1. What a cookie is
A cookie is a small text file a website stores in your browser. It can remember things across page loads — preferences, session state, analytics identifiers. Related technologies include localStorage (persistent browser storage) and sessionStorage(cleared on tab close). Where this page mentions “cookies” generically, we include all of these browser-storage mechanisms.
2. Cookies Stacked sets (first-party)
Essential / preference
- stacked-cookie-consent — localStorage. Remembers that you've acknowledged the cookie banner so we don't show it again on every page load. Value:
accepted. Not shared with any third party. - Tool form state — React state, not persisted. The Reconstitution Calculator, STACK Calculator, and Stack Builder hold your inputs in memory while you use them. Nothing is persisted to storage or sent to a server unless you submit a form.
We don't set first-party cookies for analytics, advertising, behavioral profiling, or cross-site tracking.
3. Third-party cookies we enable
Google Analytics 4
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand aggregate traffic patterns — which pages are useful, where users are coming from, what devices they're on. Google Analytics sets its own cookies (_ga, _ga_*, etc.) that typically persist for up to 2 years.
To disable Google Analytics specifically, install the Google Analytics Opt-Out browser extension. See Google's privacy policy for Google's own data-handling practices.
Vendor sites (when you click through)
When you click a “Shop” button on Stacked, you land on the vendor's website. Their site — not ours — then sets whatever cookies their platform uses (checkout session, cart, affiliate attribution, their own analytics). Those cookies live at the vendor's domain and are governed by the vendor's privacy and cookie policies, which we link to on every vendor profile.
Amazon Associates
When you click an Amazon affiliate link from our Gear + Companions page, Amazon sets affiliate-attribution cookies at amazon.com to credit Stacked with any subsequent purchase. See Amazon's Privacy Notice.
4. What we don't do
- We don't run retargeting pixels (Meta, TikTok, Google Ads, etc.)
- We don't use session recording or heatmap tools
- We don't use fingerprinting libraries to track users across sessions without cookies
- We don't sell or share cookie-derived data with third parties for advertising
5. How to disable cookies
Most browsers let you:
- Block all cookies (most sites break)
- Block third-party cookies only (Stacked mostly still works)
- Block specific domains (e.g. block google-analytics.com to turn off our analytics)
- Clear cookies on exit
Browser-specific instructions: Chrome · Firefox · Safari · Edge.
6. Do Not Track
Most browsers offer a “Do Not Track” setting. Unfortunately, there's still no industry standard for how sites should respond to it, so we currently don't treat DNT signals as a categorical opt-out. If that matters to you, blocking third-party cookies and installing the Google Analytics Opt-Out extension achieves the practical equivalent.
7. Changes to this policy
We'll update this page when we add or remove cookie-setting services. The “Effective” date at the top reflects the latest version.
8. Contact
Questions about our cookie practices? Email jon@stacked-hq.com.