Cookie Policy

Last updated: June 2024

Nebula Porch ("we", "us", "our") uses a minimal set of cookies and browser storage technologies to operate this site and, where you allow it, to understand how visitors use our telescope and astronomy gear reviews. This policy explains what we use, why we use it, and how you can control or withdraw your consent.

What We Use and Why

We keep things as lean as possible. Below is a full breakdown of the storage technologies active on nebulaporch.com.

Essential Local Storage (Consent Preference)

When you first visit Nebula Porch, a cookie consent banner appears asking whether you accept or decline non-essential cookies. Your choice (accepted or declined) is saved using your browser's localStorage, not a traditional cookie. This is strictly necessary so the site remembers your preference and does not show the banner on every page load.

Name: nebulaporch_cookie_consent
Type: localStorage (not a cookie)
Purpose: Stores your accept/decline choice for cookie consent
Duration: Persists until you clear your browser storage or change your choice
Third-party access: None — this data stays in your browser and is not transmitted to us or any third party

Analytics Cookies (Only If You Accept)

If you click "Accept" on the consent banner, we load a privacy-conscious analytics script that helps us understand which telescope reviews, buying guides, and comparison pages are most useful to readers. This lets us improve our content over time. These cookies are not loaded if you decline or ignore the banner.

Purpose: Aggregate, anonymized statistics on page views, session duration, and traffic sources
Provider: Third-party analytics service (cookies are set and controlled by that provider, not directly by Nebula Porch)
Duration: Varies by provider, typically between 24 hours and 24 months depending on the specific cookie
Data shared: Anonymized or pseudonymized usage data; we do not use analytics cookies to identify you personally

Because these cookies are only set after you actively accept, no analytics cookie is placed on your device during your first visit or if you choose to decline.

Third-Party Cookies

Aside from the analytics provider mentioned above, Nebula Porch does not knowingly embed third-party advertising cookies, social media tracking pixels, or cross-site retargeting scripts. If this changes in the future, we will update this page and, where required, prompt you for renewed consent.

How to Withdraw Consent or Clear Your Choice

Since your consent preference is stored locally in your browser rather than on our servers, you are always in control. You can withdraw or reset your choice at any time using any of the following methods:

Clear your browser's cookies and site data for nebulaporch.com through your browser settings (usually found under Privacy, History, or Site Data).
Use your browser's developer tools to manually delete the localStorage entry named nebulaporch_cookie_consent.
Clear all browsing data for the recent session, which will reset the consent banner so it appears again on your next visit, allowing you to make a new choice.

Once cleared, revisiting the site will show the consent banner again, and analytics cookies (if previously accepted) will not be reinstated until you actively accept again.

Browser-Level Controls

Most browsers also let you block all cookies, block third-party cookies specifically, or receive a warning before a cookie is set. Please note that blocking essential localStorage may cause the consent banner to reappear on every visit, since your browser cannot remember your prior choice.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy occasionally to reflect changes in the technologies we use or for legal and regulatory reasons. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date.

Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or localStorage, you can reach us through the contact details listed on our Contact page.