Cookie Policy Overview
Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I'm Evlin Ardelo, and I love sharing my culinary adventures with you. Just like a well-organized kitchen makes baking easier, a well-functioning website relies on small tools to work its best. This Cookie Policy explains one of those key tools: cookies.
You might be wondering, what exactly are cookies? Don't worry, they aren't the edible kind! In website terms, cookies are tiny text files that are placed on your computer or device when you visit a site like mine. Think of them as helpful little notes that remember your preferences and actions. For example, they can recall that you've already dismissed a pop-up notification or that you prefer to view the website in dark mode. This makes your next visit smoother and more personal.
I use cookies on this blog for a few important reasons. Primarily, they help ensure the site functions correctly. They also provide me with anonymous, aggregated information about how visitors use the site—like which recipes are the most popular. This data is incredibly valuable as it helps me understand what you enjoy and how I can improve your experience. I do not use cookies to personally identify you, and the information is never used for anything other than analyzing site performance.
Your privacy is important. Depending on where you are in the world, regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in California give you specific rights regarding your data. This policy is designed to be compliant with the spirit of these regulations by being transparent about the data collected.
Most importantly, you are in control of your cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser settings to decline them if you prefer. You can also delete existing cookies from your device at any time. Please be aware that choosing to disable cookies might affect the functionality of this and many other websites you visit. You might not be able to fully experience all the features I’ve designed to make your time here enjoyable.
By continuing to use my blog, you are agreeing to the use of cookies as described in this policy. I'm committed to creating a welcoming and transparent space for all food lovers. If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy, please feel free to contact me.
Understanding Website Cookies
In the digital world, a cookie is a small piece of data that a website sends to your browser. Think of it as a tiny digital nametag that helps a site remember you. When you visit a website for the first time, it gives your browser this nametag. Your browser then stores it on your device. On subsequent visits, your browser shows the site this nametag, allowing it to recall your preferences and past actions.
This process happens behind the scenes. When you request a webpage, your browser sends any relevant cookies back to the server along with your request. This is how a site can keep you logged in, remember items in your shopping cart, or display content tailored to your region. Without cookies, the web would be a much less personalized and more cumbersome experience.
Cookies come in different types. The key distinction is between first-party and third-party cookies. A first-party cookie is set by the website you are directly visiting, like EvlinArdelo.com. We use these to remember your login status or your language preference. A third-party cookie, however, is set by a domain other than the one you're on, often by advertisers or analytics services, to track your browsing across different sites.
Another important difference is between session and persistent cookies. Session cookies are temporary and are deleted as soon as you close your browser. They manage your single browsing session, like navigating through a recipe gallery. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. These are the cookies that remember your username for your next visit.
At Evlin Ardelo, we use cookies with transparency and respect for your privacy. Our first-party cookies are designed to enhance your experience on our food blog. They help us understand which recipes are most popular, remember your dietary filter settings, and ensure the website functions smoothly. We are committed to using these tools responsibly to create a more intuitive and delightful culinary journey for you.
Categories of Cookies Utilized
At Evlin Ardelo, I am committed to transparency about how this website operates. Like most modern websites, this personal blog uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. This page explains the types of cookies I use and why.
In essence, cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a site. They help the site remember information about your visit, which can make your next visit easier and the site more useful to you.
Here is a breakdown of the specific types of cookies used on Evlin Ardelo:
- Essential / Necessary Cookies: These are crucial for the basic functions of the website. They enable core features like navigation, accessing secure areas, and remembering your cookie consent preferences. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.
- Functional Cookies: These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your username, language, or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. Their purpose is to provide you with a more personalized experience.
- Analytics / Performance Cookies: As a blogger, I'm always looking to improve. These cookies help me understand how visitors interact with the website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This data, which shows me which recipes are most popular or which pages are confusing, is essential for me to enhance the quality of my content for all readers.
- Marketing / Advertising Cookies: These cookies are used to track visitors across websites. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for you. For example, if you've been reading my dessert recipes, you might see an ad for baking supplies on another site. These are often set by third-party advertising networks.
As a Personal Blog, functionality specific to my site relies on a few key areas. Commenting systems (like the one you might use to ask a question about a recipe) use cookies to remember your details for future visits. Social media platforms may also set cookies when you use their sharing buttons, allowing you to easily share a recipe you love with your friends.
You can control and/or delete cookies as you wish. You can delete all cookies that are already on your computer and set most browsers to prevent them from being placed. However, if you do this, you may have to manually adjust some preferences every time you visit a site, and some services and functionalities may not work.
