Cookie Policy

Learn how we use cookies to improve your experience

Effective Date: January 29, 2026

Last Modified: January 29, 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how The Chord Companion ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website and services (collectively, the "Service").

By using our Service, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They help websites remember information about your visit, such as your preferences, login status, and browsing behavior.

Cookies can be "persistent" (remain on your device until deleted or expired) or "session" (deleted when you close your browser). They can also be "first-party" (set by the website you're visiting) or "third-party" (set by other domains).

Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies such as:

  • Local Storage: Stores data in your browser that persists across sessions
  • Session Storage: Stores data temporarily during your browsing session
  • Web Beacons: Small graphic images used to track user behavior
  • Analytics Tools: Software that collects usage statistics

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for several important reasons:

  • Security: Protect your account and prevent unauthorized access
  • Authentication: Keep you logged in as you navigate the Service
  • Preferences: Remember your instrument, tuning, and display settings
  • Performance: Optimize load times and improve Service efficiency
  • Analytics: Understand how users interact with the Service
  • Improvements: Identify areas for enhancement and new features

3. Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies (Required)

These cookies are strictly necessary for the Service to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, authentication, and accessibility.

Purpose:

  • User authentication and session management
  • Security and fraud prevention
  • Load balancing and performance optimization
  • CSRF protection

Examples:

  • __clerk_db_jwt - Authentication token
  • __session - Session identifier
  • csrf_token - Cross-site request forgery protection

Duration: Session or up to 30 days

Cannot be disabled - These cookies are required for the Service to work.

Functional Cookies (Optional)

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization. They remember your choices and preferences to provide a more customized experience.

Purpose:

  • Remember instrument and tuning preferences
  • Save display settings (dark mode, layout)
  • Remember favorited chords
  • Language preferences
  • Volume and audio settings

Examples:

  • user_instrument - Selected instrument
  • user_tuning - Current tuning
  • favorites - Favorited chords (localStorage)
  • audio_preferences - Volume settings

Duration: Up to 1 year

Can be disabled - Disabling may affect user experience.

Analytics Cookies (Optional)

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the Service by collecting and reporting information anonymously. We use this data to improve our Service and user experience.

Purpose:

  • Track page views and navigation paths
  • Measure feature usage and engagement
  • Identify popular content and chords
  • Monitor performance and errors
  • Understand user acquisition sources

Provider: Google Analytics 4

Examples:

  • _ga - Distinguishes users
  • _ga_* - Maintains session state
  • _gid - Distinguishes users (24 hours)

Duration: Up to 2 years

Privacy: IP addresses are anonymized before processing

Can be disabled - Use cookie settings or browser extensions.

Marketing/Advertising Cookies

We do NOT use marketing or advertising cookies.

The Chord Companion does not track you across other websites, serve personalized ads, or sell your data to advertisers. We do not use any third-party advertising networks or retargeting pixels.

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are set by third-party services that we use to provide functionality and analytics. These services may collect information about your browsing activities across different websites.

Third-Party Services We Use:

Clerk (Authentication)

Manages user authentication and sessions

Privacy: clerk.com/privacy

Cookies: Authentication tokens, session management

Google Analytics 4

Collects anonymized usage statistics

Privacy: policies.google.com/privacy

Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

Cookies: _ga, _ga_*, _gid

Stripe (Payment Processing)

Processes payments and manages subscriptions

Privacy: stripe.com/privacy

Cookies: Used on Stripe checkout pages only

Note: We have configured these services to respect user privacy and minimize data collection where possible. However, we do not control how these third parties use cookies. Please review their privacy policies for more information.

5. How to Manage Cookies

You have several options to control and manage cookies:

5.1 Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to:

  • View and delete cookies
  • Block all cookies
  • Block third-party cookies
  • Clear cookies when you close your browser
  • Make exceptions for specific websites

Cookie Settings by Browser:

  • Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
  • Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
  • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
  • Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data

5.2 Analytics Opt-Out

To opt out of Google Analytics tracking:

5.3 Do Not Track

We respect "Do Not Track" (DNT) browser signals. When DNT is enabled, we:

  • Do not load Google Analytics
  • Minimize the use of analytics cookies
  • Only use essential cookies required for Service functionality

5.4 Mobile Devices

On mobile devices, you can:

  • iOS: Settings → Safari → Block All Cookies
  • Android: Settings → Site settings → Cookies
  • Use privacy-focused browsers like Firefox Focus or DuckDuckGo

5.5 Impact of Disabling Cookies

⚠️ Important Notice

Blocking essential cookies will prevent core features from working, including:

  • Unable to log in or stay logged in
  • Loss of preferences and settings
  • Reduced security protections
  • Inability to save progressions

Blocking functional or analytics cookies will not prevent you from using the Service, but may affect your experience and our ability to improve it.

7. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors.

When we make changes, we will:

  • Update the "Last Modified" date at the top of this page
  • Notify you of significant changes via email or a notice on our Service
  • Continue to respect your cookie preferences

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

The Chord Companion

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