Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how ESTA Guide ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on our website estaguide.co.uk (the "Website"). By continuing to browse and use our Website, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.

1. What Are Cookies?

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

Types of Information Cookies Collect:

• Information about how you use the Website
• Your preferences and settings
• Pages you visit and links you click
• Time spent on each page
• Device and browser information

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies for the following purposes:

2.1 Essential Website Functionality

These cookies are necessary for the Website to function properly and cannot be disabled.

• Remembering your session as you navigate between pages
• Maintaining security and preventing fraud
• Enabling core website features
• Load balancing and server management

2.2 Performance and Analytics

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Website.

• Tracking which pages are most popular
• Identifying technical issues
• Measuring website performance
• Understanding user journey and navigation patterns

2.3 Functionality Cookies

These cookies remember your preferences to provide enhanced features.

• Remembering your selected country
• Storing your language preferences
• Saving form data between visits
• Customising content based on your choices

2.4 Marketing and Advertising

These cookies track your online activity to help deliver relevant advertising.

• Showing you relevant advertisements
• Limiting how many times you see an advertisement
• Measuring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns
• Understanding which marketing channels are most effective

3. Types of Cookies We Use

Cookie Type	Purpose	Duration
Session Cookies	Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser	Session
Persistent Cookies	Remain on your device for a set period or until manually deleted	Varies (up to 2 years)
First-Party Cookies	Set directly by our Website	Varies
Third-Party Cookies	Set by external services we use (e.g., analytics, advertising)	Varies

4. Specific Cookies Used on Our Website

4.1 Essential Cookies

Cookie Name	Purpose	Expiry
PHPSESSID	Maintains your session state across page requests	Session
cookie_consent	Stores your cookie preferences	1 year
csrf_token	Security token to prevent cross-site request forgery	Session

4.2 Analytics Cookies (if Google Analytics is used)

Cookie Name	Purpose	Expiry
_ga	Distinguishes unique visitors	2 years
_gid	Distinguishes unique visitors	24 hours
_gat	Used to throttle request rate	1 minute

4.3 Marketing Cookies (if Google Ads is used)

We may use Google Ads cookies to:

• Show you relevant advertisements based on your interests
• Track conversion from our advertisements
• Understand which marketing campaigns are most effective
• Prevent you from seeing the same advertisement repeatedly

5. Third-Party Services

Our Website may use the following third-party services that set cookies:

5.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our Website. Google Analytics sets cookies to collect information about your visit in an anonymous form.

Learn more: Google Privacy Policy

5.2 Google Ads

We use Google Ads to display relevant advertisements. Google may use cookies to show you ads based on your visits to our Website.

Learn more: Google Advertising

5.3 Social Media Platforms

If you share our content on social media, those platforms may set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies.

• Facebook: Facebook Cookie Policy
• Twitter: Twitter Privacy Policy
• LinkedIn: LinkedIn Cookie Policy

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

6.1 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• Block all cookies
• Accept only first-party cookies
• Delete cookies when you close your browser
• View and delete individual cookies

How to manage cookies in popular browsers:

• Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions

6.2 Opt-Out Tools

You can also opt out of specific types of cookies:

• Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Google Ads: Google Ads Settings
• Industry Opt-Out: Your Online Choices

7. Mobile Device Settings

On mobile devices, you can manage cookies and tracking through your device settings:

iOS (iPhone/iPad):

Settings → Safari → Block All Cookies

Android:

Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalisation

8. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature. Our Website does not currently respond to DNT signals. However, you can control cookies through the methods described in this policy.

9. Cookies and Children

Our Website is not directed at children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you are under 18, please do not use our Website or provide any personal information.

10. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our business practices. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date.

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

11. More Information

For more information about cookies and how they work, you can visit:

• AboutCookies.org
• AllAboutCookies.org
• ICO Cookies Guidance

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

13. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), you have rights regarding cookies and personal data:

• Right to be informed: You have the right to clear information about cookies we use
• Right to object: You can object to non-essential cookies
• Right to withdraw consent: You can change your cookie preferences at any time
• Right to access: You can request information about data collected through cookies

For more information about your data protection rights, please see our Privacy Policy.