The short version
The Homeowner Guide does not use advertising cookies, marketing trackers or third-party ad networks. The site saves three small items in your browser’s local storage so it remembers your choices. Privacy-focused analytics load only if you accept “analytics” in the cookie banner. You can change your choices at any time with the “Cookie settings” link in the footer of every page.
Cookies and local storage
Cookies are small text files a website stores in your browser, usually sent back to the website with each request. Local storage is a similar browser feature that lets a site save small pieces of information on your device, but those values are not automatically sent to the website’s servers.
The Homeowner Guide uses local storage, not tracking cookies, for its own settings. The items below stay on your device and are not sent to us.
What the site stores
| Name | Type | Purpose | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
thg-consent | Local storage | Remembers your cookie banner choices, such as whether you accepted analytics | 12 months, then the banner asks again |
thg-theme | Local storage | Remembers whether you chose light, dark or system theme | Until you change it or clear your browser storage |
thg-recent | Local storage | Keeps your recent site searches so you can find them again; stays on your device | Until you clear it or your browser storage |
These items are needed for the features you use, such as remembering your theme or your consent choice. They do not identify you and are not used for advertising.
Analytics, only with your consent
If you accept “analytics” in the cookie banner, we load Cloudflare Web Analytics. It is a privacy-focused tool that shows us aggregate information, such as which guides are read most and which countries visitors come from, so we know what to improve. It does not use cookies to track individuals, and we do not use it to follow you across other websites or build a profile of you.
If you decline analytics, or close the banner without choosing, the analytics script is not loaded at all. If your browser sends a Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal, we treat it as an opt-out, as described in our privacy policy.
Hosting and security
The site is hosted on Cloudflare Pages. To deliver pages and protect the site against attacks, Cloudflare processes technical data such as IP addresses and request logs. In some cases, Cloudflare may set a strictly necessary security cookie, for example to tell real visitors from automated attacks. Such cookies are used only for security and delivery, not for analytics or advertising.
What we do not use
- No advertising cookies or ad networks.
- No social media tracking pixels.
- No marketing or retargeting trackers.
- No cookies that sell or share your information for cross-context behavioral advertising.
If we ever add a tool that stores something new in your browser, we will update the table above and this page’s date before it is used, and ask for consent where it is required.
How to change your choices
- Cookie settings link: select “Cookie settings” in the footer of any page to reopen the banner and change your analytics choice. Your new choice takes effect right away.
- Theme: switch between light, dark and system using the theme control on the site.
- Clear everything: you can delete all items the site has stored through your browser’s settings, usually under privacy or site data. After you clear them, the site will ask for your cookie choices again.
- Browser controls: most browsers let you block cookies or local storage for specific sites. The site will still work for reading, but it will not remember your settings.
Embedded and linked content
Our guides link to government agencies and other sources. If you follow a link, the other site may use its own cookies under its own policy. We do not control those cookies.
Questions
Email [email protected] or use the contact form. For more on how we handle personal information and your rights, read our privacy policy and Do Not Sell or Share page.
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