Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 2025
Understanding Our Cookie Use
Doctor Recommendations is an editorial platform dedicated to providing evidence-based health information and guidance. We use cookies to improve your reading experience, understand how visitors interact with our content, and deliver relevant articles.
This policy explains what cookies are, the types we use, why we use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They contain information that helps websites remember your preferences and activity.
Types by Duration: Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser, while persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period.
Types of Cookies We Use
1. Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas.
Examples: Authentication tokens, security settings, HTTPS enforcement
2. Performance Cookies
These help us understand how visitors use the site and which content is most valuable. We use this data to optimize our editorial offerings and site speed.
Examples: Page load times, article viewing patterns, bounce rates
3. Functional Cookies
These enable personalized features like remembering your font size preferences, reading history, or preferred article categories.
Examples: Language preferences, sidebar settings, article bookmarks
4. Advertising & Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us measure the effectiveness of our content distribution and understand which topics resonate with our readers.
Examples: Google Analytics, traffic sources, content engagement metrics
How We Use Cookies
- • Improving User Experience: Remember your preferences and reading history to deliver relevant articles
- • Analytics: Track content performance to understand which health topics interest our readers
- • Website Security: Protect against fraud and ensure secure access to your account
- • Content Optimization: Identify the most useful articles so we can create more similar content
- • Marketing Insights: Understand how readers discover our articles across different platforms
Cookie List
| Cookie Name | Type | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Analytics | 2 years | Google Analytics - visitor identification |
| _gid | Analytics | 24 hours | Google Analytics - session tracking |
| _gat | Analytics | 1 minute | Google Analytics - request throttling |
| dr_session | Essential | Session | Site session management and security |
| dr_preferences | Functional | 1 year | User interface preferences and settings |
| dr_reading_history | Functional | 6 months | Track articles read for personalization |
| dr_consent | Essential | 1 year | Record your cookie preferences |
| utm_source, utm_medium, utm_campaign | Analytics | Session | Track article traffic sources |
Third-Party Cookies
Our site uses services from third parties that may set their own cookies:
- Google Analytics: Measures article performance and reader behavior patterns
- Google Ads: Helps us understand which content topics generate interest
- Content Delivery Networks: Optimize article loading speeds for better reading experience
- Social Media Platforms: If you share articles, platforms may set cookies to track shares
These third parties have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review them.
Managing Your Cookies
Browser Settings
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or alert you when a cookie is being sent. Here's how for common browsers:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Clear browsing data
Cookie Consent Control
When you first visit our site, a consent banner appears. You can:
- Accept All: Enable all cookie types
- Reject Non-Essential: Allow only essential cookies for site function
- Manage Preferences: Choose which cookie types to enable
Do Not Track (DNT)
If your browser has DNT enabled, we respect that preference. However, some analytics features may be limited.
Note: Disabling cookies may affect site functionality and your ability to access personalized content recommendations.
Your Rights
Under data protection regulations (such as GDPR), you have rights regarding your personal data:
- • Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw your cookie consent at any time using our cookie management tool
- • Right to Know: Ask what personal data we collect and how we use it
- • Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data
- • Right to Access: Request a copy of data we hold about you
To exercise these rights, contact our editorial team with your request.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this cookie policy or our use of cookies, please contact our editorial team:
Updates to This Policy
We may update this cookie policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or regulatory requirements. Significant changes will be communicated to our readers. Your continued use of the site after updates means you accept the new policy.
This policy was last updated in January 2025.
Related policies and information:
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