Cookie Policy
This page explains what cookies and similar technologies USTimeZonesMap uses, why we use them, and how to control them. It complements the broader privacy policy.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file that a website asks your browser to store on your device. When you return to the site or visit another site that uses the same service, the browser sends the cookie back, which lets the site or service recognise your browser. Similar technologies — local storage, session storage, and tracking pixels — work the same way for our purposes here. Throughout this page, "cookies" refers to all of them.
Categories of cookies used on this site
1. Strictly necessary
These cookies are required for the basic operation of the site, such as keeping security and rate-limiting features working. They cannot be turned off in our systems, but they do not store personally identifying information.
2. Analytics
The site uses Google Analytics (measurement ID G-M9B0L8JXJ8). Analytics cookies count visits, track which pages are viewed, and measure how visitors move through the site in aggregate. This helps us improve content and fix usability issues. We do not use analytics cookies to identify individual visitors.
3. Advertising
The site is supported by advertising served through Google AdSense. Advertising cookies are set by Google and its certified partners to:
- Serve ads, including personalised ads where you have consented or where personalised advertising is allowed by default in your region.
- Measure ad performance — for example, counting impressions and detecting invalid clicks.
- Limit how often you see the same ad ("frequency capping").
Specific cookies you may see
The exact list of cookies can change as third-party services update their products. The most common ones at the time this page was last reviewed are:
| Cookie / storage key | Set by | Purpose | Approx. duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga, _ga_* | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users and sessions for usage measurement. | Up to 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users for a short window. | 24 hours |
| NID, IDE, ANID, DSID and similar | Google / DoubleClick | Ad serving, personalisation (where applicable), frequency capping, and measurement. | From session to ~2 years, depending on the cookie |
| __gads, __gpi | Google AdSense | Ad delivery and measurement on this site. | Up to ~13 months |
Cookie names and durations are controlled by the third parties that set them and may change. The category (analytics or advertising) is the most reliable way to understand what each cookie does.
How to control or opt out
Google's advertising controls
You can review and adjust what Google uses to personalise ads at Google Ad Settings. You can turn off ad personalisation entirely from that page. You can also visit Google's "Ads and your data" page for more controls.
Industry-wide opt-outs
Many advertising vendors honour the opt-outs offered by industry self-regulatory programs:
- Your Online Choices — for users in the EU and UK.
- DAA WebChoices — for users in the United States.
- AdChoices Canada — for users in Canada.
These tools let you opt out of personalised advertising from many companies in one place. You may still see ads after opting out, but they will be less tailored to your interests.
Browser-level controls
Every major browser lets you view, block, and delete cookies. The exact steps vary by browser; the help pages for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge describe how. Many browsers also offer a "private" or "incognito" mode that limits how long cookies persist.
Blocking cookies entirely can break parts of the site. Strictly necessary cookies are needed for normal operation; blocking only analytics and advertising cookies leaves all visible features intact.
"Do Not Track" and Global Privacy Control
We respect Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals from browsers that send them, treating GPC as a request to opt out of "sale" or "sharing" of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising where applicable. "Do Not Track" remains unstandardised and is interpreted inconsistently across the web; we recommend the controls listed above for the clearest results.
Changes to this policy
This cookie policy may be updated to reflect changes in the services we use or in applicable law. The "Last reviewed" date at the top of the page is updated whenever the policy changes.
Contact
Questions about cookies on this site can be sent to [email protected].