Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 2026
This policy explains what cookies are, how we use them on Compare Factors Scotland, and how you can manage your preferences.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device when you visit them. They're widely used to make websites work efficiently, remember your preferences, and provide information to website owners.
Some cookies are "session cookies" that are deleted when you close your browser. Others are "persistent cookies" that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them.
How we use cookies
We use cookies for three main purposes:
- Essential cookies - Required for our website to function properly
- Analytics cookies - Help us understand how visitors use our site so we can improve it
- Marketing cookies - Used to deliver relevant advertisements (currently not in use)
You can choose which non-essential cookies to accept using the cookie preferences button at the bottom of your screen.
Essential cookies
Always Active
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually only set in response to actions you take, such as setting your privacy preferences or filling in forms.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
cf_cookie_consent |
Stores your cookie consent preferences so we remember your choices | 1 year |
Analytics cookies
Optional
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. We use Google Analytics 4 with IP anonymisation enabled, meaning your full IP address is never stored.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_ga |
Used by Google Analytics to distinguish unique users by assigning a randomly generated number | 2 years |
_ga_* |
Used by Google Analytics 4 to persist session state | 2 years |
_gid |
Used by Google Analytics to distinguish users | 24 hours |
_gat |
Used by Google Analytics to throttle request rate | 1 minute |
Analytics data is retained for 14 months before being automatically deleted.
Marketing cookies
Optional
These cookies may be set through our site by advertising partners to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. We currently do not use marketing cookies, but the option exists in our consent system for future use.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_fbp |
Used by Meta (Facebook) to deliver advertisements - not currently active | 3 months |
_fbc |
Used by Meta to track clicks from Facebook ads - not currently active | 3 months |
_gcl_au |
Used by Google Ads to track conversions - not currently active | 3 months |
Third-party cookies
We use Google Analytics to help us understand how our website is used. Google may set cookies on your device when analytics are enabled. You can learn more about how Google uses data at Google's Privacy Policy.
We also use Google Fonts to display text on our website. Google Fonts does not set cookies but may log your IP address. Learn more at Google Fonts Privacy FAQ.
Managing cookies in your browser
In addition to our cookie preferences panel, you can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- See what cookies are stored and delete them individually
- Block third-party cookies
- Block cookies from specific websites
- Block all cookies
- Delete all cookies when you close your browser
Please note that blocking all cookies may affect your experience on our website and others. Here are links to manage cookies in common browsers:
Changes to this policy
We may update this cookie policy from time to time. When we make changes, we'll update the "last updated" date at the top of this page. If we make significant changes to how we use cookies, we may also reset your consent preferences so you can make a new choice.
Contact us
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us or read our Privacy Policy for more information about how we handle your data.