Cookie Policy

Last Updated: December 30, 2025

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide functionality, and deliver information to website owners.

2. How We Use Cookies

Novel Scout uses cookies for the following purposes:

  • Essential Functionality: Cookies required for the website to function properly.
  • Security: Cookies to protect against cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks.
  • Analytics: Cookies to understand how visitors use our site (only with your consent).
  • Preferences: Cookies to remember your consent choices.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies (No Consent Required)

These cookies are essential for the website to function and cannot be disabled.

Cookie Name Purpose Duration
sessionid Maintains your session state across page requests 2 weeks
csrftoken Security measure to prevent CSRF attacks on forms 1 year
cookie_consent Stores your cookie consent preferences 1 year

3.2 Analytics Cookies (Requires Consent)

These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website. They are only set if you accept non-essential cookies.

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Duration
_ga Google Analytics Distinguishes unique users 2 years
_ga_<container-id> Google Analytics Stores session state 2 years
_gid Google Analytics Distinguishes users 24 hours
_gat Google Analytics Throttles request rate 1 minute

3.3 Third-Party Cookies

hCaptcha: When you submit the subscription form, hCaptcha sets cookies to verify you're not a bot. See hCaptcha's Privacy Policy for details.

4. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

4.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit Novel Scout, you'll see a cookie consent banner. You can choose to:

  • Accept All: Allow all cookies including analytics.
  • Reject Non-Essential: Only essential cookies will be set.

Your choice is stored in localStorage and a cookie_consent cookie for 1 year. You can change your preference at any time by clearing your browser data and revisiting the site.

4.2 Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to:

  • View and delete cookies
  • Block all cookies
  • Block third-party cookies only
  • Clear cookies when you close the browser

Learn more about cookie controls:

Note: Blocking essential cookies may prevent the website from functioning properly.

4.3 Google Analytics Opt-Out

You can prevent Google Analytics from tracking your activity by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

5. Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" feature that signals to websites that you don't want to be tracked. Currently, there is no industry standard for how to respond to DNT signals. Novel Scout respects your cookie consent choices as the primary indicator of your tracking preferences.

6. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

7. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:

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