Cookie Policy
How we use cookies and similar technologies on our website
2025/03/10
Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Toolso.AI uses cookies, web beacons, local storage, and similar tracking technologies on our AI tools directory platform. This policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy.
By using Toolso.AI, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy. You can manage your cookie preferences at any time using the controls described below.
Last Updated: March 10, 2025
What Are Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Cookies
Cookies are small text files (typically 4KB or less) stored on your device when you visit a website. They contain:
- A unique identifier assigned to your device
- Information about your preferences and session
- Data to help us recognize you on return visits
Other Tracking Technologies
We also use:
- Web Beacons (Pixels): Small invisible images that track page views and user actions
- Local Storage: Browser storage for larger amounts of data that persist across sessions
- Session Storage: Temporary storage that clears when you close your browser
- ETags: HTTP headers used for caching and tracking
- Fingerprinting: Collecting device and browser characteristics for analytics
Why We Use Cookies
As an AI tools directory platform, we use cookies to:
Essential Operations
- Maintain user login sessions and authentication
- Remember your language preference (English/Chinese)
- Provide security and fraud prevention
- Enable core platform functionality (search, filtering, favorites)
Personalization
- Remember your saved AI tools and favorites
- Customize AI tool recommendations based on your interests
- Store your display preferences (dark mode, layout)
- Track which tools you've viewed for "Recently Viewed" features
Analytics and Improvement
- Understand which AI tools are most popular
- Analyze user journeys and navigation patterns
- Identify usability issues and bugs
- Measure the effectiveness of our recommendation algorithms
- Track which third-party tools users click to visit
Marketing and Communication
- Deliver relevant newsletter content based on your interests
- Measure the effectiveness of our email campaigns
- Provide targeted content and recommendations
- Support social media sharing features
Categories of Cookies We Use
1. Essential Cookies (Required)
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be disabled in our systems. Without these cookies, core services like authentication and secure access cannot be provided.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
session_id | Maintains your login session | Session | First-party |
csrf_token | Protects against cross-site request forgery | Session | First-party |
auth_token | Authenticates your account access | 30 days | First-party |
cookie_consent | Remembers your cookie preferences | 1 year | First-party |
language | Stores your language preference (en/zh) | 1 year | First-party |
2. Functional Cookies (Optional)
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization. The website will function without them, but you may lose certain features.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
user_preferences | Stores your display settings (theme, layout) | 1 year | First-party |
favorites | Remembers your saved AI tools | 1 year | First-party |
recently_viewed | Tracks tools you've recently viewed | 30 days | First-party |
recommendations_opt | Stores your recommendation preferences | 1 year | First-party |
newsletter_preferences | Remembers your newsletter subscription settings | 1 year | First-party |
3. Analytics and Performance Cookies (Optional)
These cookies help us understand how users interact with our platform and improve our services.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics - distinguishes users | 2 years | |
_ga_* | Google Analytics - maintains session state | 2 years | |
_gid | Google Analytics - distinguishes users | 24 hours | |
plausible_user | Plausible Analytics - privacy-friendly tracking | 1 year | Plausible |
tool_clicks | Tracks which third-party tools are clicked | 30 days | First-party |
search_queries | Analyzes popular search terms | 30 days | First-party |
What we track:
- Page views and time spent on pages
- Click-through rates to third-party AI tools
- Search queries and filters used
- User flow and navigation patterns
- Device types and browser information
- Geographic location (country/city level only)
What we DON'T track:
- Personal identifying information (unless you're logged in)
- Sensitive personal data (health, finance, etc.)
- Keyboard inputs (except search queries)
- Your activities on third-party AI tool websites
4. Marketing and Targeting Cookies (Optional)
These cookies are used to deliver relevant content and advertisements based on your interests.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
_fbp | Facebook Pixel - tracks conversions | 3 months | Meta |
_gcl_au | Google Ads - attribution tracking | 3 months | |
twitter_analytics | Twitter Analytics - measures engagement | 2 years | Twitter/X |
li_sugr | LinkedIn Ads - tracks conversions | 3 months | |
email_campaign | Tracks email campaign effectiveness | 30 days | First-party |
How we use marketing cookies:
- Show relevant AI tools based on your browsing history
- Customize newsletter content to your interests
- Measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
- Retarget users who visited our platform (with consent)
- Share aggregated data with advertising partners
Important: These cookies may track your activity across multiple websites. You can opt out using the controls below.
