Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 2024
Specialist Medical Path ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies on specialistmedicalpath.info to enhance your reading experience, understand how you interact with our editorial content, and improve our website's functionality. This policy explains what cookies are, why we use them, and how you can manage them.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. They contain information that your browser sends back to our servers on subsequent visits. Cookies help websites remember your preferences and track your activity for various purposes.
Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as page navigation, accessing secure areas, and remembering your cookie preferences. Without essential cookies, the website cannot operate correctly.
Duration: Session or persistent
Performance Cookies
These cookies help us understand how readers interact with our content. They collect anonymized data about page visits, article engagement, and navigation patterns. This information helps our editorial team improve article quality and website usability.
Duration: Typically 24 months
Functional Cookies
These cookies remember your choices and preferences, such as your language preference, text size settings, or reading history. They enhance your personalized reading experience when you return to our site.
Duration: Up to 12 months
Analytics Cookies
We use analytics cookies to gather statistics about website traffic, content performance, and reader demographics. This data is anonymized and helps us understand which medical topics and articles are most valuable to our audience.
Duration: Typically 13-24 months
How We Use Cookies
- Improving Content: Understanding which articles readers find most useful helps us create better medical information and guides.
- Website Performance: Analyzing traffic patterns allows us to optimize page loading speeds and user interface design.
- Personalization: We remember your preferences to deliver a more tailored reading experience on repeat visits.
- Security: Essential cookies help protect your session and maintain website security.
- Compliance: We use cookies to track consent preferences and comply with privacy regulations.
Cookies We Use
| Cookie Name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| smp_session_id | Essential | Maintains user session and website functionality | Session |
| cookie_consent | Essential | Records your cookie preferences and consent status | 12 months |
| smp_language_pref | Functional | Remembers your language preference | 12 months |
| smp_reading_history | Functional | Tracks recently viewed articles for personalization | 6 months |
| smp_ui_preferences | Functional | Stores text size and display preferences | 12 months |
| _ga | Analytics | Google Analytics - tracks unique visitor ID | 24 months |
| _ga_session | Analytics | Google Analytics - session tracking | Session |
| smp_article_engagement | Performance | Measures article reading time and scroll depth | 24 months |
| smp_page_visits | Performance | Counts page visits and referral sources | 13 months |
| smp_search_queries | Performance | Analyzes site search terms to improve content | 6 months |
Managing Your Cookies
Browser Settings
You can control cookies through your web browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- Block all cookies or only third-party cookies
- Delete cookies from your device
- Receive notifications when cookies are being set
- Set exceptions for specific websites
Instructions for popular browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner. You can choose to accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customize your preferences. You can change your consent settings at any time by clicking the cookie settings link in the website footer.
Analytics Opt-Out
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. This prevents your data from being sent to Google Analytics while still allowing other cookies to function.
Do Not Track (DNT)
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" feature. Our website recognizes and respects DNT signals; however, we may still use essential cookies for website functionality and security. Performance and analytics cookies will not be set when DNT is enabled.
Important Information
Impact of Disabling Cookies
While you can disable non-essential cookies without affecting basic website access, disabling essential cookies may prevent parts of our website from functioning correctly, such as maintaining your login session or remembering your preferences. Some interactive features may also be unavailable.
Third-Party Cookies
We use Google Analytics for performance tracking. Google may set its own cookies on your device. Google's use of data is governed by its Privacy Policy. We do not control third-party cookies set by external services.
Policy Updates
We may update this cookie policy to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We'll notify you of significant changes by updating the "Last updated" date above. Continued use of our website after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
Questions About Cookies?
If you have questions about our cookie practices or would like to discuss your privacy preferences, please contact our editorial team at:
Specialist Medical Path
High Street 33
Liverpool
For content feedback and inquiries: [email protected]
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