Cookies Policy
Last Updated: April 11, 2025
This Cookies Policy explains how Home Inspector Buddy™ ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website or use our services.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to the website owners.
2. Types of Cookies We Use
We use different types of cookies for various purposes:
2.1 Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and account access. You cannot opt out of these cookies.
Examples of essential cookies we use:
- Session cookies for user authentication
- Security cookies to prevent fraudulent activities
- Load balancing cookies to ensure website availability
2.2 Functional Cookies
These cookies enable us to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages.
Examples of functional cookies we use:
- Language preference cookies
- User interface customization cookies
- Service preference cookies
2.3 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve our website and services.
Examples of analytics cookies we use:
- Google Analytics cookies to track page views and user journeys
- Hotjar cookies to understand user behavior
- Performance monitoring cookies to ensure optimal website performance
2.4 Marketing Cookies
These cookies are used to track visitors across websites. They are set to display targeted advertisements and measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns.
Examples of marketing cookies we use:
- Facebook Pixel cookies
- Google Ads cookies
- LinkedIn Insight Tag cookies
3. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies are placed by third parties on our behalf. These third parties may include:
- Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics)
- Advertising networks (e.g., Google Ads, Facebook)
- Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
- Service providers (e.g., Stripe for payment processing)
These third parties may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect or receive information from our website and elsewhere on the internet to measure the effectiveness of advertisements and provide more relevant advertising.
4. Cookie Duration
Cookies can remain on your device for different periods:
- Session Cookies: These cookies exist only while your browser is open and are deleted automatically once you close your browser.
- Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on your device after your browser is closed until they expire or you delete them.
5. Your Cookie Choices
Most web browsers allow some control of cookies through browser settings. You can:
- Block cookies by activating the setting on your browser that allows you to refuse all or some cookies.
- Delete cookies after browsing.
- Browse in "private" or "incognito" mode, which allows you to browse without storing local data.
Please note that if you block or delete cookies, some features of our website may not function properly.
To find information about managing cookies in your browser, visit:
6. Cookie Consent
When you first visit our website, we will ask for your consent to use non-essential cookies through a cookie banner. You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking on the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer of our website.
7. Specific Cookies We Use
7.1 Essential Cookies
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| session_id | Home Inspector Buddy™ | User authentication | Session |
| XSRF-TOKEN | Home Inspector Buddy™ | Security, prevents cross-site request forgery | 1 day |
| cookie_consent | Home Inspector Buddy™ | Stores your cookie preferences | 1 year |
7.2 Functional Cookies
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| language | Home Inspector Buddy™ | Remembers language preference | 30 days |
| ui_mode | Home Inspector Buddy™ | Remembers dark/light mode preference | 1 year |
| recent_searches | Home Inspector Buddy™ | Stores recent search queries | 90 days |
7.3 Analytics Cookies
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Identifies unique user sessions | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate | 1 minute |
| _hjid | Hotjar | Sets a unique ID for the session | 1 year |
7.4 Marketing Cookies
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _fbp | Used by Facebook to deliver advertisements | 90 days | |
| _gcl_au | Google Ads | Stores ad click information | 90 days |
| UserMatchHistory | LinkedIn Ads ID syncing | 30 days |
8. Web Beacons and Other Technologies
In addition to cookies, we may use web beacons (also known as pixels or clear GIFs) and similar technologies. Web beacons are small graphic images that may be included on our website and in our communications. They work with cookies to identify our users and user behavior.
9. Do Not Track
Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" feature that signals to websites that you visit that you do not want to have your online activity tracked. Due to the lack of a standard interpretation of Do Not Track signals across the industry, we currently do not respond to Do Not Track browser signals or mechanisms.
10. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or our business practices. Any changes will become effective when we post the revised policy on our website. We encourage you to periodically review this page for the latest information on our cookie practices.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us at:
- Email: justin@gethibud.com