Cookie Policy
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by a website when you visit it. They are widely used to make websites work, improve the user experience, and provide information to website owners.
Cookies are not the only form of local storage. We also use localStorage — a browser-based storage mechanism that works similarly but is not transmitted to our servers. Your audit history is stored in localStorage, not in cookies.
2. Cookies We Use
We use the following categories of cookies on websiteseoaudittools.com:
2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the website to function. They cannot be disabled without breaking core functionality.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
__cf_bm |
Cloudflare | Bot management and security — distinguishes humans from automated bots. | 30 minutes |
cf_clearance |
Cloudflare | Stores proof that a browser has passed a security challenge. | 1 year |
2.2 Analytics & Performance Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the website — which pages are most popular, where errors occur, and how performance can be improved. All data is aggregated and anonymous.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga |
Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users. Used to calculate visitor, session, and campaign data. | 2 years |
_ga_* |
Google Analytics | Maintains session state for Google Analytics 4. | 2 years |
_gid |
Google Analytics | Distinguishes users across sessions. | 24 hours |
_gat |
Google Analytics | Throttles request rate to Google's servers. | 1 minute |
2.3 Functional Cookies & localStorage
We use browser localStorage (not a traditional cookie) to store your audit history. This data never leaves your device.
| Key | Storage Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
nexrank_history |
localStorage | Stores up to 20 of your most recent audit results (URL, scores, date) for the history panel. | Until cleared by user |
nexrank_current_audit |
localStorage | Temporarily saves the last audit URL so results can be restored on page reload. Expires after 24 hours. | 24 hours |
3. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies are set by third-party services that appear on our pages:
- Google Fonts: Loading fonts from Google may set cookies or log requests on Google's side. We are working to self-host these fonts to eliminate this. See Google's Privacy Policy.
- Cloudflare: As our CDN and security provider, Cloudflare sets security cookies. See Cloudflare's Privacy Policy.
We do not use advertising cookies, remarketing cookies, or social media tracking cookies.
4. Your Cookie Choices
4.1 Browser Settings
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- View cookies that have been set
- Delete individual cookies or all cookies
- Block cookies from specific sites or third parties
- Block all cookies (note: this may break some website functionality)
For guidance on managing cookies in your specific browser, visit:
4.2 Clearing localStorage
To delete your locally stored audit history, either use the "Clear History" button within the tool, or:
- Open your browser's Developer Tools (usually F12 or Ctrl+Shift+I)
- Go to Application → Local Storage → websiteseoaudittools.com
- Delete the
nexrank_historyandnexrank_current_auditkeys
4.3 Opt Out of Google Analytics
To opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites, you can install the official Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
5. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date above. We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.
6. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us at privacy@websiteseoaudittools.com or via our Contact page.