Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

Populer.com (“Populer”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure our platform functions correctly, to personalize your experience, to analyze traffic and engagement, and to deliver relevant advertising.

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how and why we use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences. By continuing to use Populer.com after seeing our cookie banner, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this Policy.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They store information about your preferences, login sessions, and activity to help improve your experience.

We also use similar technologies, including:

• Pixels and Web Beacons: Tiny images or snippets of code that track engagement (e.g., email opens, ad views).
• Local Storage and SDKs: Technologies used in mobile apps for persistent data storage and analytics.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

A. Strictly Necessary Cookies

• Purpose: Enable core site functionality, such as logging in, account security, and page navigation.
• Examples: Authentication tokens, session cookies for load balancing, security cookies to prevent fraud.
• Duration: Session or short-term.
• Consent Required: No (these are essential).

B. Performance and Analytics Cookies

• Purpose: Help us understand how users interact with Populer.com — which pages are visited, how long users stay, and where they come from.
• Examples: Google Analytics.
• Data Collected: IP address (truncated), device type, browsing behavior, and click events.
• Consent Required: Yes (under GDPR).

C. Functionality Cookies

• Purpose: Remember your preferences and enhance usability, such as language settings, display options, or saved content filters.
• Examples: Language or region settings, dark/light mode preferences.
• Consent Required: Yes (optional).

D. Advertising and Targeting Cookies

• Purpose: Deliver personalized ads, measure performance, and limit frequency.
• Examples of Partners: Google Ads / DoubleClick, Meta Ads, TikTok Ads, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, Taboola / Outbrain.
• Data Collected: Advertising identifiers, browser data, inferred interests, and anonymized engagement metrics.
• Consent Required: Yes.

E. Social Media and Third-Party Integration Cookies

• Purpose: Allow you to share content and interact through social platforms.
• Examples: “Share” or “Like” buttons from Facebook, X (Twitter), or LinkedIn.
• Data Shared: Login information or social platform identifiers.
• Consent Required: Yes.

4. How We Use Cookies

• Keep you signed in and secure.
• Personalize your feed and AI-based recommendations.
• Analyze traffic, usage patterns, and performance.
• Deliver and measure advertising campaigns.
• Prevent fraud, spam, and unauthorized access.

Cookies also allow our AI systems to adapt recommendations over time while maintaining privacy by aggregating or pseudonymizing usage data.

5. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are set by trusted third parties to support analytics, advertising, and integrations. These partners process your data under their own privacy policies. Common providers include:

We require these providers to use data responsibly and in accordance with data-protection laws.

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

A. Populer Cookie Consent Tool

When you visit Populer.com, you’ll see a banner allowing you to:

• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Customize preferences (toggle categories on/off)

You can change your cookie settings anytime via the Cookie Settings link at the bottom of the page.

B. Browser Controls

You may also manage or delete cookies using your browser’s settings:

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy → Cookies and other site data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy
• Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security
• Edge: Settings → Site Permissions → Cookies

If you block cookies, some features of Populer.com may not function properly.

7. Consent Framework and Compliance

Populer.com operates under a Global Consent Management Framework to meet regional standards:

• GDPR / ePrivacy Directive: Prior consent required for non-essential cookies; users may withdraw consent anytime.
• UK DPA 2018: Mirrors GDPR; consent stored for 12 months or until withdrawn.
• CCPA / CPRA (California): Users can opt out of cross-context behavioral advertising and “sharing” of data.

8. Retention and Expiry of Cookies

• Session cookies expire when you close your browser.
• Persistent cookies last from 1 day to 13 months (unless deleted earlier).
• Analytics and advertising cookies may last up to 24 months, depending on the provider.

After expiry, cookies are automatically deleted or refreshed when you revisit Populer.com.

9. AI and Cookies

Our AI systems use anonymized cookie data to:

• Understand aggregate engagement and topic trends.
• Improve relevance of content recommendations.
• Avoid repetitive or irrelevant posts in your feed.

We do not use cookies for profiling that produces legal or significant effects without your consent.

10. Do Not Track (DNT) and Global Privacy Control

Populer.com honors Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals and Do Not Track (DNT) browser settings where required by law (e.g., under CCPA/CPRA). When enabled, these settings will automatically opt you out of personalized advertising cookies.

11. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, technology, or our business practices. Material updates will be communicated via banners or notices on our site. Please check this page periodically for the latest version.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or your privacy choices, please contact:
Populer.com

Email: [email protected]

13. Effective Date and Version Control

Effective Date: November 1, 2025

This Cookie Policy is part of the Populer.com Privacy Policy, available at: https://www.populer.com/privacy/privacy_policy