ("we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar technologies, such as localStorage, when you visit socketshed.com. It explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control our use of them.
What Are Cookies and Local Storage?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites function properly, as well as to provide reporting information and support analytics. Local storage is a similar browser-based technology that allows a website to store small amounts of data directly in your browser, without necessarily sending that data back to a server.
Socket Shed uses a combination of a small amount of local storage and, where you consent, analytics cookies, to operate and improve our site.
How We Use Cookie Consent and Local Storage
When you first visit Socket Shed, you will see a consent banner asking whether you accept or decline non-essential cookies, specifically analytics cookies. Your response to this banner is saved using your browser's localStorage, not as a cookie. This localStorage entry simply records whether you clicked "accept" or "decline" so that we do not show you the banner again on future visits, and so our site knows whether it is permitted to load analytics cookies.
- Consent record (localStorage): Stores your accept/decline choice from the cookie banner. This is strictly necessary for the banner to function and is not used for tracking or advertising purposes.
- Analytics cookies (only if accepted): If you click "accept" on the banner, our analytics provider's cookies are permitted to load. These help us understand how visitors use Socket Shed, such as which component reviews and build guides are most popular, how long people stay on a page, and which pages lead to high bounce rates. If you click "decline", these cookies are never set and no analytics scripts are loaded.
Third-Party Analytics Cookies
Where you have given consent, we use a third-party web analytics service to collect aggregated, non-identifying statistics about how visitors interact with our PC component reviews, buying guides, and custom build articles. These third-party cookies may record information such as your approximate location (at a country or city level), device and browser type, pages visited, and referring website. This data helps us decide which topics, such as GPU comparisons, PSU reliability guides, or case airflow reviews, deserve more coverage.
Our analytics provider may set its own cookies directly in your browser once consent is given. These cookies are governed by that provider's own privacy and cookie policies, in addition to this one. We do not control the exact lifespan of third-party cookies, though most analytics cookies typically expire within 13 to 24 months unless cleared sooner.
Cookies We Do Not Use
Socket Shed does not use cookies for advertising, retargeting, or cross-site tracking. We do not sell visitor data, and we do not use cookies to build advertising profiles. We do not embed social media "like" or "share" widgets that set tracking cookies without your knowledge.
How to Withdraw or Change Your Consent
Because your consent choice is stored in your browser's localStorage rather than in a persistent account setting, you can withdraw or reset your consent at any time by clearing your browser's site data for socketshed.com. The exact steps vary by browser, but generally involve:
- Opening your browser's settings or privacy menu.
- Locating the section for "Site Settings", "Cookies and Site Data", or "Privacy and Security".
- Finding socketshed.com in the list of sites and choosing to clear cookies, local storage, and cached data for that site.
- Alternatively, clearing your browser's entire cookie and local storage cache will reset your consent choice for all websites, including ours.
Once you clear this data, the consent banner will reappear the next time you visit Socket Shed, and you will be able to make a fresh choice to accept or decline analytics cookies.
Browser Controls
Most web browsers also allow you to block or restrict cookies entirely through their settings, and to delete cookies that have already been set. Please note that blocking all cookies may affect the functionality of the consent banner itself, as it relies on localStorage to remember your preference. If you block all storage mechanisms, you may see the consent banner repeatedly on each visit.
Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies and analytics tools we use, or for legal and regulatory reasons. Any changes will be posted on this page, and we encourage you to review it periodically.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how Socket Shed uses cookies and local storage, please reach out via the contact details listed on our website.