Cookie Policy

Last updated: January 2025

This Cookie Policy explains how AffiliateForge uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your experience and track affiliate performance.

1. What Are Cookies?

🍪 Definition

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit websites. They help websites remember your preferences, login status, and provide personalized experiences.

📁 File Type

Small text files (typically 4KB or less)

📍 Storage Location

Stored in your browser's data folder

⏰ Duration

Can be temporary (session) or persistent

🔒 Security

Cannot execute code or contain viruses

2. Types of Cookies We Use

🔧 Essential Cookies

Required

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled.

Authentication

Keep you logged in to your affiliate account

Session

Security

Prevent cross-site request forgery attacks

Session

Load Balancing

Distribute traffic across our servers

Session

📊 Performance Cookies

Optional

Help us understand how you interact with our website to improve performance.

Google Analytics

Track website usage and user behavior

26 months

Performance Monitoring

Monitor page load times and errors

30 days

A/B Testing

Test different versions of pages

90 days

⚙️ Functional Cookies

Optional

Remember your preferences and provide enhanced functionality.

Language Preferences

Remember your chosen language

1 year

Dashboard Settings

Save your dashboard customizations

6 months

Theme Preferences

Remember dark/light mode selection

1 year

🎯 Marketing Cookies

Optional

Track affiliate referrals and provide targeted advertising.

Affiliate Tracking

Track which affiliate referred you

30 days

Conversion Tracking

Measure effectiveness of marketing campaigns

90 days

Retargeting

Show relevant ads on other websites

30 days

3. Third-Party Cookies

We use third-party services that may set their own cookies. These partners have their own privacy policies:

🔍 Google Analytics

Purpose: Website analytics and user behavior tracking

Duration: Up to 26 months

Data: Anonymized user interactions and demographics

Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out

📘 Facebook Pixel

Purpose: Track conversions and create custom audiences

Duration: Up to 180 days

Data: Website interactions and conversion events

Opt-out: Facebook Ad Preferences

💳 Stripe

Purpose: Secure payment processing

Duration: Session cookies only

Data: Payment security and fraud prevention

Policy: Stripe Privacy Policy

📧 Mailchimp

Purpose: Email marketing and automation

Duration: Up to 30 days

Data: Email engagement and subscriber preferences

Policy: Mailchimp Privacy Policy

4. Affiliate Tracking & Commission Cookies

🔗 How Affiliate Tracking Works

When you click an affiliate link on our platform, we use cookies to:

👤 Identify Referrals

Track which affiliate referred the customer

💰 Calculate Commissions

Ensure affiliates receive proper credit for sales

📊 Measure Performance

Analyze click-through and conversion rates

🛡️ Prevent Fraud

Detect and prevent fraudulent activities

🕐 Cookie Duration

  • Standard Duration: 30 days from last click
  • Extended Duration: Up to 90 days for premium offers
  • Session Tracking: Until browser is closed
  • First-Click Attribution: Credit first affiliate in customer journey
  • Last-Click Attribution: Credit most recent affiliate interaction

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

🎛️ Cookie Consent Center

Use our cookie preference center to control which categories of cookies you accept:

🌐 Browser Settings

Control cookies through your browser settings:

Chrome

Settings → Advanced → Privacy and security → Cookies

Firefox

Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data

Safari

Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data

Edge

Settings → Site permissions → Cookies and site data

📱 Mobile Devices

Manage cookies on mobile browsers:

  • iOS Safari: Settings → Safari → Privacy & Security
  • Android Chrome: Chrome menu → Settings → Site settings → Cookies
  • Samsung Internet: Menu → Settings → Sites and downloads → Cookies

⚠️ Impact of Disabling Cookies

🔧 Essential Cookies

Disabling may prevent core website functionality, login, and security features.

📊 Performance Cookies

We won't be able to improve website performance based on usage patterns.

⚙️ Functional Cookies

You'll need to reset preferences each time you visit.

🎯 Marketing Cookies

Affiliate tracking may not work properly, affecting commission attribution.

6. Cookie Security & Privacy

🔒 Security Measures

Secure Transmission

Cookies transmitted over HTTPS connections

HttpOnly Flags

Prevent JavaScript access to sensitive cookies

Data Minimization

Only collect necessary information

Expiration Dates

Automatic deletion after specified periods

🛡️ Privacy Protections

  • No Personal Data: Most cookies contain only anonymous identifiers
  • Data Anonymization: Analytics data is aggregated and anonymized
  • Limited Sharing: Cookie data shared only with essential service providers
  • Regular Deletion: Automated cleanup of expired cookies
  • Access Controls: Restricted access to cookie data within our organization

7. Legal Compliance

🇪🇺 GDPR Compliance

For EU users, we provide:

  • Clear consent mechanisms
  • Granular cookie controls
  • Easy withdrawal of consent
  • Detailed cookie information

🇺🇸 CCPA Compliance

For California residents:

  • Right to know about cookie usage
  • Right to delete cookie data
  • Right to opt-out of data sales
  • Non-discrimination for privacy choices

🍪 ePrivacy Directive

Cookie consent requirements:

  • Prior consent for non-essential cookies
  • Clear information about cookie purposes
  • Easy consent withdrawal
  • Regular consent renewal

8. Updates to Cookie Policy

🔄 Regular Reviews

We review this Cookie Policy regularly to ensure it remains accurate and compliant with changing regulations and business practices.

📢 Change Notifications

We'll notify you of material changes through:

  • Email notifications to registered users
  • Prominent website banners
  • Updated consent prompts
  • In-app notifications

✅ Consent Renewal

Significant changes may require renewed consent for cookie usage.

9. Contact Information

🍪 Cookie Questions

Email: cookies@affiliateforge.com
Subject: Cookie Policy Inquiry

🔒 Privacy Officer

Email: privacy@affiliateforge.com
For privacy and data protection concerns

📞 General Support

Email: support@affiliateforge.com
Response time: 24-48 hours

This Cookie Policy is effective as of January 1, 2025

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