1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.
Key Characteristics of Cookies
- Size: Typically very small (a few kilobytes)
- Purpose: Store user preferences, enable functionality, track usage patterns
- Duration: Can be temporary (session cookies) or permanent (persistent cookies)
- Privacy: Cannot access other files on your device or carry viruses
Session vs. Persistent Cookies
Session Cookies
Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. They help our website remember your actions during a single browsing session.
Persistent Cookies
Cookies that remain on your device for a set period (from days to years). They remember your preferences for future visits.
2. Why We Use Cookies
At MaoDu Digital, we use cookies for several important reasons:
Essential Functionality
Enable core features like navigation, cookie consent preferences, and secure access to protected areas.
Analytics & Performance
Understand how visitors use our site, which content is most popular, and identify areas for improvement.
Personalization
Remember your preferences, language settings, and provide a customized browsing experience.
Security
Protect against fraudulent activity, prevent automated bots, and ensure secure site operation.
3. Types of Cookies We Use
We categorize cookies based on their purpose and obtain your consent where required by law.
| Category | Purpose | Duration | Consent Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strictly Necessary | Essential for website operation, security, and basic functionality | Session or 1 year | No |
| Analytics & Performance | Collect information about site usage, visitor behavior, and performance metrics | Up to 26 months | Yes |
| Functionality | Remember your preferences, settings, and previous interactions | Up to 1 year | Yes |
| Marketing & Advertising | Deliver relevant content, track ad campaign effectiveness | Up to 2 years | Yes |
Detailed Cookie Breakdown
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for our website to function properly. Without them, certain services cannot be provided.
- Cookie Consent: Remembers your cookie preferences (cookie_consent)
- Session Management: Maintains your session state across page visits (session_id)
- Security: CSRF protection tokens and secure authentication (csrf_token, auth_token)
Analytics & Performance Cookies
Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.
- Google Analytics: Tracks page views, user journeys, and site performance (_ga, _gid, _gat)
- Usage Statistics: Monitors popular content and user engagement patterns
- Error Tracking: Identifies technical issues to improve site stability
We have enabled IP anonymization in Google Analytics to enhance privacy protection.
Functionality Cookies
Enable enhanced features and personalization based on your preferences.
- User Preferences: Theme selection, font size, layout preferences
- Language Settings: Remembers your preferred language
- Comment Form: Pre-fills your name and email for convenience
Marketing & Advertising Cookies
Used to deliver more relevant content and track the effectiveness of our promotional campaigns.
- Content Recommendations: Suggest articles based on your interests
- Affiliate Tracking: Track referrals from affiliate links (with your consent)
- Newsletter Signup: Remember if you've dismissed newsletter prompts
4. Third-Party Cookies
In addition to our own cookies, we may use third-party cookies from trusted partners to enhance your experience and improve our services.
Third-Party Services We Use
Google Analytics
Purpose: Website analytics and performance monitoring
Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy
Social Media Platforms
Purpose: Social sharing buttons and embedded content
Platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn (when you interact with embedded content)
Note: These platforms may set cookies even if you don't interact with their content
Content Delivery Networks (CDN)
Purpose: Faster content delivery and improved performance
Provider: Cloudflare CDN (for Font Awesome icons and other static assets)
Impact: Essential for optimal site performance
5. How to Manage Your Cookie Preferences
You have several options to control and manage cookies on your device:
Option 1: Our Cookie Consent Tool
When you first visit MaoDu Digital, you'll see a cookie consent banner. You can customize your preferences by clicking "Customize" and selecting which cookie categories you want to allow.
- Accept all cookies for the full website experience
- Reject non-essential cookies (only strictly necessary cookies will be used)
- Customize your preferences by category
Need to change your preferences? You can update your cookie settings at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our footer.
Option 2: Browser Settings
All modern browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:
- Block all cookies
- Block third-party cookies only
- Delete cookies when you close your browser
- Delete all existing cookies
- Allow cookies from specific websites only
6. Browser-Specific Cookie Management
Follow these instructions to manage cookies in popular web browsers:
Google Chrome
- Click the three-dot menu icon (⋮) in the top-right corner
- Select Settings
- Click Privacy and security in the left sidebar
- Click Cookies and other site data
- Choose your preferred cookie settings
Learn more: Chrome Cookie Settings
Mozilla Firefox
- Click the menu button (☰) and select Settings
- Select Privacy & Security panel
- Under Cookies and Site Data, configure your preferences
- Choose between Standard, Strict, or Custom protection
Learn more: Firefox Cookie Settings
Apple Safari
- Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar
- Select Preferences
- Click the Privacy tab
- Manage cookie and website data settings
Learn more: Safari Cookie Settings
Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot menu icon (⋯) in the top-right corner
- Select Settings
- Click Cookies and site permissions
- Click Manage and delete cookies and site data
- Configure your cookie preferences
Learn more: Edge Cookie Settings
Mobile Browsers
For mobile browsers (iOS Safari, Android Chrome, etc.), cookie management is typically found in the browser's settings menu under Privacy or Security options. Consult your device's help documentation for specific instructions.
7. Questions About Our Cookie Policy?
If you have questions or concerns about our use of cookies, or if you need assistance managing your cookie preferences, please don't hesitate to contact us:
Contact Information
Email:
privacy@maodudigital.com
Phone:
+1 (512) 847-3290
Mailing Address:
MaoDu Digital LLC - Privacy Department
2847 Innovation Drive, Suite 320
Austin, TX 78758
United States
Related Policies:
For more information about how we handle your personal data,
please read our
Privacy Policy and
Terms & Conditions.