Cookie Policy

01What cookies are

Cookies are small text files stored by websites in your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.) when you visit them. They have two main purposes:

• Remembering preferences — selected language, authentication status, banner consent
• Collecting aggregated usage data (optional, with consent)

Cookies can be set by the site you're on (first-party) or by third-party services loaded by the site (third-party — analytics, fonts, etc.).

02Categories of cookies used

2.1 Essential cookies

Required for basic functionality of the site and admin panel. They cannot be disabled without breaking critical functionality (authentication, security, contact form).

No explicit consent required (legal basis under ePrivacy Art. 5(3) + GDPR Art. 6.1.b — contract performance).

2.2 Analytics cookies

Optional, used to understand how the site is used: which pages you visit, how long you stay on them, where you come from (traffic source).

Only set if you select "Accept all" or "Accept analytics" in the consent banner.

Provider: Google Analytics 4 with anonymized IP. We set these cookies only if you choose "Accept all" or tick "Analytics" in the preferences panel.

2.3 Preferences cookies

Reserved category, currently inactive. Will be used in the future to store visual choices between visits (theme, layout). It appears in the preferences panel as a separate option even though no cookies are set in this category yet.

2.4 Marketing / retargeting cookies

Reserved category, currently inactive. Would be used for ad retargeting on other platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Ads). No active pixels right now and we don't sell behavioral data to brokers. The local-first philosophy applies here too.

03Exact cookie list

3.1 Essential cookies (always on)

• seomaster_session — set by seo-master.ro · admin panel authentication session · duration: session (browser close) or 2 hours of inactivity
• seomaster_cookie_consent — set by seo-master.ro · stores your cookie consent preferences · duration: 12 months
• XSRF-TOKEN — set by seo-master.ro · CSRF (cross-site request forgery) protection · duration: session
• seomaster_lang — set by seo-master.ro · selected language (RO/EN) · duration: 12 months

3.2 Analytics cookies (with consent)

If you accepted the "Analytics" category, we set Google Analytics 4 cookies with anonymized IP:

• _ga — set by google-analytics.com · GA4 unique identifier (anonymized IP) · duration: 24 months
• _ga_<container> — set by google-analytics.com · GA4 session state · duration: 24 months

3.3 Preferences cookies

None active right now. The category is reserved for future use (theme or layout saved between visits).

3.4 Marketing cookies

None active right now. We don't set ad retargeting cookies and have no active ad pixels.

04How to manage consent

4.1 Cookie banner on first visit

On your first visit to the site, you'll get a banner with three clear options:

• Accept all — essentials + analytics + preferences + marketing (choice stored instantly)
• Essentials only — only cookies needed for functionality (all non-essential categories refused)
• Preferences — granular control per category (opens detailed panel with individual toggles)

Your decision is stored locally (in localStorage under the seomaster_cookie_consent key) for 12 months. After 12 months the banner reappears so you reconfirm.

4.2 Changing consent later

You can change your choice at any time:

• "Cookie settings" link persistent in the site footer — instantly opens the preferences panel with your current state
• Deleting the key seomaster_cookie_consent from browser storage → the banner reappears on your next visit

4.3 Withdrawing consent

Withdrawing consent takes immediate effect — analytics cookies set previously will be deleted on the next page load. It does not retroactively affect data already collected (anonymous, aggregated, individually unidentifiable).

05Cookies in your browser

5.1 See which cookies are set

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data → "See all cookies and site data"
• Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → "Manage Data"
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → "Manage Website Data"
• Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies → "See all cookies and site data"

5.2 Block / delete cookies

Modern browsers allow integral blocking of third-party cookies and full or selective deletion. Note: blocking essential cookies may make the admin panel non-functional (you can't authenticate without the session cookie).

5.3 Anonymous browsing

Your browser's incognito / private mode automatically deletes all cookies when the window closes. Our banner will appear every time in this mode.

06Cookies in the desktop Application

The SEO Master PRO MAX Application uses no cookies.

The Application runs as a native process on your operating system (signed NSIS perMachine executable on Windows, .dmg on macOS, .AppImage on Linux), not as a web page in a browser. Local storage is handled via:

• Local SQLite — audit data, reports, settings
• Electron safeStorage — API keys encrypted with your OS (Keychain/Credential Manager/libsecret)
• Electron userData — interface preferences (theme, language, layout)

The Application communicates with our servers exclusively for:

1. License verification at startup (HTTPS request, no cookies)
2. Update verification (HTTPS request, no cookies)

For external APIs (Google Search Console, OpenAI, etc.), the Application uses OAuth authentication or API keys — no cookies.

07Policy changes

If we change the analytics provider (from Plausible to GA4 or vice versa), if we add a new sub-processor that sets cookies, or if we change cookie durations — we will update this Policy.

Significant changes are announced via:

• Email to users with active admin accounts (at least 30 days in advance)
• Banner reappearance on the site to request renewed consent
• Visible update of the "Last updated" date in the page header

08Contact

For questions about cookies or exercising rights:

Email: gdpr@seo-master.ro or contact@seo-master.ro

Contact page: seo-master.ro/en/contact

Related documents: Privacy Policy · GDPR · Terms and Conditions.