Cookie Policy
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Backlinks Monitor (“we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website and use our backlink monitoring services (collectively, the “Service”). This policy provides detailed information about what cookies are, how we use them, what types of cookies we use, how you can control your cookie preferences, and how third parties may use cookies on our Service.
By using our Service, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy. If you do not agree to our use of cookies, you should disable cookies as explained in Section 8 of this policy or refrain from using our Service.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, improve user experience, and provide information to website owners about how visitors use their sites.
2.1 Types of Cookies by Lifespan
Session Cookies: These are temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. They enable websites to link your actions during a browsing session and are essential for features like maintaining your login state as you navigate through pages.
Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on your device for a set period specified in the cookie or until you manually delete them. They remember your preferences and actions across multiple browsing sessions, enabling features like “Remember Me” functionality and personalized content.
2.2 Types of Cookies by Origin
First-Party Cookies: These are set directly by Backlinks Monitor and can only be read by our domain. We use these cookies to provide core functionality, remember your preferences, and analyze how you use our Service.
Third-Party Cookies: These are set by external services and partners that we integrate with our Service, such as payment processors, analytics providers, and customer support tools. These cookies enable third-party features and functionalities on our platform.
3. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for several important purposes that enhance your experience with Backlinks Monitor and enable us to provide, secure, and improve our Service. Our cookies serve the following functions:
- Authentication: Verifying your identity when you log in and maintaining your logged-in state as you navigate through your account dashboard
- Security: Detecting and preventing fraudulent activity, unauthorized access attempts, and security breaches
- Preferences: Remembering your settings, language preferences, time zone, and dashboard customizations
- Performance: Analyzing how visitors use our Service to identify areas for improvement and optimize loading speeds
- Features: Enabling core functionality like backlink monitoring, notifications, and account management
- Analytics: Understanding user behavior patterns, feature usage, and service performance metrics
- Payment Processing: Facilitating secure subscription payments and transaction verification through our payment partners
4. Categories of Cookies We Use
We categorize cookies based on their purpose and functionality. Below is a detailed explanation of each category and how they are used on Backlinks Monitor:
4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies NECESSARY
These cookies are essential for the operation of our Service and cannot be disabled in our systems. They are set in response to actions you take, such as logging in, managing your subscription, or setting your privacy preferences. Without these cookies, critical features of our Service would not function properly.
Examples of strictly necessary cookies include:
- Session authentication cookies that keep you logged in
- Security cookies that protect against cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks
- Load balancing cookies that distribute traffic across our servers
- Cookie consent preference cookies that remember your cookie choices
4.2 Functional Cookies FUNCTIONAL
Functional cookies enable enhanced features and personalization that improve your experience with our Service. These cookies remember choices you make (such as dashboard layout, notification preferences, or default monitoring settings) and provide more personal features.
While these cookies enhance your experience, the Service can still function without them, though some features may be limited. We request your consent before setting functional cookies.
Examples of functional cookies include:
- Dashboard customization preferences (widget positions, column visibility)
- Notification settings and alert preferences
- Language and regional settings
- Recent searches and filter preferences
- Collapsed/expanded menu states
4.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies ANALYTICS
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Service by collecting and reporting information anonymously. We use this data to improve our Service, identify technical issues, and optimize user experience. All information collected by these cookies is aggregated and therefore anonymous.
Analytics cookies track metrics such as:
- Number of visitors and unique users
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- Traffic sources and referral paths
- Feature usage and interaction patterns
- Error rates and technical performance metrics
- Device types, browsers, and screen resolutions
We use Google Analytics to collect this information. Google Analytics uses cookies to distinguish users and sessions, track user interactions, and generate reports. You can learn more about how Google uses data from sites that use their services by visiting Google’s Privacy Policy.
4.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies MARKETING
Marketing cookies track your browsing activity to deliver advertising that is relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. These cookies are typically set by our advertising partners with our permission.
