Cookie Policy

Last updated: August 2026

This page explains what cookies and similar storage technologies ValueRank uses, and why. We aim to keep it short and honest.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files a website stores in your browser. They let the site remember things between requests and visits. Some technologies are not strictly cookies, such as localStorage and sessionStorage, but serve a similar purpose and are covered here too.

What we use

1. Essential session cookie
ValueRank creates a signed session cookie whenever a browser session is needed. This can happen before you sign in, because the sign-in and registration forms need security protection, and it continues after sign-in to keep you authenticated. The cookie is required for the site to work. It is marked HttpOnly, SameSite=Lax, and, in production, Secure.

2. CSRF token
A short-lived security token is stored inside your session and included with forms and protected API calls. It prevents cross-site request forgery. It is required for security and cannot be disabled without breaking those features.

3. Browser storage (localStorage / sessionStorage)
We use browser storage to remember interface preferences—for example, selected category filters, the active feed view, and walkthrough state. Feed articles and their read, saved, and removed state use the ValueRank database as their source of truth so they remain consistent across devices. Some interface preferences may also be synchronised with your ValueRank account when you are signed in. Clearing browser storage resets the locally saved values.

4. Cookie-free first-party traffic analytics
ValueRank records limited page-view information on its own server to understand traffic, diagnose problems, and protect the service from automated abuse. This analytics system does not set an analytics cookie. For more detail about the information recorded, see the Privacy Policy.

5. hCaptcha (registration only)
Our sign-up page uses hCaptcha to block automated abuse. hCaptcha may set its own cookies or use similar storage when its service loads or a challenge is presented. See hcaptcha.com/privacy.

6. YouTube embedded player
When you choose to play a trailer, gameplay video, or music video, YouTube's embedded player loads and may use cookies or similar storage under Google's policies.

What we don't use

• No advertising or marketing cookies.
• No Google Analytics or third-party behavioural analytics.
• No cross-site tracking pixels.

Managing cookies and browser storage

You can clear cookies and site storage at any time through your browser settings. Clearing the session cookie will sign you out. Clearing browser storage will reset locally saved preferences and caches.

ValueRank currently uses no optional first-party cookies that require an accept/reject preference. If we introduce optional analytics, advertising, or other non-essential cookies, we will request a choice before setting them and update this policy.