This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, which ones we use on soundb.org, and how you can control them. Read this alongside our Privacy Policy for the full picture of how we handle your data.
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work correctly, to improve efficiency, and to provide information to the website owner.
Cookies can be "session cookies" (deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent cookies" (remain on your device for a set period). They can be set by the website you are visiting ("first-party cookies") or by third-party services running on that page ("third-party cookies").
We use three categories of cookies on soundb.org:
| Cookie | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| sb_session | Maintains your session state as you navigate the site. Required for the site to function. | Session | |
| sb_csrf | Security token to prevent cross-site request forgery attacks. | Session | |
| sb_prefs | Remembers your cookie consent preferences and display settings. | 12 months | |
| _ga | Google Analytics — distinguishes unique users for traffic analysis. Data is anonymised and aggregated. | 2 years | |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics 4 — maintains session state for analytics. No personally identifiable information is stored. | 2 years | |
| _gid | Google Analytics — distinguishes users. Expires after 24 hours. | 24 hours | |
| __gads | Google AdSense — measures ad interactions and limits how often you see the same ad. Only set once you turn on Advertising Cookies below. | 13 months | |
| __gpi | Google AdSense — used to personalise the ads shown to you. Only set once you turn on Advertising Cookies below. | 13 months | |
| _gcl_au | Google AdSense — attributes ad clicks for conversion measurement. Only set once you turn on Advertising Cookies below. | 3 months |
Soundb is funded in part by advertising, and Google AdSense runs on the site. If you leave Advertising Cookies off, ads still appear but are not personalised: Google Consent Mode is told to deny ad storage, ad-user-data and ad-personalisation, so no advertising cookie is written and no profile is built from your visit. Turning the toggle on is the only thing that changes that, and you can turn it back off at any time.
Some features of soundb.org embed content or link to third-party services which may set their own cookies. These include:
G-6Q7574FSFZ), governed by Google's Privacy Policy. GA4 does not log or store IP addresses. Analytics is only active when the "Analytics Cookies" toggle below is on — turning it off calls Google's Consent Mode and stops analytics cookies from being written.ad_storage, ad_user_data and ad_personalization as denied and you get untargeted ads.We have no control over third-party cookies. Please refer to the respective privacy policies of these services for information on their cookie practices.
Essential cookies cannot be disabled — they are required for the site to function. Everything else is off by default until you choose otherwise, either via the card shown on your first visit or the toggles below:
Withdrawing consent for analytics, advertising or preference cookies will not affect your ability to use soundb.org, and turning advertising off does not remove ads or put any content behind a paywall — it only stops them being targeted. Your choice is stored in the sb_prefs cookie for 12 months. If we ever add a new category of cookie, that stored choice no longer covers it, so you will be asked again rather than having the new one switched on for you.
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
Please note that disabling all cookies may affect the functionality of soundb.org and other websites you visit. For guidance on managing cookies in your specific browser:
For a comprehensive opt-out tool covering many analytics providers, visit youronlinechoices.com.
We may update this Cookie Policy as we introduce new features or change our cookie practices. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect any changes. We will notify newsletter subscribers of material changes by email.
For any questions about our use of cookies or this policy, please contact us at privacy@soundb.org. We aim to respond within 5 business days.