Cookie Policy

Last updated: August 27, 2025

1. Introduction

WE LOVE COMPARE LTD, a company registered in England and Wales (Company Number: 16673318) with its registered office at 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, England, EC2A 4NE (referred to as "We", "Us", or "Our") has created this Cookie Policy to explain how we use cookies and similar technologies on our website.

This Cookie Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By using our website and comparison services, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with this policy.

We reserve the right to modify this Cookie Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page and may be communicated through email notifications or on-screen prompts when you next visit our site. Your continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of any updated terms.

2. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that websites store on your computer, tablet, or mobile device through your web browser when you visit them. They are widely used to make websites function efficiently, enhance user experience, and provide analytical information to website operators.

Cookies perform various functions including remembering your login status, storing your preferences, tracking your browsing behavior, and enabling personalized content delivery. Some cookies expire when you close your browser (session cookies), while others remain on your device for a specified period (persistent cookies).

3. First Party vs Third Party Cookies

First Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set directly by our website (the domain shown in your browser's address bar). These cookies enable core website functionality and help us understand how you interact with our comparison platform.

Third Party Cookies

Third-party cookies are set by external services integrated into our website, such as analytics providers, advertising networks, and social media platforms. These services may use information collected through their cookies to track your browsing behavior across multiple websites and build user profiles for targeted advertising.

The following third-party services may set cookies on our website:

Third Party Cookie Use Opt-out Information
Google Analytics Website analytics and performance tracking Opt-out here
Google Ads Personalized advertising and conversion tracking Opt-out here
Facebook Social media integration and targeted advertising Opt-out here
Microsoft Bing Search advertising and user behavior tracking Opt-out here
Affiliate Networks Commission tracking and conversion attribution Contact us for specific opt-out procedures

4. Cookie Categories

Based on the International Chamber of Commerce guidelines, we categorize cookies into four main types:

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for our website to function properly. They enable core features such as security, authentication, and basic navigation. Without these cookies, fundamental services like user accounts and secure areas cannot be provided. These cookies cannot be disabled through our cookie consent system.

Performance Cookies

Performance cookies collect anonymous information about how visitors use our website, including which pages are most popular, error messages, and user journey patterns. This data helps us optimize website performance and improve user experience. These cookies do not collect personally identifiable information.

Functionality Cookies

Functionality cookies remember your preferences and choices to provide a more personalized experience. They store information such as your preferred language, region, search filters, and comparison settings. These cookies enhance website usability but are not essential for basic operation.

Targeting Cookies

Targeting cookies track your browsing behavior to build a profile of your interests for personalized advertising. They remember your visits and share information with advertising partners to deliver relevant advertisements across different websites. These cookies can be disabled through your cookie preferences.

5. Specific Cookies We Use

Below is a comprehensive list of cookies used on our website:

Cookie Name Category Party Purpose Expiration
__wlcauth Strictly Necessary First Party User authentication and session management 1 year
__cookieConsent Strictly Necessary First Party Records your cookie consent preferences 1 year
__wlcabtest Strictly Necessary First Party A/B testing and feature rollout management 3 weeks
userLanguage Functionality First Party Stores your preferred language setting 1 year
comparePrefs Functionality First Party Remembers your comparison and search preferences 6 months
_ga Performance Third Party Google Analytics unique visitor identification 2 years
_gid Performance Third Party Google Analytics session identification 24 hours
_gat_gtag_UA_* Performance Third Party Google Analytics request rate throttling 1 minute
_fbp Targeting Third Party Facebook Pixel browser identification 3 months
affiliateTrack Targeting First Party Affiliate commission tracking and attribution 30 days

6. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies on our comparison platform for the following purposes:

Essential Website Function

  • Enabling user account creation and management
  • Maintaining secure user sessions and authentication
  • Providing personalized comparison experiences
  • Preventing fraud and enhancing website security
  • Ensuring proper website functionality across different devices

Analytics and Performance

  • Analyzing website usage patterns and user behavior through Google Analytics
  • Measuring website performance and identifying technical issues
  • Understanding which comparison features are most popular
  • Optimizing search functionality and user experience
  • Conducting A/B tests to improve website features

Personalization

  • Remembering your search preferences and comparison settings
  • Storing your preferred language and regional settings
  • Maintaining your wish lists and saved comparisons
  • Providing relevant product recommendations
  • Customizing content based on your interests

Affiliate Marketing

  • Tracking clicks on merchant links for commission purposes
  • Measuring the effectiveness of our comparison services
  • Ensuring proper attribution of referral sales
  • Analyzing conversion rates and user engagement
  • Managing affiliate partner relationships

7. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

Cookie Consent Manager

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner with the following options:

  • Accept All: Allows all cookie categories including targeting cookies
  • Accept Essential Only: Only enables strictly necessary cookies
  • Customize Settings: Allows you to choose specific cookie categories

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer or by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting our site.

Browser Settings

You can control cookies directly through your web browser settings:

  • Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
  • Firefox: Preferences → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
  • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
  • Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies

Third-Party Opt-outs

You can opt out of personalized advertising cookies through these industry tools:

8. Impact of Disabling Cookies

While you have the right to disable cookies, doing so may affect your experience on our website:

Disabling Essential Cookies

  • You may not be able to create or access user accounts
  • Some website features may not function properly
  • Security features may be compromised
  • Your preferences will not be saved between visits

Disabling Performance Cookies

  • We cannot analyze website usage to improve your experience
  • Technical issues may take longer to identify and resolve
  • Website optimization efforts will be less effective

Disabling Functionality Cookies

  • Your comparison settings and preferences will not be remembered
  • You will need to re-enter your preferences on each visit
  • Personalized content recommendations may be less relevant
  • Language and regional settings will reset to defaults

Disabling Targeting Cookies

  • You will still see advertisements, but they may be less relevant
  • Affiliate tracking may be affected (but this supports our free service)
  • Cross-site personalization will be reduced

9. Cookie Security and Data Protection

We implement appropriate security measures for cookie data:

  • Sensitive cookies are encrypted and transmitted securely
  • We regularly review and update our cookie security practices
  • Third-party services are required to meet our security standards
  • Cookie data is processed in accordance with UK GDPR requirements
  • We do not store personally identifiable information in non-essential cookies

10. Additional Information

Useful Resources

For more information about cookies and online privacy:

Mobile App Considerations

If we develop mobile applications in the future, similar tracking technologies may be used. We will update this policy accordingly and seek appropriate permissions through app store consent mechanisms.

11. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We review and update this Cookie Policy regularly to ensure accuracy and compliance with evolving regulations. Updates may be necessary when we:

  • Implement new website features or technologies
  • Partner with new third-party services
  • Respond to changes in privacy legislation
  • Improve our cookie management practices

Material changes will be communicated through website notifications, email alerts to registered users, or updated consent prompts. The "Last updated" date at the top of this policy indicates the most recent revision.

12. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:

WE LOVE COMPARE LTD
3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street
London, England, EC2A 4NE
United Kingdom

You can reach us through our website contact form or designated support channels. For cookie-related inquiries, please include:

  • Your browser type and version
  • The specific cookie or functionality in question
  • Details of any issues you're experiencing
  • Your preferred cookie settings

We will respond to cookie-related inquiries within 48 hours and work to resolve any technical issues promptly.