Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to ensure you have the best experience and to help us understand how people use our site. This Cookie Preferences page explains the types of cookies we use, what they do, and how you can manage your preferences. By adjusting your preferences here or through your browser settings, you can control whether certain types of cookies are enabled or disabled during your visit.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They serve a variety of purposes, such as keeping you logged in, remembering your site preferences, and collecting anonymous analytics data. Cookies can be "first-party" (set by our website) or "third-party" (set by other services whose functionality is embedded in our site). We also use technologies similar to cookies, like web beacons (pixel tags) and local storage; for simplicity, we refer to all of these as cookies in this policy.
Cookies typically fall into different categories based on their purpose and duration:
- Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that last only while your browser is open and are deleted once you close it. These help with site navigation and remembering selections you make during your visit.
- Persistent Cookies: These remain on your device for a set period of time after your session (unless you delete them). Persistent cookies remember your preferences or actions across multiple sites or browsing sessions (for example, staying logged in, or remembering the language you chose).
- Strictly Necessary Cookies: Essential cookies required for the website to function properly. Without these, certain services or features (like page navigation, login functionality, or shopping cart if applicable) would not work.
- Non-Essential Cookies: Cookies that enhance experience or collect information but are not strictly required. These include:
- Performance/Analytics Cookies – used to collect aggregate data on how users interact with our site, so we can improve it.
- Functional Cookies – used to remember choices you make (like your language or region, or other customizations) to provide a more personalized experience.
- Targeting/Advertising Cookies – used to track browsing habits and sometimes to deliver personalized ads. (Note: as of now, we do not use advertising cookies on our site, as we do not serve third-party ads. If that changes, we will update our policies and obtain consent as required.)
Categories of Cookies We Use
Below is a breakdown of the cookie categories in use on our site. You have the option to opt-in or opt-out of non-essential cookies. Essential cookies cannot be turned off, as they are necessary for the site to operate.
1. Strictly Necessary Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are essential for you to browse our website and use its core features. Without these cookies, services you have asked for (such as navigating between pages, logging in to subscriber areas, or accessing secure areas of the site) cannot be provided. They don't collect information that could be used for marketing or remembering where you've been on the internet.
Why we use them:
- To remember information you have entered on forms as you navigate to different pages in a single session (for example, if you start signing up for a newsletter and move to another page, the site can temporarily remember the information you've already entered).
- To maintain your login status if our site has a login feature (so you don't have to log in repeatedly as you move through pages).
- To ensure our website's basic functions work properly and securely. For example, load balancing cookies (which distribute web traffic across servers) fall under this category, as they are needed for the website's technical performance.
Managing: Because these cookies are essential, they are always enabled. You cannot opt out of strictly necessary cookies via the preferences center, as doing so would affect core functionality of the site. If you still wish to block these, you would have to do so in your browser settings (see Managing Cookies via Browser below), but please be aware that parts of the site may then not work.
2. Functional Cookies (Optional)
Functional cookies allow the site to remember the choices you make and provide enhanced, more personal features. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we've added to our pages (for example, a chat support widget or a video player). Functional cookies are not strictly necessary, but they improve your experience.
Examples of functional cookie uses:
- Remembering your language preference or region, so we can show you content in your preferred language without asking each time.
- Remembering if you've been to the site before, so we can present you with relevant onboarding messages or skip certain intros.
- Keeping track of your preferences such as font size, contrast, or other customizations you make to the website's appearance.
- If we integrate with any third-party service for enhanced functionality (like allowing login via a social network, or embedding a subscription form), functional cookies may support those features.
Managing: These cookies are optional. By default, we may treat them as disabled unless you explicitly allow them (depending on legal requirements in your jurisdiction, e.g., GDPR). You can enable or disable functional cookies using the preference toggle on our site's cookie banner or this Cookie Preferences page. If you choose to disable them, certain site features or personalization may not function as intended. For instance, you might have to reselect language or login each visit.
3. Performance & Analytics Cookies (Optional)
Performance cookies (also known as analytics cookies) collect aggregated, anonymous data about how visitors use our website. These cookies don't identify you personally. They help us understand things like which pages are visited most often, how users move around the site, and if they encounter errors on pages. We use this information to improve the site's performance and content.
Why we use them:
- To compile statistics on website usage. For example, we may use Google Analytics or a privacy-focused analytics tool to see overall visitor numbers, popular pages, or referring websites. This helps us understand what content is resonating and where improvements are needed.
- To gauge the effectiveness of site features or campaigns. For example, if we announce a new feature and link to it, performance cookies help measure how many people clicked and used that feature.
- To identify and debug issues. Analytics data can sometimes show if users are dropping off at a certain point or if a particular page is causing browsers to crash, indicating something to fix.
The data collected by these cookies is generally processed in aggregate form. We might also configure our analytics to anonymize IP addresses so that even that piece of data isn't directly stored. We do not use analytics cookies to track individual user behavior across other sites, nor to personally identify anyone.
Who sets these: Often these cookies are set by third-party analytics providers (like Google Analytics). They may set their own cookies to distinguish users (e.g., _ga cookie by Google). We have agreements with such providers that restrict them from using the data for their own purposes. The information is used strictly for our analytics and improvement.
