Cookie Policy
Effective Date: January 14, 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how Archade Inc. ("Archade", "we", "us") uses cookies and similar technologies to recognize you when you visit our platform. It explains what these technologies are and why we use them, as well as your rights to control our use of them. Incorporating this policy ensures we comply with the ePrivacy Directive (EU), GDPR, and CCPA/CPRA.
1. Definitions: What are Cookies?
Cookies are small data files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used by website owners to make their websites work, or to work more efficiently, as well as to provide reporting information.
- First-party cookies: Cookies set by the website owner (Archade).
- Third-party cookies: Cookies set by parties other than the website owner (e.g., Google Analytics, Stripe, Intercom).
- Session cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies: Cookies that remain on your device until erased or they expire.
2. Why We Use Cookies
We use first-party and third-party cookies for several reasons. Some cookies are required for technical reasons in order for our Website to operate, and we refer to these as "essential" or "strictly necessary" cookies. Other cookies also enable us to track and target the interests of our users to enhance the experience on our Online Properties. Third parties serve cookies through our Website for advertising, analytics, and other purposes.
3. Categories of Cookies We Use
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies (Essential)
These cookies are critical for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
__Host-next-auth.csrf-token | Archade | CSRF protection to prevent malicious cross-site requests. | Session |
__Host-next-auth.session-token | Archade | Maintains your secure logged-in user session. | 30 Days |
archade_consent | Archade | Stores your cookie consent preferences. | 1 Year |
stripe_mid, stripe_sid | Stripe | Fraud detection and payment processing security. | 1 Year |
3.2 Performance & Analytics Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga, _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users to calculate visitor, session, and campaign data. | 2 Years |
ph_phc_* | PostHog | Product analytics to understand feature usage and user flows. | 1 Year |
vitals | Vercel | Measures Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS) for speed optimization. | Session |
3.3 Functionality Cookies
These cookies enable the website 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.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
theme | Archade | Remembers your preference for Dark Mode or Light Mode. | Persistent |
sidebar_state | Archade | Remembers if you collapsed the navigation sidebar. | Persistent |
preferred_currency | Archade | Remembers your preferred currency for Marketplace pricing. | Persistent |
3.4 Targeting & Advertising Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device.
- Google Ads / DoubleClick: Used to measure conversion from search ads.
- LinkedIn Insights: Used to measure professionals visiting via LinkedIn campaigns.
4. Other Tracking Technologies
4.1 Web Beacons (Pixels)
We may imply "web beacons" (or "tracking pixels") to recognize you. These are tiny graphics files that allow us to monitor the traffic patterns of users from one page within our website to another, or to understand whether you have come to our website from an online advertisement.
4.2 Local Storage (HTML5)
We use Local Storage (LS) to store content information and preferences (such as your "Draft" state for unsubmitted projects) to ensure you don't lose data if your browser crashes.
5. How You Can Control Cookies
You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. You can exercise your cookie rights by setting your preferences in the Cookie Consent Manager.
5.1 Browser Controls
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings preferences. To find out more about how to manage cookies on popular browsers:
5.2 "Do Not Track" (DNT)
Some browsers transmit "Do Not Track" signals. Because there is no common industry standard for DNT handling, Archade does not currently alter its behavior in response to DNT signals, but we do respect Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals where legally required.
6. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. The date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last updated.
- Frequency: We review this policy annually or whenever we add new tracking partners.
- Notification: Material changes will be generated via a banner on the website.
7. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or other technologies, please email us at: privacy@archade.app
Owner: Legal + Engineering