This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, which cookies OrthodontistNearMe uses at theorthodontistnearme.com, and how you can control them. It is meant to complement our Privacy Policy, which covers personal information more broadly.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that a website stores on your computer or mobile device when you visit. They allow the site to remember information about your visit, like your preferences, login status, or whether you have seen certain content. Most modern websites use cookies in some form.
Cookies are typically classified by:
- Who sets them. First-party cookies are set by the site you are visiting. Third-party cookies are set by another company whose service is embedded on the site, such as an analytics provider.
- How long they last. Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a defined period.
- What they do. Some are essential to make the site work. Others are used for analytics, personalization, or advertising.
Why we use cookies
We use cookies to:
- Make the site work, including features like the directory search, your account, and the shopping cart for premium listings
- Remember your preferences across pages
- Understand how the site is used so we can improve it
- Keep the site secure
We do not use cookies for advertising, behavioral profiling, or selling your data to third parties.
Types of cookies we use
We group cookies into three categories based on their purpose:
- Essential cookies. Required for the site to function. Without them, features like logging in, claiming a listing, or completing a payment would not work. These cannot be turned off without breaking the site.
- Functional cookies. Help the site remember choices you make, like preferences or login status, to give you a better experience. The site still works without them, but you may need to re-enter information.
- Analytics cookies. Help us understand how visitors use the site, which pages are popular, and how to improve the experience. The information is collected in aggregate and does not personally identify you.
Specific cookies on the site
The tables below list the main cookies the site sets. Exact cookie names and values may change over time as we update the tools that power the site.
About this list. The cookie tables above describe the cookies we use most often. Specific names and durations may vary slightly depending on browser, plugin updates, and traffic conditions. We update this list when we make material changes to the tools we use.
Third-party cookies
Some cookies on the site are set by third parties whose services we use. The main one is:
- Google Analytics (Google LLC). Helps us understand how the site is used. Google’s privacy practices are described at policies.google.com/privacy. You can opt out of Google Analytics across all sites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
If you complete a payment for a premium listing, Stripe (our payment processor) may also set cookies during the checkout process to prevent fraud and complete the transaction. These cookies are set by Stripe directly. See Stripe’s cookie settings page for details.
How to control cookies
Through your browser
Most browsers let you view, manage, and delete cookies. You can usually:
- Block all cookies, though this may break parts of the site
- Block third-party cookies only, which still allows essential first-party cookies to work
- Delete cookies that have already been set
- Set the browser to delete all cookies when you close it
Instructions vary by browser. Here are links to the major ones:
Through Google Analytics
To stop Google Analytics from tracking your visits to any site, including ours, install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. It works in most major browsers and is free.
What happens if you block cookies? Essential cookies are required for features like logging in, claiming a listing, and completing a payment. If you block all cookies, those features will not work. Blocking only analytics cookies will not affect site functionality.
Do Not Track signals
Some browsers send a “Do Not Track” (DNT) signal indicating that you do not want to be tracked across websites. Industry-standard practices for honoring DNT signals are still being defined. At this time, we do not change our cookie behavior based on DNT signals.
However, we do respect the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal where it is required by law, including for California residents under the CCPA. If your browser sends a GPC signal, we treat it as an opt-out of any sale or sharing of personal information.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time, especially when we add or remove tools that set cookies. When we make changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of the page. Your continued use of the site after a change means you accept the updated policy.
Contact us
If you have questions about cookies or this policy, please reach out:
OrthodontistNearMe Privacy Team
Email: hello@theorthodontistnearme.com
Contact form: theorthodontistnearme.com/contact/
See also our Privacy Policy for details on personal information we collect and how we use it.