Managing: These cookies are optional and are only set if you enable them. You can toggle your consent via our cookie banner or this preferences center. If you opt out of analytics cookies, your visits will not be tracked in our analytics tools. Alternatively, you can use browser-based opt-outs (such as installing the Google Analytics opt-out extension) if you prefer a global solution. Disabling these cookies should not significantly affect your use of core site features, but it will make it harder for us to improve our services based on user behavior.
4. Targeting/Advertising Cookies (Currently Not Used)
At present, we do not deploy advertising cookies or trackers on our website. These would be cookies that record your visit to our site, the pages you have visited, and the links you have followed, and possibly use that info to build a profile of your interests to show you relevant ads on other sites. As a content-focused site, we do not run third-party ad networks or personalized ads, so we have no targeting cookies of our own.
In the event that we ever partner with advertising or use retargeting services, we would update this section to list those cookies and obtain your consent before enabling them. For full transparency, here's how we would handle it if it were applicable:
- Such cookies would only be set with your explicit opt-in consent.
- We would provide details on each advertising partner and what data they collect.
- You would have the ability to disable these at any time via this preferences page (as well as via industry opt-out sites).
- We would honor Do Not Track signals or Global Privacy Control as required by law in certain jurisdictions for advertising purposes.
Since we don't use these currently, this category remains inactive.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
We believe in giving you control over your data. Here are the ways you can manage cookies:
On Our Site (Preference Center):
When you first visited our site, you should have seen a cookie consent banner that gave you options to accept or customize your cookie settings. You can revisit those settings anytime (for example, by clicking a "Cookie Settings" link in our footer or on this page if available). From here:
- You can toggle Functional Cookies on or off.
- You can toggle Analytics Cookies on or off.
- Strictly Necessary cookies will remain on (the toggle will be grayed out or not present for them, as they cannot be disabled and still have the site work).
- If in future we have other categories (like Advertising), you'd see toggles for those too.
Make sure to save/confirm your choices. Changes will take effect immediately for future page loads. You might need to refresh the page for certain preference changes to apply.
Via Your Web Browser:
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings preferences. You can usually:
- View what cookies are stored on your browser and delete them on a one-by-one basis or all at once.
- Block third-party cookies (cookies set by domains other than the one you're visiting).
- Block all cookies from certain sites or all sites.
- Receive notifications when a site is setting cookies, so you can decide to accept or not.
- Use "private" or "incognito" browsing modes which usually don't retain cookies after you close the session.
Please note that if you adjust your browser to block all cookies, including strictly necessary ones, our website might not function properly for you. For example, you might not be able to log in or add items to a cart. Be selective in what you block based on your comfort.
Each browser is a bit different. Here are quick reference instructions for common ones:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data. Here you can clear cookies and set blocking preferences. Chrome also supports sending a "Do Not Track" signal, although not all websites honor it.
- Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data. You can manage data or use Enhanced Tracking Protection settings to control trackers and cookies. Firefox also has strict mode which blocks many cookies, and allows custom settings.
- Safari (Desktop): Preferences > Privacy. You can choose to block all cookies or manage website data. Safari also has an Intelligent Tracking Prevention system by default.
- Safari (iOS): Settings app > Safari > Privacy & Security. Options to Block All Cookies or prevent cross-site tracking.
- Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions. Here you can see and clear cookies and decide cookie handling (e.g., block third-party cookies).
- Internet Explorer: Internet Options > Privacy, where you can use a slider to set cookie handling or advanced settings.
Do Not Track Signals:
"Do Not Track" is a preference you can set in some browsers to tell websites you do not want to be tracked. Our site responds to Do Not Track signals by treating them as an opt-out of analytics/advertising cookies (i.e., we will not load optional tracking scripts if we detect DNT enabled). However, not all cookies are affected by DNT (strictly necessary ones would still function). Additionally, the standards for DNT are not uniform, but we endeavor to honor it in spirit by minimizing tracking when observed.
Global Privacy Control (GPC):
If you are in a jurisdiction like California, you might use a browser or extension that sends a GPC signal. We interpret a GPC signal as a request to opt out of any sale/sharing of personal information and as a broad opt-out of non-essential cookies. Given we currently do not sell/share data or use advertising cookies, GPC has minimal practical effect on our site beyond what DNT covers. If we detect GPC, we will ensure analytics cookies are not set by default.
More Information and Contact
For detailed information about how we handle personal data (beyond cookies), please see our Privacy Policy. It covers our data practices, your rights, and how to contact us with questions.
If you have any questions or concerns specifically about our use of cookies or your choices:
- Email us: at mail@axeladlerjr.com with the subject "Cookie Inquiry".
- Contact Form: If available on our site, you can submit a request regarding cookies/preferences.
By using our site with cookies enabled in your browser, you consent to our use of cookies as described unless you have opted out via the means described above. We will remind users of our cookie use via the banner until preferences are set. We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time (for example, if we adopt new cookie types or providers, or to comply with changing laws). Significant changes will be communicated via the site.
Thank you for visiting our site and taking the time to manage your cookie preferences. We respect your privacy and are committed to transparency about our data practices.