Cookie Policy
Last Updated: January 7, 2026
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites store on your computer or phone. They help websites:
- Remember your preferences
- Understand how you use the site
- Keep you logged in
- Provide a better experience
Think of them like a bookmark that helps the website recognise you next time.
How We Use Cookies
We use cookies on ianjbarwell.com to:
- Remember if you accepted our cookie notice
- Understand which pages are popular
- See how visitors move through the site
- Improve our website based on usage
We DO NOT use cookies to:
- Track you across other websites
- Sell your data
- Store sensitive personal information
Types of Cookies We Use
1. Essential Cookies
Purpose: Make the website work properly
Duration: Session or up to 1 year
Examples:
- Cookie consent preferences
- Security features
- Basic website functionality
Can you disable them? No - the site won't work properly without these
2. Analytics Cookies
Purpose: Help us understand how visitors use our site
Duration: Usually up to 2 years
Examples:
- Google Analytics (if used)
- Page visit counts
- Time spent on pages
- Device and browser information
Can you disable them? Yes - see "How to Control Cookies" below
3. Performance Cookies
Purpose: Make the website faster and better
Duration: Session to 1 year
Examples:
- Loading speed optimisation
- Content delivery network (CDN) cookies
Can you disable them? Yes - but the site may be slower
Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies come from services we use:
GitHub Pages (Our Hosting)
- May set cookies for basic functionality
- Privacy Policy: https://docs.github.com/en/site-policy/privacy-policies
AWeber (Email Service)
- May set cookies if you interact with newsletter signup
- Privacy Policy: https://www.aweber.com/privacy.htm
Google Analytics (if used)
- Tracks website usage anonymously
- Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Cookie Details Table
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| cookie_consent | Remembers your cookie choice | Essential | 1 year |
| _ga | Google Analytics visitor ID | Analytics | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics session ID | Analytics | 24 hours |
| session_id | Website session management | Essential | Session |
Note: Actual cookies depend on which services are active
How to Control Cookies
Option 1: Cookie Consent Banner
- When you first visit, we'll ask about cookies
- You can accept or decline non-essential cookies
- You can change your choice anytime
Option 2: Browser Settings
Google Chrome:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies
- Choose your preference
- You can block or delete specific cookies
Firefox:
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security
- Under Cookies and Site Data, choose your setting
- Click "Manage Data" to remove specific cookies
Safari:
- Go to Preferences > Privacy
- Choose "Block all cookies" or manage individually
What Happens If You Disable Cookies?
If you disable cookies:
- Essential cookies disabled: The website may not function properly
- Analytics cookies disabled: We can't improve the site based on usage data
- Performance cookies disabled: The site might load slower
Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted here with a new "Last Updated" date.
Contact Us
Questions about cookies? Contact us at:
Email: ian@ianjbarwell.com
Website: https://ianjbarwell.com