Last reviewed on October 4, 2026.
What Cookies Are
A cookie is a small text file stored by your browser when you visit a website. Cookies allow a site (or a third-party service embedded in it) to remember information between requests — for example, that you have already seen a notice, that an analytics session is ongoing, or that an ad slot has been measured. Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, and pixels; we treat them together for the purposes of this policy.
How GermanStates.com Uses Cookies
GermanStates.com does not run user accounts, comments, or a shopping cart, so the cookies in use here are limited. They fall into the following categories:
1. Strictly necessary
These are required for the site to function — for example, basic security tokens or load-balancing identifiers set by our hosting provider. They cannot be turned off without breaking core functionality.
2. Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand which articles are read and how readers move through the site. Typical cookies in this category include _ga and _ga_<ID>, set by Google. They help us measure traffic in aggregate; they are not used to identify individual readers by name.
3. Map tiles
The interactive maps on state pages load tiles and library files from third-party providers (CARTO map tiles from basemaps.cartocdn.com, based on OpenStreetMap data, and unpkg.com for the Leaflet library). These services may set technical cookies of their own when serving requests; we do not control them.
No Advertising Cookies
GermanStates.com does not show ads and does not set advertising or affiliate-tracking cookies. If advertising is ever introduced, this page will be updated first.
How to Control Cookies
Opt out of Google Analytics
You can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on, or block analytics cookies through your browser or a privacy extension.
Manage cookies in your browser
All major browsers let you view, accept, or block cookies, and clear stored cookies. Search your browser's settings for "cookies" or "site data". Blocking all cookies will affect the operation of most websites you visit, not just this one.
Do Not Track
Different browsers handle Do Not Track signals differently and there is no single industry standard for honouring them. We rely on the controls listed above rather than DNT alone.
If You Are in the EU, EEA, UK, or Switzerland
The site does not currently show a cookie-consent banner. Google Analytics is the only non-essential tool that sets cookies; you can block or delete its cookies at any time using the browser settings or the opt-out add-on described above. Strictly necessary processing by our hosting provider does not require consent.
Changes to This Policy
This Cookie Policy is updated when the cookies we set change, when third-party tools change, or when applicable law evolves. The "Last reviewed" date at the top reflects the most recent substantive update. For background on how we handle personal data more generally, please also read our Privacy Policy.
Contact
Questions about cookies on GermanStates.com can be sent to [email protected].