Cookies Policy.
Exactly which cookies our website uses, why, and how to control them. The short version: analytics only, and only if you say yes.
The short version.
We keep cookies to a minimum. Google Analytics sets analytics cookies only after you accept optional analytics. Ahrefs Web Analytics is cookieless by default, but we still keep it behind the same consent choice. If you decline, neither analytics service loads, and the site works exactly the same.
What cookies are.
Cookies are small text files a website stores on your device. They're used for things like remembering preferences or, in our case, understanding how the site is used so we can improve it. “Similar technologies” means things like local storage, which we use to remember your cookie choice.
The cookies we use.
Here's the full list. We don't use any advertising or cross-site tracking cookies.
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Tells returning visits apart so we can count unique visitors | 2 years |
| _ga_<id> | Google Analytics | Keeps Analytics session state | 2 years |
| initiate-consent | This website | Remembers your cookie choice so we don't ask again (stored in your browser, never sent anywhere) | Until cleared |
The two Google Analytics cookies only appear once you've accepted. Ahrefs Web Analytics does not add another cookie. initiate-consent isn't a tracking cookie — it's a small note kept in your own browser so we can respect your choice.
Managing your cookies.
You're in control:
- Use the Cookie settings link (in the footer of every page) to change or withdraw your consent at any time.
- Decline on the banner, and neither analytics service loads.
- Clear or block cookies in your browser settings — every major browser lets you do this.
Withdrawing consent won't affect anything you can do on the site — it just stops us counting the visit.
Analytics, explained.
We use Google Analytics 4 to see aggregate patterns such as which pages are read, roughly where visitors come from, and whether the site works on their device. We've turned on IP anonymisation, do not run advertising features, and do not try to identify visitors personally. You can read how Google handles this data in Google's privacy policy.
We also use Ahrefs Web Analytics for aggregate page views, traffic sources, locations, browser information and common interactions. Ahrefs says this service uses no cookies or persistent identifiers by default, discards raw IP addresses, and does not track people across sites or days. You can read more in Ahrefs' Web Analytics documentation.
More detail.
For the full picture of what we collect and your rights over it, see our Privacy Policy. If anything here is unclear, just ask — hello@initiate.ie.