Cookie Policy
This policy explains what cookies are, which ones this website uses, and how you can adjust your preferences. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.
1. What Cookies Are
A cookie is a small text file placed on your device when you visit a website. It allows the site to remember certain information about your visit — such as your preferences or whether you have accepted a notice. Cookies are not executable programs and cannot access other files on your device.
Cookies are set either by the website you are visiting (first-party cookies) or by third-party services embedded in that site. The Cobalt Quill website uses only first-party cookies and one class of third-party analytics cookies, described below.
2. Cookies We Use
We use a small number of cookies, grouped into two categories:
Essential Cookies
These cookies are required for the website to function. They cannot be disabled. No personal data is shared with third parties as a result of these cookies.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| cq_cookie_consent | Records whether you have responded to the cookie notice, so it is not displayed on every visit. | 12 months |
| cq_session | Maintains a temporary session while you navigate the site. Expires when you close your browser. | Session |
Analytics Cookies (optional)
These cookies help us understand aggregate readership patterns — for example, which sections of the newsletter are most read and how readers arrive at the site. Data is collected in aggregate and is not used to identify individual visitors. You may decline these through the consent notice on the homepage.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _cq_analytics | Tracks aggregate page views and navigation paths in anonymised form to help us understand which content is useful. | 6 months |
| _cq_ref | Records the referring source of a visit (e.g. direct link, search) in anonymised form for readership reporting. | 30 days |
We do not use advertising cookies, social media tracking cookies, or any cookies that profile individual behaviour across sites.
3. Managing Your Preferences
When you first visit the Cobalt Quill website, a notice will appear at the foot of the screen. You may accept all cookies or decline optional analytics cookies. Your choice is stored in a cookie for twelve months so the notice does not reappear.
You may change your preference at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the site, at which point the notice will appear again. Alternatively, most browsers provide settings to block or delete cookies. Instructions for common browsers are linked below:
- Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Mozilla Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions
Disabling essential cookies may affect how the website functions. Disabling analytics cookies will have no effect on the content you can access.
4. Cookies and the Newsletter
Email editions of Cobalt Quill do not use tracking pixels or link-tracking technology. We do not measure individual open rates, click rates, or reading behaviour at a subscriber level. Aggregate delivery metrics (total deliveries, aggregate bounce rate) are used only for service maintenance.
5. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when we introduce new site features or in response to changes in applicable guidance. The effective date at the top of this page will be updated accordingly. Where a change materially affects how we use cookies, we will notify active subscribers by email.
6. Contact
Questions about our use of cookies should be sent to: