Cookie Policy
Last updated: April 2026
We use cookies on hmoptimization.com to ensure the site works properly and to understand how visitors use it. This policy explains what cookies we set, their purpose, and how you can manage them.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember your preferences, keep it secure, and in our case, help us understand how visitors use it so we can improve it.
How we use cookies
When you first visited our site, you saw a consent banner. You can accept or decline non-essential cookies at any time. Essential cookies always run — they are required for the site to function. All other cookies only run if you have consented.
Our cookies
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | hmoptimization.com | Maintains your session across pages | Session | Necessary |
| _ga | Distinguishes unique visitors | 2 years | Analytics | |
| _ga_* | Registers a unique ID for analytics session | 2 years | Analytics | |
| _gid | Tracks user session | 24 hours | Analytics | |
| _gat | Throttles request rate to Google Analytics | 1 minute | Analytics | |
| _clck | Microsoft | Identifies unique user for Clarity session recording | 1 year | Analytics |
| _clsk | Microsoft | Connects multiple page views into one Clarity session | 1 day | Analytics |
| CLID | Microsoft | Identifies first-time Clarity users | 1 year | Analytics |
Bing Webmaster Tools site ownership verification uses a static meta tag or XML file and does not set cookies. No visitor tracking is performed by Bing Webmaster Tools itself.
Cookie categories
- Necessary — Always active. Required for site navigation, security, and basic functions. These cannot be turned off.
- Analytics — Only active if you consent. Used to measure page views, time on site, visitor behaviour, and usability patterns. All data is anonymised or pseudonymised.
Third-party cookies
- Google Analytics — Collects anonymised usage data to help us understand how the site is used. See Google’s cookie policy.
- Microsoft Clarity — Records mouse movements, clicks, and scroll behaviour to help us understand how visitors use the site. No personally identifiable information is captured. See Microsoft’s privacy policy.
Managing your cookies
- Use the consent banner or re-consent icon on our site to change your preferences at any time.
- Clear cookies via your browser settings. In Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Clear browsing data.
- Opt out of Google Analytics across all sites: Google Analytics opt-out tool.
- Opt out of Microsoft Clarity: Microsoft Clarity opt-out.
- You can browse our site without consenting to analytics cookies — the site will function normally.
Changes to this policy
We update this policy when the cookies we use change. The date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised. Continued use of the site after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
Contact
For broader information on how we handle your personal data, see our Privacy Policy.
Questions about cookies or this policy? Email us at klaus [at] hmoptimisation.com