Cookie Policy
Granular consent, honest disclosure.
Last updated: April 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how The Planet Deals LLC ("we," "us," or "our"), operating as ThePlanetTools.ai, uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit theplanettools.ai (the "Site").
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They are used to make websites work more efficiently, provide analytics, and enable certain features. Cookies can be "persistent" (remaining until deleted or expired) or "session" cookies (removed when you close the browser). Similar technologies include local storage, pixels, and UET tags — all of which are covered by this policy.
Our three-category consent system
When you first visit the Site, a banner lets you accept, reject, or customize cookies across three distinct categories. You can reopen this panel anytime using the "Manage cookies" link in the footer.
1. Strictly necessary
Always onRequired for the Site to function: security, session handling, and the consent system itself. No opt-out.
2. Analytics
Opt-inGoogle Analytics 4 and Microsoft Clarity. Helps us understand how the Site is used, in aggregate and anonymized form.
3. Advertising
Opt-inMicrosoft Bing UET and affiliate click-measurement pixels. Used to measure campaign performance and attribute affiliate conversions.
Categories 2 and 3 are disabled by default. Nothing in those categories loads until you explicitly opt in.
Category 1 — Strictly necessary cookies
These are required for the Site to operate. You cannot opt out of them. Legal basis: legitimate interest (ePrivacy Directive Article 5(3) "strictly necessary" exemption).
| Cookie / storage | Set by | Purpose | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| tpt-cookie-consent-v1 | ThePlanetTools.ai | Stores your consent choices so the banner doesn't reappear. | Local storage, 12 months |
| theme | ThePlanetTools.ai | Remembers your light/dark mode choice. | Local storage, 12 months |
| __vercel_* | Vercel (hosting) | Infrastructure security, routing, and platform performance. | Session |
Category 2 — Analytics cookies
Loaded only if you opt in. Help us understand aggregate traffic patterns, broken pages, and user-experience issues. Legal basis: your consent (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a)).
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga, _ga_* | Google (GA4) | Distinguish unique visitors and sessions. IP anonymization enabled. | Up to 24 months |
| _gid | Google (GA4) | Distinguish users for session-level analytics. | 24 hours |
| _clck | Microsoft Clarity | Assigns a persistent user ID for session replay and heatmaps. | 12 months |
| _clsk | Microsoft Clarity | Links page views into a single session recording. | 1 day |
Microsoft Clarity may record mouse clicks, mouse movements, and scroll activity. Sensitive form fields (passwords, email) are masked automatically.
Category 3 — Advertising cookies
Loaded only if you opt in. Used to measure the effectiveness of campaigns and attribute affiliate-driven conversions. Legal basis: your consent (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a)).
| Cookie / tag | Set by | Purpose | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| _uetsid, _uetvid | Microsoft Bing UET | Attributes visits from Bing Ads campaigns and measures conversions. | 1 day / 13 months |
| MUID | Microsoft | Cross-Microsoft-property user identifier used with UET. | 13 months |
| Affiliate tracking pixels | Impact, PartnerStack, Rewardful, vendor-specific tags | Attributes affiliate clicks to conversions so commissions are paid. | Varies (typically 30–90 days) |
When you click an outbound affiliate link, the destination vendor may set its own cookies, governed by its privacy policy — not ours.
How to withdraw or change your consent
You can change your preferences at any time — there are no penalties for rejecting optional cookies.
- "Manage cookies" link in the footer — opens the same granular panel used at first visit, so you can toggle Analytics and Advertising on or off at any time.
- Browser settings — every major browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Brave) lets you block or delete cookies for any site.
- Vendor opt-outs — Google Analytics offers a browser opt-out add-on. Microsoft provides ad-preferences controls.
Blocking strictly necessary cookies may break core functionality (the banner would reappear at every page load, theme preference would not persist).
Related policies
For how we handle personal data more broadly, read the Privacy Policy. For how affiliate tracking works on the commercial side, read the Affiliate Disclosure.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page shows when the policy was last revised. Material changes are announced via the site and, where relevant, re-trigger the consent banner.
Contact
Questions about this Cookie Policy? Reach out: