Cookie policy
Cookie Policy
Connecting Earthlings Last updated: May 11, 2025
1. Introduction
Connecting Earthlings ("we," "us," or "our") operates the Connecting Earthlings platform — an online business directory and community listing service that helps people discover local businesses, services, and places. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, which ones we use, why we use them, and how you can control them.
By continuing to use our website and platform, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy. If you do not agree, you may adjust your browser settings or use our Cookie Preference Centre to opt out of non-essential cookies.
This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we handle your personal data more broadly.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognise your device on return visits and remember certain information about you — such as your preferences, login status, or how you interact with the site.
Cookies are not harmful programs. They cannot access other files on your device or carry viruses. However, they can store personal information (such as an identifier tied to your account), which is why we are transparent about their use.
Other similar technologies we may use alongside cookies include:
- Web beacons — tiny invisible images embedded in pages or emails that help us understand engagement
- Local storage and session storage — browser-based storage used for performance and preference data
- Pixels — small code snippets that track actions on our platform, often used for analytics or advertising
For simplicity, this policy refers to all of these collectively as "cookies."
3. Types of Cookies We Use
We use four categories of cookies on the Connecting Earthlings platform:
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the platform to function and cannot be switched off. They are set in response to actions you take — such as logging in, submitting a listing, or filling in a form. Without them, the services you have requested cannot be provided.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
session_id |
Maintains your login session across pages | Session |
csrf_token |
Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks | Session |
user_prefs |
Stores basic preferences (e.g. language, currency) | 30 days |
cookie_consent |
Records your cookie consent choices | 12 months |
Legal basis: These cookies are used on the basis of our legitimate interest in providing a secure and functional platform. No consent is required for strictly necessary cookies.
3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our platform — which pages are most visited, where users come from, and where they encounter problems. The data collected is aggregated and anonymous wherever possible.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga |
Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
_gid |
Google Analytics | Distinguishes users across 24-hour sessions | 24 hours |
_gat |
Google Analytics | Throttles request rate | 1 minute |
listing_ga_id |
Your listing's GA ID | Analytics for individual business listings (if the listing owner has enabled Google Analytics via their listing settings) | Varies |
We use this data to improve the platform experience, fix errors, and understand which features are most valuable to our community.
Legal basis: Your consent. You may opt out via our Cookie Preference Centre or by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
3.3 Functional Cookies
These cookies allow us to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, more personalised features. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
map_provider |
Remembers your preferred map view (OpenStreetMap or Mapbox) | 90 days |
search_filters |
Saves your last-used search filters (category, location, listing type) | 7 days |
viewed_listings |
Tracks listings you have recently viewed to show "Recently Visited" | 30 days |
language |
Remembers your selected language | 12 months |
Legal basis: Your consent.
3.4 Targeting and Advertising Cookies
If we or the business owners listing on our platform use advertising features, targeting cookies may be placed to show you relevant advertising and measure campaign effectiveness. These cookies track your browsing activity across websites.
At this time, Connecting Earthlings does not serve third-party advertising on its core platform. However, individual business listings may embed third-party content (such as social media widgets or video embeds from YouTube or Vimeo) that set their own cookies. We do not control those third-party cookies.
If we introduce advertising in the future, this policy will be updated and you will be asked for fresh consent.
4. Third-Party Cookies
Some features on our platform are powered by third-party services. These providers may set their own cookies when their services are embedded on our pages. We do not have control over these cookies — please refer to each provider's own cookie or privacy policy for details.
| Third Party | What They Provide | Their Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | Website analytics | policies.google.com |
| OpenStreetMap | Interactive maps | openstreetmap.org/privacy |
| Mapbox | Interactive maps (alternative) | mapbox.com/privacy |
| YouTube | Embedded listing videos | youtube.com/howyoutubeworks/privacy |
| Vimeo | Embedded listing videos | vimeo.com/privacy |
| Facebook (Meta) | Social sharing widgets | facebook.com/privacy |
When you interact with embedded maps, videos, or social widgets, those providers may collect your IP address and other data in accordance with their own policies, regardless of whether you are logged in to their services.
5. Cookies Set by Business Listings
Connecting Earthlings allows business owners to add their own Google Analytics tracking ID to their individual listings. If a business owner has done this, Google Analytics cookies may be set on that listing's page to provide the business with insights about their own listing's performance.
We do not share your data with business owners — the analytics are aggregate and anonymised. However, if you wish to opt out of this tracking entirely, you may do so via the Google Analytics opt-out tool or your browser settings.
6. How Long Do Cookies Last?
Cookies are either session cookies or persistent cookies:
- Session cookies are temporary and expire when you close your browser. They are used to maintain your session as you move between pages.
- Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period (e.g. 30 days, 12 months) or until you delete them manually.
The specific durations for each cookie we use are listed in the tables in Section 3 above.
7. How to Control Cookies
You have several options for managing cookies:
7.1 Cookie Preference Centre
When you first visit Connecting Earthlings, you will be shown a cookie consent banner. You can select which categories of cookies you accept. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer of any page.
7.2 Browser Settings
Most browsers allow you to view, manage, and delete cookies through their settings. Here are links to instructions for common browsers:
Please note that disabling or deleting certain cookies may affect the functionality of our platform. For example, blocking strictly necessary cookies may prevent you from logging in or submitting a listing.
7.3 Opt-Out Tools
- Google Analytics: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- General advertising opt-outs: youronlinechoices.eu (EU) or optout.aboutads.info (US)
8. Do Not Track
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) setting that sends a signal to websites requesting that your browsing not be tracked. There is currently no universally agreed standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. At this time, our platform does not alter its behaviour in response to a DNT signal. We will review this position as industry standards develop.
9. Your Rights
Depending on where you are located, you may have certain rights in relation to personal data collected through cookies, including:
- The right to access information about the data collected
- The right to request deletion of your data
- The right to withdraw consent at any time (without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal)
- The right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in Section 11 below.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in applicable law, or changes in our business. When we make significant changes, we will notify you by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, by displaying a notice on our platform.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us:
Connecting Earthlings Email: privacy@connectingearthlings.com Website: www.connectingearthlings.com
This Cookie Policy was last reviewed and updated on 11 May 2025.