Cookie Policy
Last updated: August 24, 2026
Overview
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. Similar technologies — such as local storage, session storage, and pixels — can serve comparable purposes. Together, we refer to these as “cookies and similar technologies.”
This Cookie Policy explains how Wide Reads (“we,” “our,” or “us”) uses cookies and similar technologies on widereads.com (the “Site”). It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.
We use cookies to keep the Site working and understand how it is used. We do not sell your personal information. See our Privacy Policy for how we handle personal data.
How We Categorize Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are required for core Site functions such as secure login, session maintenance, and fraud prevention. They cannot be switched off in our systems without breaking those features.
| Name / provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
wr_account_session (Wide Reads) | Maintains your signed-in session when you log in to an account | Up to 30 days |
admin_session (Wide Reads) | HttpOnly session for authorized admin access only | 24 hours |
If you block strictly necessary cookies, account features (bookmarks, reading history, subscriptions) may not work correctly.
Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us measure traffic and understand how visitors use the Site so we can improve content and navigation. Data is aggregated for reporting; we use it to improve the Site, not to sell personal profiles.
| Name / provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_ga (Google Analytics) | Distinguishes unique visitors | Up to 2 years |
_ga_* (Google Analytics) | Maintains session state for a property | Up to 2 years |
_gid (Google Analytics) | Distinguishes users over a short period | 24 hours |
Payment and Checkout Cookies
If you subscribe or manage billing through Stripe, Stripe may set cookies or similar identifiers during checkout and customer-portal sessions to process payments securely and prevent fraud. These appear only when you interact with payment flows.
Third-Party Services
Third parties that may set cookies or collect data through the Site include:
- Google Analytics — usage measurement (Google Privacy Policy)
- Upstash — account data storage for signed-in users (Upstash Privacy Policy)
- Stripe — payment processing for subscriptions (Stripe Privacy Policy)
- Vercel — hosting (Vercel Privacy Policy)
Local Storage and Similar Technologies
In addition to cookies, the Site may store small amounts of data in your browser using local storage or session storage. Unlike cookies, this data is not sent automatically with every request.
- Account-related features: Some signed-in preferences and progress are stored server-side (Upstash Redis) rather than in browser cookies.
- Limited local storage: Certain pages may store non-sensitive values locally — for example, to remember an early-access email gate on a specific book launch page.
- Admin tools: Internal admin dashboards may cache non-personal audit data locally for convenience; this does not apply to general visitors.
You can clear local storage through your browser settings in the same area where you manage cookies.
How to Manage Cookies
Browser Settings
Most browsers let you view, delete, or block cookies. You can usually:
- Delete all cookies or cookies from specific sites
- Block third-party cookies while allowing first-party cookies
- Clear local storage and session storage
- Set site-specific exceptions
Blocking or deleting cookies may affect Site functionality — especially account login, bookmarks, and reading history.
Browser-Specific Instructions
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies
Opt-Out Tools
You can limit certain third-party tracking cookies using these tools:
- Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
Regional Notice
Visitors in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, and similar jurisdictions may have additional rights regarding non-essential cookies. We ask for your consent before enabling analytics cookies through the cookie banner on your first visit.
You can change your choice anytime using Cookie Settings in the site footer. Essential cookies (such as sign-in sessions) remain active so the Site can function.
Do Not Track
Some browsers send a “Do Not Track” (DNT) signal. There is no universal industry standard for responding to DNT. At this time, we do not alter our practices solely because a DNT signal is present.
Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when we add services, change analytics providers, or when laws or our practices change. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this page.
Contact Us
Questions about cookies or similar technologies on Wide Reads:
Email: privacy@widereads.com
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