Cookie Policy

Website: theworldtraveldiary.com
Brand: The World Travel Diary (TWTD)

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit our website. They help websites:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Understand how you use the website (analytics)
• Enable certain features and functionality
• Improve your browsing experience

Cookies are widely used and generally safe. They cannot:

• Access other information on your device
• Transmit viruses or malware
• Identify you personally (unless you have provided personal information separately)

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

These cookies are required for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled. They include:

• Session cookies — maintain your session as you navigate the website
• Security cookies — protect against fraud and malicious activity
• Load balancing cookies — ensure the website loads efficiently
• Consent cookies — remember your cookie consent preferences (via CookieYes)

Legal basis: These cookies are necessary for the website to provide services you have requested (e.g., loading pages, security). Consent is not required for essential cookies under most privacy laws.

2.2 Analytics Cookies

We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our website. This helps us:

• Identify popular content
• Understand user behavior and navigation patterns
• Improve website performance and user experience
• Measure the effectiveness of our content

Tools we use:

• Google Analytics 4 (GA4) — via MonsterInsights plugin
  • Collects: page views, time on page, referring website, device type, browser, approximate location (country/city level)
  • IP addresses are anonymised before storage
  • Data retention: 2-14 months (configurable)
  • Privacy mode: GA4 is configured to minimize personal data collection

Legal basis: We rely on your consent (via CookieYes banner) for analytics cookies in jurisdictions requiring consent (EU, UK, etc.). In other jurisdictions, we rely on legitimate interests to improve our website.

2.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies remember your choices and preferences to enhance your experience:

• Language preferences — if we offer multiple languages in the future
• Video player preferences — if you watch embedded videos (YouTube, Vimeo)
• Social media plugins — if you interact with social sharing buttons

Legal basis: We rely on your consent for functional cookies in jurisdictions requiring consent.

2.4 Advertising & Marketing Cookies

Currently, TWTD does NOT use:

• Retargeting or remarketing pixels (e.g., Meta Pixel, Google Ads remarketing)
• Third-party advertising cookies
• Behavioral advertising cookies

If we introduce advertising cookies in the future:

• We will update this Cookie Policy
• We will obtain your consent via CookieYes before activating such cookies
• You will be able to opt out at any time

2.5 Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are set by third parties, including:

• Google — Google Analytics, Google Fonts, YouTube (if embedded videos are used)
• CookieYes — cookie consent management
• Social media platforms — Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram (if you interact with social sharing buttons or embedded content)
• MailerLite — if you subscribe to emails, MailerLite may set cookies to track email engagement (opens, clicks)

These third parties have their own privacy policies and cookie policies. We encourage you to review them.

3. Cookie Consent Management (CookieYes)

We use CookieYes to manage cookie consent on our website. CookieYes:

• Displays a cookie consent banner when you first visit the website
• Allows you to accept or reject different categories of cookies
• Remembers your consent preferences for future visits
• Provides you with control over your cookie settings at any time

How to Manage Your Cookie Preferences

On your first visit:

• You will see a cookie consent banner at the bottom or top of the page
• You can accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customize your preferences
• Your choice will be saved for future visits

To change your preferences later:

• Click the cookie icon (usually in the bottom corner of the page)
• Adjust your settings in the CookieYes consent panel
• Save your preferences

To withdraw consent entirely:

• Reject all non-essential cookies in the CookieYes panel
• Note: Essential cookies will still be set (they are required for the website to function)

4. Specific Cookies Used on TWTD

Below is a list of cookies that may be set when you visit our website. This list may change as we update our tools and services.

4.1 CookieYes Cookies

4.2 Google Analytics Cookies

Note: GA4 uses a different cookie structure than Universal Analytics. The above are examples; actual cookies may vary.

4.3 WordPress Core Cookies

4.4 MailerLite Cookies (if you subscribe to emails)

4.5 Social Media Cookies

If you interact with social sharing buttons or embedded content, third-party cookies may be set by:

• Facebook (Meta)
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• Twitter/X
• YouTube
• Other such social media platforms from the buttons and links you interact with

These cookies are controlled by the respective platforms. See their privacy policies for details.

5. How to Control Cookies via Browser Settings

In addition to using CookieYes, you can control cookies through your browser settings:

Chrome

• Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
• Options: Allow all cookies, Block third-party cookies, Block all cookies

Firefox

• Options/Preferences → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Options: Accept cookies, Block third-party cookies, Block all cookies

Safari (Mac)

• Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
• Options: Always allow, Allow from current website only, Always block

Safari (iOS)

• Settings → Safari → Privacy & Security
• Options: Block All Cookies (toggle)

Edge

• Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies
• Options: Allow all, Block third-party, Block all

Note: Blocking all cookies may affect website functionality (e.g., you may not be able to log in, save preferences, or use certain features).

6. Do Not Track (DNT) Signals

Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that signals websites not to track your browsing.

Currently, TWTD does not automatically respond to DNT signals because:

• There is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT
• Some of our tools (e.g., Google Analytics) may still collect data even if DNT is enabled

However, we respect your privacy and provide cookie consent controls via CookieYes. If you do not want analytics tracking, please reject analytics cookies in the CookieYes panel.

7. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

• Changes in our cookie usage
• New tools or services we adopt
• Changes in legal requirements
• Improvements to our consent management

When we update this policy, we will post the revised policy on this page. We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:

Email: privacy@theworldtraveldiary.com
General inquiries: hello@theworldtraveldiary.com

9. More Information About Cookies

For more information about cookies, including how to manage and delete them, visit:

• AllAboutCookies: allaboutcookies.org
• Your Online Choices (UK): youronlinechoices.com
• Network Advertising Initiative (US): networkadvertising.org
• European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance: youronlinechoices.eu

This Cookie Policy was last updated in September 2026.