AI Recommendation Algorithm and Cookies
Our AI-powered recommendation system uses cookies to personalize tool suggestions:
Data Used for Recommendations
- Browsing History: Tools you've viewed and time spent (stored in
recently_viewed) - Saved Tools: Your favorites and bookmarks (stored in
favorites) - Search Behavior: Keywords and filters you use (stored in
search_queries) - Category Preferences: AI tool categories you explore most (stored in
user_preferences) - Interaction Patterns: Click-through rates and engagement signals
How Recommendations Work
- Collaborative Filtering: "Users who viewed X also viewed Y"
- Content-Based Matching: Tools similar to ones you've saved
- Popularity Signals: Trending and highly-rated tools
- Category Affinity: Tools in categories you frequently browse
Opting Out of Personalization
You can disable personalized recommendations in your [account settings]. This will:
- Clear your browsing history and recommendation data
- Show only generic, non-personalized tool suggestions
- Not affect essential functionality
Third-Party Cookies and Services
Third-Party Services We Use
We use third-party services that may set cookies on your device:
Analytics Services
- Google Analytics: Website traffic and user behavior analysis
- Google's Privacy Policy
- To opt out of Google Analytics tracking, you can:
- Use browser settings to block third-party cookies
- Enable "Do Not Track" in your browser settings
- Visit Google's Privacy & Terms for more information
- Plausible Analytics: Privacy-friendly, cookieless analytics (where possible)
Authentication Providers
- Google OAuth: Sign in with Google
- GitHub OAuth: Sign in with GitHub
- These set cookies to maintain your authentication with their services
Payment Processing
- Stripe: Subscription and payment management
- Stripe uses cookies to prevent fraud and process payments securely
Content Delivery
- CDN Services: Fast delivery of images, scripts, and static files
- CDNs may set cookies to optimize content delivery
Email Services
- Email Service Providers: Newsletter delivery and engagement tracking
- May set cookies when you click links in our emails
Third-Party AI Tools
Important: When you click through to third-party AI tools listed on our platform:
- You are leaving Toolso.AI and visiting a third-party website
- That website may set its own cookies on your device
- We do not control third-party cookie practices
- Please review the privacy and cookie policies of third-party tools
We do NOT receive data about your activities on third-party AI tool websites.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
Browser Controls
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through settings:
Chrome
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
- Choose "Block third-party cookies" or "Block all cookies"
- Manage exceptions for specific sites
Firefox
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security
- Under "Cookies and Site Data", choose your preferences
- Use "Manage Exceptions" for specific sites
Safari
- Go to Preferences > Privacy
- Choose "Block all cookies" or manage by website
- Enable "Prevent cross-site tracking"
Edge
- Go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies
- Choose "Block third-party cookies" or "Block all cookies"
- Manage exceptions for specific sites
Cookie Consent Tool
On your first visit, you'll see a cookie consent banner allowing you to:
- Accept All: Enable all cookies for the best experience
- Reject Non-Essential: Only essential cookies will be set
- Customize: Choose specific cookie categories to enable
You can change your preferences anytime through your browser settings (see instructions above).
Do Not Track (DNT)
We respect the "Do Not Track" browser signal. When DNT is enabled:
- We will not set non-essential cookies
- Analytics and marketing cookies will be disabled
- Personalized recommendations will be turned off
- Essential cookies remain necessary for core functionality
Global Privacy Control (GPC)
We also honor the Global Privacy Control signal as required by CCPA and other privacy regulations.
Impact of Blocking Cookies
If you block or delete cookies, you may experience:
Essential Cookies Blocked
- ❌ Cannot log in to your account
- ❌ Cannot save favorites or preferences
- ❌ Security features may not work
- ❌ Language preference not remembered
Functional Cookies Blocked
- ⚠️ No personalized recommendations
- ⚠️ Recently viewed tools not tracked
- ⚠️ Display preferences not saved
- ⚠️ Enhanced features unavailable
Analytics Cookies Blocked
- ✅ No impact on your experience
- ℹ️ Helps us improve the platform less effectively
Marketing Cookies Blocked
- ✅ No impact on your experience
- ℹ️ May see less relevant newsletter content
Data Retention and Cookie Lifespan
Different cookies have different lifespans:
- Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
- Persistent Cookies: Remain until expiration or manual deletion
- Essential Cookies: Retained for up to 30 days
- Functional Cookies: Retained for up to 1 year
- Analytics Cookies: Retained for up to 2 years
- Marketing Cookies: Retained for up to 3 months
You can delete cookies at any time using your browser settings.
Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding cookies:
EU/EEA (GDPR)
- Right to withdraw consent at any time
- Right to object to processing for marketing purposes
- Right to access and delete data collected via cookies
California (CCPA/CPRA)
- Right to opt-out of sale of personal information (note: we don't sell data)
- Right to limit use of sensitive personal information
- Right to know what data is collected
Other Jurisdictions
- We comply with applicable local privacy and cookie laws
- Contact us to exercise your rights
Mobile App Tracking (If Applicable)
If we offer a mobile app in the future, we will use similar tracking technologies:
- App Identifiers: Device IDs for analytics and attribution
- SDKs: Third-party software development kits for functionality
- You can manage tracking in your device settings (iOS: "Limit Ad Tracking", Android: "Opt out of Ads Personalization")
Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:
- Changes in our cookie practices
- New cookies or tracking technologies
- Legal or regulatory requirements
- User feedback and best practices
Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Material changes will be communicated via email (if you have an account) or a prominent notice on our platform.
Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies:
- Email: privacy@toolso.ai
- Data Protection Officer: dpo@toolso.ai
- Contact Form: Contact us
Managing Your Cookies: Use your browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge) as described in the "Browser Controls" section above.
For EU users, you can lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe our cookie practices violate your rights.
Additional Resources
- Privacy Policy - How we protect your personal data
- Terms of Service - Rules for using our platform
- About Cookies - Learn more about cookies (external resource)