What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data, stored in text files, that are stored on your computer or other device when websites are loaded in a browser. They are widely used to “remember” you and your preferences, either for a single visit (through a “session cookie”) or for multiple repeat visits (using a “persistent cookie”). They ensure a consistent and efficient experience for visitors, and perform essential functions such as allowing users to register and remain logged in. Cookies may be set by the site that you are visiting (known as “first party cookies”), or by third parties, such as those who serve content or provide advertising or analytics services on the website (“third party cookies”). 

Both websites and HTML emails may also contain other tracking technologies such as “web beacons” or “pixels.” These are typically small transparent images that provide us with statistics, for similar purposes as cookies. They are often used in conjunction with cookies, though they are not stored on your computer in the same way. As a result, if you disable cookies, web beacons may still load, but their functionality will be restricted. 

How we use cookies

We use cookies for a number of different purposes. Some cookies are necessary for technical reasons; some enable a personalized experience for both visitors and registered users. Some of these cookies may be set when a page is loaded, or when a visitor takes a particular action (clicking the “like” or “follow” button on a post, for example).

Many of the cookies we use are only set if you are a registered user (so you don’t have to log in every time, for example), while others are set whenever you visit one of our websites, irrespective of whether you have an account.

For more information on the choices you have about the cookies we use, please see the Cookies section below.

Types of Cookie

Necessary - Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

Analytics and Performance - These cookies allow us to optimize performance by collecting information on how users interact with our websites, including which pages are visited most, as well as other analytical data. We use these details to improve how our websites function and to understand how users interact with them.

Cookies

ss_cvr - Analytics - This cookie is set by websites that uses SquareSpace platform. The cookie is used to identify unique isitors and tracks a visitor's sessions on a site. Duration: 2 years

ss_cvt - Analytics - This cookie is set by websites that uses SquareSpace platform. The cookie is used to identify unique visitors and tracks a visitor's sessions on a site. Duration: 30 minutes

ss_cid - Analytics - This cookie is set by websites that uses SquareSpace platform. The cookie is used to identify unique isitors and tracks a visitor's sessions on a site. Duration: 2 years

ss_cvisit - Analytics - This cookie is set by websites that uses SquareSpace platform. The cookie is used to identify unique isitors and tracks a visitor's sessions on a site. Duration: 30 minutes

ss_cpvisit - Analytics - This cookie is set by websites that uses SquareSpace platform. The cookie is used to identify unique isitors and tracks a visitor's sessions on a site. Duration: 2 years

crumb - Necessary - This cookie is set by websites that uses SquareSpace platform. The cookie is used to prevent cross-site request forgery (CSRF). Duration: session

_hjSessionUser_{site_id}

Set when a user first lands on a page.

Persists the Hotjar User ID which is unique to that site. Hotjar does not track users across different sites.

Ensures data from subsequent visits to the same site are attributed to the same user ID.

365 days duration.

JSON data type.

_hjid

This is an old cookie that we do not set anymore, but if a user has it unexpired in their browser, we will reuse its value and migrate to _hjSessionUser_{site_id}.

Set when a user first lands on a page.

Persists the Hotjar User ID which is unique to that site.

Ensures data from subsequent visits to the same site are attributed to the same user ID.

365 days duration.

UUID data type.

_hjFirstSeen

Identifies a new user’s first session.

Used by Recording filters to identify new user sessions.

30 minutes duration, extended on user activity.

Boolean true/false data type.

_hjHasCachedUserAttributes

Enables us to know whether the data set in _hjUserAttributes Local Storage item is up to date or not.

Session duration.

Boolean true/false data type.

_hjUserAttributesHash

Enables us to know when any User Attribute has changed and needs to be updated.

2 minutes duration, extended every 30 seconds.

Content hash data type.

_hjUserAttributes

Local storage item

Stores User Attributes sent through the Hotjar Identify API.

No explicit expiration.

Base64 encoded JSON data type.

hjViewportId

Session storage item

Stores user viewport details such as size and dimensions.

Session duration.

UUID data type.

hjActiveViewportIds

Local storage item

Stores user active viewports IDs.

Stores an expirationTimestamp that is used to validate active viewports on script initialization.

JSON data type.

_hjRecordingEnabled

Session storage item

Set when a Recording starts.

Read when the Recording module is initialized to see if the user is already in a recording in a particular session.

Session duration.

Boolean true/false data type.

_hjRecordingLastActivity

Session storage item

Updated when a user recording starts and when data is sent to the server (the user performs an action that Hotjar records).

Session duration.

Numerical value (timestamp) data type.

_hjClosedSurveyInvites

Set when a user interacts with a Link Survey invitation modal.

Ensures the same invite does not reappear if it has already been shown.

365 days duration.

List of Survey IDs, URL encoded.

_hjDonePolls

Set when a user completes an on-site Survey.

Ensures the same Survey does not reappear if it has already been filled in.

365 days duration.

List of Survey IDs, URL encoded.

_hjMinimizedPolls

Set when a user minimizes an on-site Survey.

Ensures that the Survey stays minimized when the user navigates through your site.

365 days duration.

List of Survey IDs, URL encoded.

_hjShownFeedbackMessage

Set when a user minimizes or completes a Feedback widget.

Ensures the Feedback widget will load as minimized if the user navigates to another page where it is set to show.

One day duration.

Boolean true/false data type.