Essential Cookies
Welcome to my kitchen! Just as a few essential ingredients are non-negotiable for a perfect cookie recipe, our website relies on a small number of essential cookies to function properly. These aren't for marketing or tracking, but for the core operations that make your visit smooth and secure.
Think of essential cookies as the flour and eggs of your browsing experience. They are small pieces of data that enable fundamental features. Without them, key parts of the website simply wouldn't work. Unlike other types of cookies, these cannot be disabled through our consent banner because they are strictly necessary for the service you request.
Here are some examples of what these essential cookies do for Evlin Ardelo:
- Authentication & Security: These cookies keep you logged in as you move between pages, so you don't have to re-enter your password when commenting on a recipe. They also help protect your account by supporting security features.
- Basic Functionality: They remember your preferences, like whether you've dismissed a pop-up or chosen a specific language setting, ensuring a consistent experience.
- Shopping Cart & Comments: If you use a shop feature, these cookies remember the items you've selected. They also help manage the comment system, linking your contributions to your session.
By enabling these core features, essential cookies are the foundation upon which your interaction with this personal blog is built. Their use is based on a legitimate interest to provide you with the secure, functional website you expect. We do not use this data for any other purpose, and your privacy remains a top priority. Thank you for understanding how these little digital helpers make our community and content accessible to you!
Analytics Cookie Information
Here at Evlin Ardelo, transparency is a key ingredient in everything I do, and that includes how this blog operates. Like many websites, I use analytics cookies to understand how you interact with my content, allowing me to create a better experience for you.
The Purpose of Analytics Cookies
These cookies are little text files that help me see the bigger picture. They show me which recipes are your favorites, what content you find most helpful, and how you navigate the site. This is invaluable feedback that goes far beyond just counting visitors.
Services and Data Collected
To gather these insights, I use trusted third-party services like Google Analytics. The data collected is anonymous and aggregated, meaning it doesn't identify you personally. It includes information such as:
- Pages Visited: Which recipes and articles are most popular.
- Time Spent on Pages: How long you spend reading a post, indicating engagement.
- Interactions: What you click on, from recipe links to embedded videos.
- Referral Sources: How you found the blog (e.g., through social media or a search engine).
How This Improves Your Experience
This data is my secret weapon for improvement. If I see a particular cuisine is trending, I can develop more recipes in that area. If a cooking tutorial has a high bounce rate, I can revise it to be clearer. Essentially, your behavior directly shapes future content, making Evlin Ardelo more useful and enjoyable for everyone.
Your Control and Compliance
You have full control over these cookies. When you first visited, you were asked for consent via a cookie banner. You can change your preferences or opt-out at any time through your browser settings. I am committed to compliance with data privacy regulations, ensuring your visit is both delightful and secure.
Managing Advertising Cookies
Here at Evlin Ardelo, we believe in transparency. To keep our site running and filled with free, delicious recipes, we work with advertising partners. This content explains how we use advertising cookies and how you can manage your preferences.
The Purpose of Advertising Cookies
Advertising cookies help us deliver ads that are relevant to your interests. Instead of showing you random promotions, these cookies allow our partners to serve ads for products you might actually love—like a new kitchen gadget or a specialty ingredient. This relevance makes the ads more useful for you and helps generate the revenue that supports our blog.
Our Advertising Partners and How Targeting Works
We use services like Google AdSense and other third-party ad networks. These companies use cookies to collect non-personally identifiable information based on your browsing activity on our site and across the web. This information might include:
- The pages you visit on Evlin Ardelo.
- Your general geographic location (e.g., city level).
- Your interests inferred from your browsing habits.
Your Control and Opt-Out Options
You have control over your advertising experience. You can:
- Manage cookies in your browser: Most browsers allow you to delete or block cookies. Check your browser's "Help" section for instructions.
- Opt out directly from ad networks: Many third-party advertisers are members of the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) or the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA). You can visit their websites (NAI or DAA opt-out pages) to opt out of targeted advertising from participating companies.
Other Advertising Regulations
We are committed to complying with applicable privacy regulations. Our advertising practices are designed to respect user choice and provide clear information, as outlined in our Privacy Policy, which we encourage you to review for more detailed information.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
To ensure the best experience on our food blog, Evlin Ardelo uses cookies. These small text files help us remember your preferences, analyze site traffic, and personalize your culinary journey. However, we believe in putting you in control of your privacy.
Managing Cookies in Your Browser
You can control how cookies are handled directly through your web browser's settings. Here’s how to access these settings on popular browsers:
- Google Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data. Here you can block third-party cookies or clear all existing data.
- Mozilla Firefox: Navigate to Options > Privacy & Security. Under "Cookies and Site Data," you can choose to block cookies and manage exceptions.
