Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how StayScout ("we," "our," or "us") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website and use our services. This policy explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control our use of them.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners. Cookies allow a website to recognize a user's device and remember information about their visit.

We also use similar technologies such as web beacons, pixels, and local storage that serve similar purposes to cookies.

3. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for several purposes:

3.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled. They include:

• Authentication cookies: Used to keep you logged in to your StayScout account
• Security cookies: Help protect against fraud and maintain the security of our services
• Session cookies: Remember your preferences and settings during your visit
• Load balancing cookies: Ensure our website loads quickly and efficiently

3.2 Analytics Cookies

We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors interact with our website. These help us improve our services:

• Google Analytics: Tracks website usage, page views, and user behavior to help us improve our platform
• PostHog: Provides detailed analytics and user session recordings to help us understand how users interact with our features
• Vercel Analytics: Monitors website performance and user experience metrics

3.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization:

• Preference cookies: Remember your search filters, alert settings, and display preferences
• Language cookies: Remember your language preference
• Theme cookies: Remember your display theme preferences

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services that appear on our pages:

• Google: For analytics, authentication, and advertising services
• Stripe: For secure payment processing
• PostHog: For product analytics and user behavior tracking
• Vercel: For website performance monitoring

5. Cookie Duration

Cookies may be either "session" cookies or "persistent" cookies:

• Session cookies: These are temporary and are deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies: These remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them

Most of our cookies are session cookies that expire when you close your browser. Authentication cookies typically last for 30 days, and analytics cookies may persist for up to 2 years.

6. Your Cookie Choices

You have several options for managing cookies:

6.1 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• Block all cookies
• Block third-party cookies
• Delete existing cookies
• Set your browser to notify you when cookies are being set

6.2 Analytics Opt-Out

For analytics services, you can use browser-level opt-out tools:

• Google Analytics: Use the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• General tracking: Most modern browsers allow you to block third-party cookies and tracking scripts

7. Impact of Disabling Cookies

The impact of disabling cookies depends on which types you disable:

• You may not be able to stay logged in to your account
• Your preferences and settings may not be saved
• Some personalized features may not work correctly
• We may not be able to provide you with the best possible user experience

We recommend keeping essential cookies enabled to use StayScout effectively, while analytics cookies are optional and can be disabled without affecting core functionality.

8. Mobile Devices

If you access our website from a mobile device, cookies work in the same way as on desktop computers. You can manage cookies through your mobile browser settings, though the exact steps may vary depending on your device and browser.

9. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us at our contact page.