Cookie Policy
Last updated: August 3, 2026
📋 Short Version
We use cookies for two things: understanding how the site is used (Google Analytics) and showing ads (Google AdSense). None of our tools need cookies to work — you can refuse every optional cookie and every tool on this site will still function normally.
This policy explains what cookies are, exactly which ones ToolLabHQ sets, why we set them, how long they last, and how you can remove or block them at any time. It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.
1. What Is a Cookie?
A cookie is a small text file that a website asks your browser to store on your device. On your next visit, the browser sends that file back, which lets the site recognise your browser. Cookies cannot run programs, cannot read other files on your computer, and cannot carry viruses. Some cookies are set by us ("first-party") and some are set by services we embed, such as Google ("third-party").
2. Categories of Cookies We Use
- Strictly necessary — remembers your cookie choice. Cannot be switched off, because without it we would have to show you the banner on every single page.
- Analytics — Google Analytics 4. Tells us which tools are used and which pages are broken. Aggregated, never sold.
- Advertising — Google AdSense. Funds the free tools on this site. These are the cookies that may be used for personalised ads.
We do not use cookies to track you across unrelated websites ourselves, and we never sell cookie data to data brokers.
3. Every Cookie We Set
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | [Analytics] Distinguishes one visitor from another so we can count unique visitors. | 2 years |
| _ga_F9FW7JCX1E | Google Analytics 4 | [Analytics] Keeps session state for our GA4 property so page views are grouped into visits. | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | [Analytics] Distinguishes visitors over a short window. | 24 hours |
| __gads / __gpi | Google AdSense | [Advertising] Measures ad interactions, limits how many times you see the same ad, and helps detect invalid or fraudulent traffic. | Up to 13 months |
| IDE / test_cookie | Google DoubleClick | [Advertising] Set on the doubleclick.net domain to measure ad performance and, where you consent, to show more relevant ads. | Up to 13 months |
| cookie_consent | ToolLabHQ | [Strictly necessary] Remembers the choice you made in our cookie banner so we do not ask you again on every page. This is stored in your browser’s localStorage, not as a cookie, and is never sent to our servers. | Until you clear site data |
4. Google AdSense & Third-Party Advertising
ToolLabHQ displays ads served by Google AdSense. As a third-party vendor, Google uses cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites.
- Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visit to our site and/or other sites on the internet.
- You may opt out of personalised advertising at Google Ads Settings.
- You can opt out of a broader list of vendors at aboutads.info/choices or youronlinechoices.eu.
- Details of how Google handles data are in How Google uses information from sites that use its services.
We do not serve ads on shared wish card pages (/w/…), because those pages display content uploaded by users rather than our own content.
5. Your Choices & Consent
When you first visit ToolLabHQ, a banner asks whether you accept optional cookies. If you decline, analytics and advertising cookies are not required for you to use any tool on this site — every tool remains fully functional.
If you are in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we rely on your consent as the legal basis for analytics and advertising cookies. You can withdraw that consent at any time by clearing this site's stored data in your browser, which will cause the banner to appear again on your next visit.
6. Managing Cookies in Your Browser
Every major browser lets you view, delete, and block cookies. Blocking all cookies will not break any ToolLabHQ tool.
- 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
7. Do Not Track
There is still no agreed industry standard for handling browser "Do Not Track" signals. We therefore do not currently respond to them. Use the cookie banner or the browser controls above instead — both work reliably.
8. Changes to This Policy
If we add a service that sets new cookies, we will update the table in section 3 and change the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Material changes will re-trigger the consent banner.
9. Contact
Questions about this policy, or a request to see what data we hold? Email contact@toollabhq.com or use the contact form. We reply within 2 business days.