WhaleFinders Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how WhaleFinders LLC ("WhaleFinders", "we", "us") uses cookies and similar technologies on whalefinders.com. It tells you what these technologies are, which ones we use, why we use them, what happens when you allow or refuse each type, and how you can control them at any time. It forms part of, and should be read alongside, our Privacy Policy and our Terms & Conditions.

Last updated: June 17, 2026.
Effective date: June 17, 2026.

1. What cookies and similar technologies are

A cookie is a small text file that a website stores on your device so it can remember information about your visit. We also use similar technologies, such as browser local storage, which let a site save small amounts of information in your browser. In this policy, when we say "cookies" we mean cookies and these similar technologies together, because the law that governs them covers any storing of, or access to, information on your device.

Cookies can be "first party" (set by the website you are visiting, in this case WhaleFinders) or "third party" (set by another company whose service we use, such as our analytics provider). They can also be "session" cookies, which are deleted when you close your browser, or "persistent" cookies, which stay until they expire or you delete them.

2. How we use cookies, and your choices

We group the cookies we use into four categories: strictly necessary, functional, analytics, and marketing. Strictly necessary cookies are always active because the site cannot work properly without them. Every other category is switched off until you choose to allow it.

When you first visit the site, a consent banner appears before any non-essential cookie is set. You can Accept all, Reject all, or open Customize to allow or refuse each category individually. We do not set analytics or other non-essential cookies unless and until you agree, and refusing is as easy as accepting.

You can change your mind at any time. To reopen the cookie banner and update your choices, select Manage cookie preferences. Withdrawing or changing consent is as simple as giving it. Your choice is remembered for up to six months, after which we will ask again, and you can reset it sooner by clearing your browser storage for this site.

We use Google Consent Mode, which means our analytics tools stay in a restricted, cookieless state until you opt in, and only begin setting cookies once you accept the analytics category. Where your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal, we treat it as a request to keep non-essential cookies off.

3. The cookies and storage we use

The list below reflects what the site actually uses. Because we load most non-essential tools only after you consent, several of these are present only once you have opted in.

Strictly necessary (always active)

wf_consent is a first-party entry stored in your browser's local storage by WhaleFinders. Its only purpose is to record your cookie choices so we can honor them and avoid asking you on every page. It contains your preferences, not information that identifies you, and it has no fixed expiry, so it stays until you clear it or change your choice. Storing this preference is essential to respecting your decision, so it cannot be switched off.

Functional

We do not currently use any functional cookies. The live-chat widget previously offered on this site has been removed, and no chat cookies are set. If we introduce a functional cookie, nothing will be set without your consent.

Analytics (Google Analytics)

We use Google Analytics 4, provided by Google LLC, to understand in aggregate how visitors find and use the site so we can improve it. With your consent it sets two first-party cookies. _ga distinguishes one visitor from another, and _ga_RJ7DV3Y1NT keeps track of session activity for this site; the string after "_ga_" is simply the identifier of our own analytics property, not a tracker from any other party, and it is the same kind of cookie that every Google Analytics 4 website sets. Both last up to two years, are refreshed on each visit, and in practice are capped at around thirteen months by most browsers. Google Analytics 4 does not log or store full Internet Protocol addresses, and we have not turned on Google Signals, advertising features, or any data-sharing setting on the property, so what we receive is plain, aggregated site usage. It is processed by Google on our behalf and is not used to advertise to you, and no analytics cookies are set unless you accept the analytics category.

Marketing

We do not currently use marketing or advertising cookies. If that ever changes, we will update this policy and ask for your consent before any such cookie is set.

A note on our hosting

Our website is built and hosted on Framer. Framer's built-in analytics are cookieless and anonymized, so the hosting platform itself does not set cookies or place persistent identifiers on your device.

4. What happens when you allow or refuse each type

Strictly necessary. These stay on at all times. They let the site function and let us remember your privacy choices. They cannot be turned off, and they hold no information used for marketing.

Functional. None are in use today, so allowing or refusing this category has no effect at present. If we introduce a functional cookie, nothing will be set without your consent.

Analytics. If you allow them, we collect anonymized, aggregated information about how the site is used, such as pages viewed, time on the site, and general location, and Google processes it on our behalf so we can improve the site. If you refuse them, no analytics cookies are set and Google Analytics does not track your visit; thanks to Consent Mode only anonymous, cookieless signals may be sent for aggregate modeling, and the site works exactly the same for you.

Marketing. We do not use these today, so allowing or refusing the category has no effect at present. If we introduce them, nothing will be set without your consent.

5. Managing cookies in your browser

Alongside our banner, you can control cookies through your browser. Most browsers let you see what cookies are stored, delete them, and block some or all of them. You can find these controls in the settings or preferences of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge, usually under a "Privacy" or "Cookies and site data" section. Please note that blocking all cookies, including strictly necessary ones, may stop parts of this and other websites from working properly, and that clearing your browser storage will also remove your saved cookie choice, so the banner will appear again on your next visit.

6. Third parties and further reading

Some cookies are set by service providers we rely on, and your data may be processed by them under their own policies. Separately, some services we link to process personal information under their own policies when you choose to use them: Stripe when you pay, Calendly when you book a call, and Telegram when you message us; these run on their own sites or apps and do not set cookies on whalefinders.com. You can read more about our analytics provider here:

Google Analytics is provided by Google LLC. See Google's Privacy Policy, how Google uses information from sites that use its services, and the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.

7. Your privacy choices

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. The analytics described above are used to improve our site, not to advertise to you. Where your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal, we treat it as a request to keep non-essential cookies switched off. Wherever you live, you can exercise your privacy rights, including asking us to access or delete the information we hold about you, by contacting us using the details below, and we will never treat you differently for doing so.

8. Changes to this Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the technologies we use or in the law. When we make a material change, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top, and where required we will ask for your consent again. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

9. Contact us

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies, contact WhaleFinders LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company, at admin@whalefinders.com. For more detail on how we handle personal information generally, please see our Privacy Policy, and for our full terms see our Terms & Conditions.