Currently, we use minimal marketing cookies, primarily for:
- Retargeting visitors who have shown interest in our Service
- Measuring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns
- Understanding which marketing channels drive conversions
- Providing personalized promotional content to existing users
We always request your explicit consent before setting marketing cookies. You can withdraw your consent at any time through our cookie preference center.
5. Detailed Cookie List
Below is a comprehensive list of cookies used on Backlinks Monitor, including their purpose, category, provider, and expiration period:
5.1 Essential Cookies
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| blm_session | backlinks-monitor.com | Maintains your authenticated session and keeps you logged in as you navigate through your account dashboard | First-party | Session (expires when browser closes) |
| blm_auth_token | backlinks-monitor.com | Securely identifies your account and validates your authentication status | First-party | 14 days |
| blm_csrf_token | backlinks-monitor.com | Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks and ensures secure form submissions | First-party | Session |
| blm_cookie_consent | backlinks-monitor.com | Stores your cookie preference choices so you are not asked repeatedly | First-party | 1 year |
| PHPSESSID | backlinks-monitor.com | Server-side session identifier used by PHP to maintain session state | First-party | Session |
5.2 Functional Cookies
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| blm_dashboard_layout | backlinks-monitor.com | Remembers your custom dashboard widget arrangement and display preferences | First-party | 30 days |
| blm_timezone | backlinks-monitor.com | Stores your preferred timezone for accurate timestamp display | First-party | 1 year |
| blm_language | backlinks-monitor.com | Remembers your selected language preference for the interface | First-party | 1 year |
| blm_sidebar_state | backlinks-monitor.com | Remembers whether your navigation sidebar is collapsed or expanded | First-party | 30 days |
| blm_notification_prefs | backlinks-monitor.com | Stores your notification and email alert preferences | First-party | 1 year |
5.3 Analytics Cookies
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users and generates statistical data about site usage | Third-party | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users and tracks behavior within a 24-hour period | Third-party | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate to reduce data collection on high-traffic sites | Third-party | 1 minute |
| _ga_<container-id> | Google Analytics 4 | Used by Google Analytics 4 to persist session state and collect data | Third-party | 2 years |
| blm_analytics_session | backlinks-monitor.com | Internal analytics to track feature usage and user flow patterns | First-party | 30 minutes |
5.4 Payment Processing Cookies
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| __stripe_mid | Stripe | Fraud prevention and security – helps detect and prevent fraudulent payment transactions | Third-party | 1 year |
| __stripe_sid | Stripe | Stripe session identifier for processing secure payments | Third-party | 30 minutes |
| machine_identifier | Stripe | Identifies the device used for payment to prevent fraud | Third-party | 1 year |
| paypal-cookie | PayPal | PayPal session management and secure payment processing | Third-party | Session |
| ts_c | PayPal | PayPal security and fraud detection cookie | Third-party | 3 years |
| x-pp-s | PayPal | PayPal session tracking for payment transactions | Third-party | Session |
6. Third-Party Services and Cookies
To provide a comprehensive backlink monitoring service, we integrate with several trusted third-party services. These services may set their own cookies when you use our Service. We have carefully selected these partners based on their commitment to privacy and data protection.
6.1 Payment Processors
Stripe: We use Stripe to process credit card payments, manage subscriptions, and handle billing. Stripe uses cookies for fraud detection, security, and payment processing. When you make a payment, Stripe’s cookies help verify the transaction and prevent fraudulent activity. Learn more at Stripe’s Privacy Policy.
PayPal: PayPal is used as an alternative payment method for subscriptions. PayPal sets cookies to authenticate your PayPal account, process transactions securely, and prevent fraud. Visit PayPal’s Privacy Statement for details.
6.2 Analytics Services
Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our Service, which features are most popular, and where improvements can be made. Google Analytics collects information anonymously and reports website trends without identifying individual visitors. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
6.3 Communication Tools
We may use customer support and communication platforms (such as live chat or help desk systems) that set cookies to maintain conversation history, authenticate support sessions, and improve service quality. These tools only activate when you choose to use them.
