The technologies actually used on the Site may change as features are added, removed or updated. Strictly necessary technologies support core operation. Optional analytics, advertising or embedded-media technologies should be activated only in accordance with applicable consent requirements.
1. What cookies and similar technologies are
A cookie is a small text file that a website stores in a browser or device. Cookies can remember information between page views or visits, such as a privacy preference, login state or technical identifier.
Similar technologies may include:
- Local storage and session storage saved through the browser.
- Pixels, tags or web beacons that register when content is loaded or selected.
- Software development tools and scripts used for performance, security or embedded content.
- Server-side identifiers or logs that recognize requests without storing a traditional browser cookie.
In this policy, “cookies” is used as a convenient term for cookies and comparable storage or access technologies.
2. Why Side Hustle Ledger may use cookies
Cookies may be used to:
- Deliver pages and maintain essential WordPress functionality.
- Protect forms, accounts, servers and readers from spam or malicious activity.
- Remember cookie-consent, language, accessibility or display preferences.
- Understand aggregate readership and improve article organization or performance.
- Measure errors, page speed and technical reliability.
- Load third-party media or interactive features when requested.
- Support advertising or referral measurement if those features are enabled.
3. Categories of cookies
Strictly necessary
Support security, network delivery, form integrity, consent records and functions required for the Site to work.
Functional and preference
Remember choices that improve convenience, such as display, language or previously selected privacy settings.
Analytics and performance
Help measure visits, navigation and technical performance in aggregate when an analytics tool is enabled.
Advertising and measurement
May measure advertisements, referrals or conversions if advertising or affiliate technologies are enabled.
4. How cookies may be used on this Site
The table below describes practical uses relevant to a WordPress-based finance and side-hustle publication. Exact cookie names, providers and durations may differ by software version, configuration and consent choice.
| Use | Examples on Side Hustle Ledger | Status | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core WordPress operation | Security tokens, administrator or authenticated-session cookies, page delivery and technical preferences. | Necessary | Session or limited persistent period. |
| WPForms contact form | Form submission integrity, duplicate-submission prevention, anti-spam or session information where required by enabled form features. | Necessary / feature dependent | Session or provider-defined period. |
| Security and abuse prevention | Rate limiting, suspicious-request detection, firewall decisions and anti-bot verification. | Necessary | Session to several months, depending on risk controls. |
| Cookie preference memory | Stores whether a visitor accepted, rejected or customized optional cookie categories. | Necessary | Often several months, subject to configuration. |
| Analytics and performance | Aggregate page views, traffic sources, device categories, engagement and error measurement if analytics is enabled. | Optional | Session to provider-defined persistent period. |
| Advertising or affiliate measurement | Impressions, referral attribution, frequency controls or conversion measurement if commercial technologies are enabled. | Optional | Provider-defined and subject to consent. |
| Embedded content | Video, chart, social-media or other third-party media loaded inside an article. | Optional / user initiated | Set by the external provider. |
This policy anticipates categories that may be used as the Site develops. It does not state that a particular analytics or advertising provider is currently enabled. The consent interface and policy should reflect the technologies actually active at the time of a visit.
5. First-party and third-party cookies
First-party cookies
First-party cookies are set by sidehustleledger.com or through services operating directly for the Site. They may support core WordPress operation, security, form functionality and preference storage.
Third-party cookies
Third-party cookies are controlled by another organization whose technology is used on or loaded through the Site. Examples may include an anti-spam provider, analytics service, embedded video platform, advertising provider or affiliate-measurement service when those tools are enabled.
Third parties process information according to their own terms and privacy practices. Review the information presented in the Site's consent interface and the relevant provider's notices before enabling optional categories.
6. Session and persistent cookies
- Session cookies generally expire when the browser session ends. They may support temporary navigation, form or security functions.
- Persistent cookies remain for a defined period or until deleted. They may remember privacy choices, preferences or measurement identifiers.
Retention periods depend on purpose, configuration and provider. A cookie's expiration does not necessarily mean all related server logs are retained for the same period. Server-side retention is addressed in the Privacy Policy.
7. Consent and cookie choices
Where applicable law requires consent, the Site should request a clear choice before storing or accessing non-essential cookies. Essential cookies may operate without optional consent when they are necessary to provide a requested service, secure the Site or remember privacy selections.
If a cookie-preference tool is available, you may be able to:
- Accept all available categories.
- Reject non-essential categories.
- Select individual categories according to the options presented.
- Change or withdraw a prior choice through a “Cookie Settings” or similar control.
Withdrawing consent does not make earlier processing unlawful. A new choice may not remove data already received by a third party, but it should prevent future optional access where technically supported and legally required.
8. Browser and device controls
Most browsers provide settings that allow you to view, block or delete cookies. Instructions vary by browser and device, but are usually available under privacy, security, site-data or content settings.
- You can delete cookies already stored in the browser.
- You can block all cookies or only third-party cookies.
- You can configure the browser to ask before storing certain cookies.
- You can clear local storage, site data and permissions for this domain.
- You may be able to use private-browsing modes or browser privacy extensions.
Browser controls operate separately from any preference tool provided on the Site. Blocking cookies at browser level may override choices made in the Site interface.
9. Do Not Track and global privacy signals
Some browsers or extensions transmit signals such as Do Not Track or a legally recognized opt-out preference signal. Because technical standards and legal obligations differ, the Site may respond to such signals when required by applicable law and technically supported by the tools in use.
A browser signal may not control every essential, embedded or server-side technology. You can also use the cookie settings made available on the Site and contact us regarding an applicable privacy request.
10. What happens when cookies are disabled
Rejecting optional cookies should not prevent access to ordinary editorial content. However, disabling all cookies or storage may affect functions that depend on them, including:
- Remembering your privacy choices between visits.
- Submitting or protecting forms from automated abuse.
- Loading embedded videos or interactive third-party content.
- Keeping an authenticated administrator or contributor session active.
- Remembering accessibility, display or language preferences.
If a feature does not work after cookies are blocked, you may need to allow the minimum relevant category or contact us through direct email.
11. Changes to this Cookies Policy
We may update this policy when cookie categories, providers, Site features or applicable requirements change. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised date.
Where a change materially affects consent choices, the Site may request a new selection or provide an updated notice through the cookie interface.
12. Contact us
For questions about cookies, consent choices or technologies used on Side Hustle Ledger, contact us and include “Cookie Question” in the subject line.