Cookie Policy

Last updated: 4 May 2026

Plain English: we use one cookie banner on first visit. If you Accept, we load Google Analytics + Google Ads tracking so we can measure how the site performs and which ads work. If you Reject, those don't load. You can change your mind any time using the button at the bottom of this page.

1. What cookies are

Cookies are small text files stored in your browser when you visit a website. Some are essential (the site cannot work without them), others are optional (analytics, advertising). EU and Irish ePrivacy law requires us to ask for your consent before setting non-essential cookies.

2. How we ask for consent (Consent Mode v2)

On your first visit, you'll see a banner at the bottom of the screen with two options — Accept all or Reject. We use Google Consent Mode v2, which means:

Before you decide: all advertising and analytics cookies are denied by default. Google's tags load but operate in "consent denied" mode — they send only anonymised, cookieless pings.
If you Accept: we update consent for ad_storage, ad_user_data, ad_personalization, and analytics_storage. Cookies start being set; previously-pending pings get the proper consent flag.
If you Reject: the defaults stay denied. You'll still see the website normally; we just won't measure your visit beyond an anonymised hit count.

Your choice is stored in your browser's localStorage as scl_consent = "granted" | "denied". We don't sync this across devices — each browser/device asks once.

3. Cookies we use

3.1 Strictly necessary (always set)

Name	Set by	Purpose	Lifetime
`scl_consent`	SmartCare Living (this site)	Records your cookie-banner choice (granted/denied) so we don't ask again	localStorage — until you clear it
`scl_quizCompleted`, `scl_quizCompletedAt`	SmartCare Living	Remembers that you finished the assessment, so we show the right call-to-action across the site	localStorage — until you clear it
`scl_quiz`	SmartCare Living	Persists your quiz answers so the results page can compose the right recommendation	sessionStorage — cleared when you close the tab

3.2 Analytics & advertising (only set if you Accept)

Name	Set by	Purpose	Lifetime
`_ga`, `_ga_<ID>`	Google Analytics 4	Distinguishes unique visitors and sessions for website-performance measurement	2 years
`_gid`	Google Analytics 4	Distinguishes daily users (not always present)	24 hours
`_gcl_au`, `_gcl_aw`	Google Ads (Conversion Linker)	Stores Google ad-click IDs (gclid) so we can attribute conversions to ads accurately	90 days
`NID`	Google (third-party)	Set by Google for personalised ads on Google sites — only if Accept	6 months
`IDE`	DoubleClick / Google (third-party)	Used by Google Ads for retargeting and conversion measurement — only if Accept	13 months

This list reflects the cookies we deploy via Google Tag Manager. Google may update its own cookie names from time to time; the categories and purposes above remain accurate.

3.3 Cookies we do NOT use

No social-media tracking pixels (Meta/Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok)
No third-party advertising networks beyond Google Ads
No cross-site behavioural profiling beyond what Google's own cookies do

4. Change or withdraw your consent

You can change your decision any time. Click the button below to clear your stored choice — the banner will reappear on your next page load.

You can also block or delete cookies entirely via your browser settings:

Blocking cookies entirely may affect other websites you visit; on this site, the impact is limited to analytics and ad measurement.

5. Do Not Track

Most browsers offer a Do Not Track (DNT) signal. Industry consensus on how DNT should be honoured is unsettled, and Consent Mode v2 already gives you fine-grained control via the banner. If we receive a DNT signal we treat it as evidence of non-consent and keep advertising/analytics cookies disabled until you explicitly Accept.

6. Changes to this Cookie Policy

We may update this page if our cookie usage changes — for example, if we add a new analytics provider or remove an existing one. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent change. Material changes will trigger the banner to reappear so you can review and re-consent.

7. Contact

Questions about cookies, tracking or our use of personal data: privacy@smartcareliving.ie.

8. Related documents

Privacy Policy — how we handle your personal data more broadly
Terms of Use — rules for using this website
SmartGuardian Disclaimer & Legal Notice — what the SmartGuardian product does and does not do