7. Legal Basis for Using Cookies
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ePrivacy Directive, we use different legal bases for setting cookies depending on their category:
7.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
Legal Basis: Legitimate Interest and Contractual Necessity. These cookies are essential for providing the Service you have requested and do not require your prior consent. Without these cookies, we cannot deliver core functionality like authentication and security.
7.2 Functional, Analytics, and Marketing Cookies
Legal Basis: Consent. We request your explicit consent before setting non-essential cookies. You have full control over these cookie categories and can accept or reject them through our cookie consent banner or preference center. You may withdraw your consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before withdrawal.
8. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You have several options to control and manage cookies on our Service:
8.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit Backlinks Monitor, you will see a cookie consent banner that allows you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You can choose to:
- Accept All Cookies: Enables all cookies for optimal functionality and personalization
- Reject Non-Essential Cookies: Only strictly necessary cookies will be set
- Customize Settings: Select specific cookie categories you wish to allow
8.2 Cookie Preference Center
You can access our Cookie Preference Center at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link in the footer of our website. This allows you to review and modify your cookie preferences, view detailed information about each cookie category, and see which cookies are currently active.
8.3 Browser Controls
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:
- View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
- Block third-party cookies
- Block cookies from specific websites
- Block all cookies
- Delete all cookies when you close your browser
Here are links to cookie management instructions for popular browsers:
8.4 Mobile Device Settings
If you access our Service through a mobile device, you can manage cookies and tracking through your device settings:
- iOS: Settings > Safari > Block Cookies
- Android: Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data
9. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers include a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want your online activities tracked. Currently, there is no industry standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. At this time, our Service does not respond to DNT signals, but we respect your cookie preferences set through our Cookie Preference Center and browser settings.
10. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our cookie practices, new features, legal requirements, or operational needs. When we make significant changes, we will notify you by:
- Updating the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy
- Sending an email notification to your registered email address
- Displaying a prominent notice on our website
- Requesting renewed consent where required by law
We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies. Your continued use of the Service after changes to this policy constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
11. Data Retention
Cookie data is retained for different periods depending on the cookie type:
- Session Cookies: Deleted automatically when you close your browser
- Persistent Cookies: Retained for the duration specified in the cookie table above
- Analytics Data: Aggregated analytics data is retained for up to 26 months
- Consent Records: Your cookie consent preferences are stored for up to 12 months or until you change them
12. International Data Transfers
Some of our third-party service providers (such as Google Analytics and payment processors) are located outside your country of residence. When you consent to cookies from these services, your data may be transferred to and processed in countries that may have different data protection laws than your country. We ensure that all such transfers comply with applicable data protection regulations through:
- Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
- Privacy Shield frameworks (where applicable)
- Adequacy decisions confirming adequate protection levels
- Other legally approved transfer mechanisms
13. Children’s Privacy
Our Service is not intended for children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information or set cookies on devices used by children under 16. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 16, please contact us immediately at [email protected] so we can delete such information.
14. Your Rights
Under GDPR and other applicable privacy laws, you have the following rights regarding cookies and personal data:
- Right to Access: Request information about what cookies are stored on your device
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Change your cookie preferences at any time
- Right to Object: Object to certain types of cookie processing
- Right to Erasure: Request deletion of data collected through cookies (subject to legal retention requirements)
- Right to Portability: Receive cookie-collected data in a structured format
- Right to Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with your local data protection authority
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 15 below.
15. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy, how we use cookies, or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us:
312 W 2ND ST
CASPER, WY 82601
United States
Email: [email protected]
Subject Line: Cookie Policy Inquiry
Response Time: We aim to respond to all inquiries within 48 hours during business days.
16. Additional Resources
To learn more about cookies, privacy, and your rights, visit these resources:
By continuing to use Backlinks Monitor, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Cookie Policy and agree to our use of cookies as described herein.
