This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how Home Solar Check uses them, and how you can control them. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, improve performance, and deliver advertising relevant to your interests.
In addition to cookies, we and our partners may use web beacons (also called pixel tags or clear GIFs), JavaScript tags, and similar tracking technologies that function in comparable ways. This policy covers all of these technologies collectively.
2. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
- Essential operation: Some cookies are strictly necessary for the Site to function. Without them, the Site may not work correctly.
- Analytics and performance: We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our Site, including which pages are visited most and where visitors come from. This helps us improve the Site experience.
- Advertising and conversion tracking: We use advertising cookies to measure the performance of our paid search campaigns on Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) and to track when a visitor completes an action on a third-party offer page. These cookies allow us to attribute leads and conversions back to specific ads and keywords.
- Remarketing: Advertising cookies may also be used to serve you relevant ads across the web after you have visited our Site.
3. Cookies We Use
The table below describes the specific cookies and tracking technologies active on this Site:
| Cookie / Technology | Provider | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _uetsid, _uetvid | Microsoft (UET Tag) | Tracks conversions and user sessions for Microsoft Advertising campaigns. Used to measure ad performance and enable remarketing on the Microsoft Advertising Network. | Session / 16 days | |
| MUID | Microsoft | Microsoft user identifier used across Bing and Microsoft services to recognize returning users and deliver relevant advertising. | 13 months | |
| _ga, _ga_* | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users and sessions. Used to compile analytics reports on Site traffic and usage patterns. | 2 years | |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users. Used to throttle request rate. | 24 hours | |
| Affiliate tracking pixel | MaxBounty | Fires when a visitor clicks through to the third-party offer page. Used to attribute leads and commissions to our affiliate account. No personal data is stored beyond a session identifier. | Session / 30 days |
4. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on our Site are set by third parties, not by us. We do not control these third-party cookies or how those companies use the data they collect. The main third parties setting cookies on our Site are:
- Microsoft: UET conversion tracking and Bing remarketing. Microsoft Privacy Statement
- Google: Analytics and traffic measurement. Google Privacy Policy
- MaxBounty: Affiliate conversion tracking. MaxBounty Privacy Policy
5. How to Control Cookies
You have several options for controlling or limiting cookies:
- Browser settings: All modern browsers allow you to manage cookie settings. You can usually find these settings in your browser's "Privacy," "Security," or "Settings" menu. Options typically include blocking all cookies, blocking only third-party cookies, or clearing existing cookies. Note that blocking essential cookies may impair Site functionality.
- Browser-specific guidance:
- Opt out of interest-based advertising: Visit the Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out tool or the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page.
- Microsoft Advertising opt-out: Manage your Microsoft ad preferences at account.microsoft.com/privacy/ad-settings.
- Google Analytics opt-out: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
6. Do Not Track
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want your browsing activity tracked. Because there is no consistent industry standard for responding to DNT signals, our Site does not currently alter its data collection practices in response to DNT signals. We will revisit this if a standard is established.
7. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the technologies we use or applicable laws. When we update it, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of the page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
8. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy, please contact us:
Home Solar Check
Email: [email protected]