- Apple Safari: Access Preferences > Privacy. You can manage cookie blocking and remove stored website data.
- Microsoft Edge: Click Settings > Cookies and site permissions. Under "Cookies and site data," you can block cookies or clear browsing data upon closing the browser.
Impact on Your Evlin Ardelo Experience
If you choose to disable cookies, please be aware that some features of our website may not function correctly. For example, we may not be able to save your login information, remember your dietary filters (e.g., "gluten-free" or "vegetarian"), or personalize recipe recommendations based on your browsing history.
Managing Cookies on Mobile Devices
You can also manage cookies on your smartphone or tablet:
- iOS (Safari): Go to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security. Use the "Block All Cookies" toggle and "Clear History and Website Data."
- Android (Chrome): Open the Chrome app menu > Settings > Site settings > Cookies. You can toggle cookies on or off.
Additional Privacy Controls
Many advertising alliances offer tools to opt out of targeted advertising cookies from their members. You can visit sites like the Digital Advertising Alliance or the Your Online Choices portal to manage preferences across many sites at once.
You can also enable the "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature in your browser settings. While we respect your privacy, please note that not all websites respond to DNT signals. Finally, you can always revisit your cookie preferences for Evlin Ardelo by clicking on the Cookie Settings link in our website's footer.
Third-Party Cookie Usage
Here at Evlin Ardelo, we believe in transparency, especially when it comes to your online experience on our food blog. Part of that involves explaining how common web tools, like third-party cookies, work.
What Are Third-Party Cookies?
Unlike first-party cookies (which remember your login or site preferences), third-party cookies are placed by domains other than the one you're visiting. They are primarily used for cross-site tracking, advertising, and analytics services.
Services We Use & The Data They Collect
To improve our content and keep the site running, we use services that may set third-party cookies:
- Google Analytics: Helps us understand how you use our site (e.g., popular recipes, time spent on pages). It collects anonymized data about your visit.
- Google AdSense: Displays relevant ads from third-party advertisers. These cookies track your browsing interests across sites to show you more useful ads.
- Social Media Plugins: Buttons for sharing recipes on platforms like Pinterest or Facebook may use cookies to track your activity for their own purposes.
Our Privacy Policy & Your Control
Your privacy is important. Our full Privacy Policy details our data practices. You have control over cookies:
- Browser Settings: You can block third-party cookies directly in your browser's privacy settings.
- Consent Banner: When you first visit our site, our cookie consent banner allows you to accept or decline non-essential tracking.
- Ad Preferences: You can manage your ad preferences directly with services like Google's Ad Settings.
Regulations on Tracking
It's also important to note that the use of these technologies is subject to privacy regulations like the GDPR in Europe and the CCPA in California. These laws give users greater control over their personal data. We are committed to complying with these regulations to ensure a respectful and trustworthy experience for all our readers.
Cookie Policy Updates
Here at Evlin Ardelo, we are committed to clarity and transparency in everything we do, including how we handle your data. As our website and services evolve, we may occasionally need to update our Cookie Policy to reflect these changes.
We reserve the right to update this policy at any time. When we make significant changes, we will notify you by posting a prominent notice on our website and/or via email. The effective date at the top of the policy will always indicate the latest revision, so you know exactly which version you are reviewing.
We strongly encourage you to periodically review this policy to stay informed. Your continued use of our site after any update constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.
For your reference, a historical record of previous versions of our Cookie Policy will be available upon request. This allows you to see exactly what has changed over time.
Finally, these updates also ensure our practices remain in full compliance with other applicable legal requirements, such as the GDPR and CCPA. We are dedicated to protecting your privacy while you enjoy our delicious recipes and content.
Contact Information
Have a question about how we handle your data in our Cookie Policy? We're here to help! Your privacy is important to us at Feast Forge LLC, and we want to ensure everything is clear.
The best way to reach us with any privacy-related inquiries is by email. Please feel free to contact our dedicated privacy team directly at [email protected]. We strive to respond to all legitimate inquiries within 7 business days.
If you prefer an alternative method, you can also send a letter to our mailing address. Please address your correspondence to: Feast Forge LLC, Privacy Inquiry, [Street Address], [City, State, Zip Code].
While Feast Forge LLC does not have a formally appointed Data Protection Officer (DPO) at this time, our privacy team is fully equipped to handle all your questions and concerns regarding data protection and our cookie practices.
Please remember that you always have the right to contact your local data protection authority if you have concerns about how we process your data. They are the official supervisory body for privacy matters in your region.
We look forward to hearing from you and thank you for trusting Feast Forge with your culinary adventures!