What cookies this site uses.
Today: this site sets no tracking cookies. When that changes (and it will, when I add analytics), you'll see a consent banner the first time you visit, and this page will explain exactly what's tracked.
1. What are cookies, briefly
Cookies are small text files that websites store on your device. They're used for many purposes — keeping you logged in, remembering your settings, or tracking your behavior across the web. Under EU law (GDPR + the ePrivacy Directive), websites that set non-essential cookies must get your consent first.
2. Cookies currently in use on this site
Analytics only, and only with your consent. I use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand which pages get visited and how visitors find this site. The GA4 cookies only load if you click "Accept analytics" on the cookie banner. If you decline, nothing tracking-related is set on your device.
What gets set if you accept
If you accept analytics, these cookies are stored on your device:
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga |
Google Analytics 4 | Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated ID. No personal information. | 2 years |
_ga_G4N87D2PHJ |
Google Analytics 4 | Persists session state for this specific GA4 property. | 2 years |
pabc_consent |
This website | Remembers your cookie consent choice ("accepted" or "declined") so the banner doesn't reappear. Stored in localStorage, not transmitted to any server. | Persistent (until cleared) |
What I do with the analytics data
I look at aggregate numbers: which pages get visited, where visitors come from (search, LinkedIn, direct), what country, what device. I use this to understand which articles resonate and what to write more of. I do not use GA4 for advertising, profile-building, or sharing data with third parties beyond Google itself. GA4 is configured with IP anonymization enabled.
How to revoke consent
If you previously accepted and want to change your mind: clear your browser's localStorage for pabcconsulting.com, or clear all site data. The cookie banner will reappear on your next visit and you can decline.
You can also block GA4 entirely with browser extensions like uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, or the official Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on.
Technical / security cookies
Some technical cookies from my infrastructure provider may be set in rare cases for security reasons (DDoS protection, bot detection). These are strictly necessary and don't require consent under the ePrivacy Directive.
3. What's coming: Google Analytics + Search Console
I plan to add Google Analytics 4 and Google Search Console in the near future to understand how people find and use the site. Both involve cookies. When I add them:
- A consent banner will appear on your first visit, asking you to accept or reject non-essential cookies.
- If you reject, no analytics cookies will be set, and the site will continue to work normally.
- If you accept, the cookies in the table below will be set.
- This page will be updated to reflect the change.
- Existing subscribers will not be notified separately, as no personal data of theirs is affected by analytics cookies.
Future cookies (when analytics are activated):
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique visitors | 2 years |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics | Maintains session state | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users (24h) | 24 hours |
Search Console doesn't set cookies — it verifies domain ownership through DNS or a static file, not browser tracking.
4. What I won't add
I'm not planning to add any of the following, and I'd tell you here if I did:
- Advertising cookies — no Google Ads, no Facebook Pixel, no LinkedIn Insight Tag, no retargeting.
- Behavioral analytics — no Hotjar, FullStory, Mixpanel, or session-replay tools.
- Third-party social plugins — no Facebook Like buttons, Twitter widgets, or anything else that loads tracking code on every page.
If a future business reason makes any of these necessary, this page will be updated before they go live, and a consent banner will appear.
5. How to control cookies in your browser
Independent of any consent banner I add, you can always control cookies through your browser settings. Each browser has its own way:
6. Contact
Questions about cookies or anything privacy-related: privacy@pabcconsulting.com