What cookies are
Cookies are small text files a website stores in your browser. Some are needed for the site to work at all, such as the one that keeps you signed in. Others are optional and only set with your permission. This page lists every cookie GovSpotlight uses and lets you change your choices at any time. Our Privacy Policy explains the personal information we collect more broadly.
Your choices
The first time you visit, a banner asks whether we may use analytics and advertising cookies. Nothing optional is set until you answer, and ignoring the banner is the same as saying no. Your answer is stored for 12 months, and you can change it whenever you like:
- the Cookie settings link in the footer of every page,
- the button below, or
- Account → Security when you are signed in.
If your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal, advertising cookies are kept off automatically and the advertising switch is locked. You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings, though blocking necessary cookies will stop you from signing in.
Necessary cookies (always on)
Keep you signed in, remember your settings and your cookie choices, and protect the sign-up flow. The site can't work without them.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
sb-<project>-auth-token | GovSpotlight (via Supabase, our authentication provider) | Keeps you signed in. Split across numbered chunks when the session is large. | Up to 400 days; cleared when you sign out |
gs_consent | GovSpotlight | Stores the cookie choices you make in the banner or in Cookie settings. | 12 months |
gb_consent | GovSpotlight | Proves you accepted the Terms before being sent to Google sign-in. Used once and then deleted. | 10 minutes |
themebrowser storage, not a cookie | GovSpotlight | Remembers your light or dark theme choice. | Until you clear site data |
Analytics cookies
Help us understand which pages and features are used so we can improve them. We never send your name, email, searches or profile to an analytics provider.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics 4 (Google LLC) | Random identifier that tells repeat visits from new ones. | 2 years |
_ga_<ID> | Google Analytics 4 (Google LLC) | Keeps session state for the GA4 property. | 2 years |
Advertising cookies
Measure which ads and campaigns bring people to GovSpotlight. Off automatically when your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
gs_attr | GovSpotlight | Records the campaign tags and ad click identifier in the link you arrived from, so a later sign-up can be credited to that campaign. | 90 days, or until you sign up |
_gcl_aunot yet in use | Google Ads (Google LLC) | Measures Google Ads conversions. | 90 days |
_fbpnot yet in use | Meta Pixel (Meta Platforms, Inc.) | Measures Meta ad conversions. | 90 days |
_uetsid, _uetvidnot yet in use | Microsoft Advertising UET (Microsoft Corporation) | Measures Microsoft Advertising conversions. | 1 day (_uetsid), 13 months (_uetvid) |
Changes to this page
When we add a cookie or a provider, we update this list and, if the change affects a choice you already made, show the banner again so you can decide afresh. Questions go to support@govspotlight.com.