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Cookie Policy

Last Updated: February 14, 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how Celtic Monitor Education Ltd (“Celtic Monitor”, “we”, “us”) uses cookies and similar technologies on CelticMonitor.cyou (the “Website”). This Cookie Policy supplements our Privacy Policy, which describes how we handle personal data more broadly.

Cookies help the Website work reliably, remember your preferences, and (if you choose) allow measurement and advertising features. Some technologies behave like cookies but are not stored as small files in your browser. Examples include pixel tags and server-side event logging used to measure page views or form submissions. We group these technologies into the same categories described below so that your choices remain clear.

1) What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device (computer, phone, or tablet). They are widely used to make websites function, improve performance, and provide information to website owners. Cookies can be “first-party” (set by our Website) or “third-party” (set by a service provider we use).

Some cookies last only while your browser is open (“session” cookies). Others remain for longer (“persistent” cookies) and expire after a defined period or when you delete them.

2) Why we use cookies

Celtic Monitor is an education-first platform. Cookies are used mainly to keep the Website stable and to help us understand which guides and pages are being used so we can improve clarity. If you opt in, marketing cookies can help measure the performance of ads and avoid showing the same message repeatedly.

  • Essential: security, session continuity, and saving your cookie preferences.
  • Analytics (optional): understanding how visitors use the Website so we can improve content structure and navigation.
  • Marketing (optional): measuring advertising performance and building audiences for relevant messages.

3) Cookie categories we use

A. Essential cookies (always active)

Essential cookies are required for the Website to function. They include items such as session continuity and remembering whether you have accepted or rejected optional cookies. These cookies do not require consent because they are necessary to deliver the Website features you request.

B. Analytics cookies (optional)

Analytics cookies help us understand how the Website is used: which pages are visited, how long people spend reading, and which links are clicked. This helps us improve guide structure and identify confusing sections. We only enable analytics cookies if you opt in via the cookie banner or the preferences modal.

When analytics is enabled, we expect to use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) with IP anonymisation settings. GA4 uses cookies such as _ga and _ga_XXXXXXXXXX. Analytics retention is typically configured for 14 months.

C. Marketing cookies (optional)

Marketing cookies are used to measure advertising performance and show relevant messages. For example, a marketing cookie may record that you visited a page about beginner cycling or maintenance basics, so that an advert about a workshop does not repeat the same message too frequently. We only enable marketing cookies if you opt in via the cookie banner or the preferences modal.

When marketing is enabled, we expect to use tools such as Google Ads conversion linking (_gcl_au) and Meta Pixel identifiers (_fbp and _fbc). Where server-side measurement is used, it may rely on event transmission rather than storing an additional cookie, but it will still follow your consent choice.

4) Cookie table

The table below lists the cookies commonly associated with our categories. Actual cookies present can vary depending on your settings, device, and whether you have opted in to analytics or marketing.

Name Purpose Category Type Retention
_site_session Site session continuity Essential First-party Session
cookie_consent Stores your consent choice Essential First-party 12 months
_ga GA4 user identifier Analytics Third-party 2 years
_ga_XXXXXXXXXX GA4 session state (10-char GA4 ID) Analytics Third-party 2 years
_gcl_au Google Ads conversion linker Marketing Third-party 90 days
_fbp Meta Pixel browser identifier Marketing Third-party 90 days
_fbc Meta Pixel click identifier Marketing Third-party 90 days

5) Third-party providers

If you opt in to analytics and/or marketing cookies, some information may be processed by third-party providers acting as service partners. These providers typically set or read cookie identifiers, and they may process technical and usage information (such as page views, referrers, and conversions).

  • Google LLC (Google Analytics 4, Google Ads measurement)
  • Meta Platforms (Meta Pixel measurement and advertising audiences)
  • Cloudflare (security and performance features, such as bot detection and content delivery)

We do not permit these providers to use Website data for their own independent commercial purposes. Where we use them, they act as service providers supporting our measurement and security needs.

6) Managing cookie preferences

You can manage your cookie preferences at any time by using the “Manage cookie preferences” link in the footer. This opens our cookie banner and preferences modal so you can accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or select categories.

You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to delete cookies, block third-party cookies, or block all cookies. If you block essential cookies, parts of the Website may not function correctly.

Opt-out tools that may be relevant if you have opted in:

7) Contact

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies, contact us:

Ask a privacy or cookie question

If something in this policy is unclear, send us a note. We respond within 1 business day. Please avoid sharing sensitive personal information in your message.

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