Cookie Policy

How we use cookies and similar technologies

Last Updated: October 6, 2026

Trial Usage and Purchase Records

To provide the weekly guest allowance, we use a first-party trial cookie and a server-secret hash of the network address. This trial system does not store raw IP addresses or build a device fingerprint. The usage record counts uses per week and refills every Monday at 00:00 UTC. A shared network may share the anonymous allowance; signing in provides a separate account allowance.

We retain weekly account usage and payment identifiers, amount, currency, purchase date, and Pro entitlement status to restore purchases and prevent repeat trials. Stripe processes payment details; YouTool does not store card numbers. Contact us about access or deletion requests.

We also retain a limited server-side Stripe Checkout Session record with its YouTool purchase surface, offer type, amount, currency, and open, paid, or expired status for checkout reliability and aggregate conversion reporting. It does not contain card details or Stripe form entries, is normally retained for up to 180 days, and is not controlled by the optional analytics-cookie setting.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better experience by remembering your preferences and analyzing how you use our service. Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, Supabase authentication storage, and Chrome extension storage.

How We Use Cookies

YouTool.io uses cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Essential Functionality: To provide core features and maintain your session
  • Authentication: To keep you signed in to your YouTool.io account and complete extension connection flows
  • Analytics: To understand how users interact with our tools
  • Preferences: To remember your settings and search history
  • Performance: To optimize loading times and user experience

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

Required

These cookies and browser storage entries are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable basic features like page navigation, security, account sign-in, and extension connection flows.

Purpose: Session management, account authentication, security, basic functionality
Duration: Session storage lasts for the browser session. Persistent authentication lasts until sign-out, expiration, revocation, or removal. The essential yt_trial cookie requests a maximum age of 10 years; browsers may shorten this. It enforces a non-resetting trial and is HttpOnly, so this page cannot remove it with JavaScript
Can be disabled: Not through this control; browser storage blocking may prevent sign-in or trials from working

Analytics Cookies

Optional

Optional Google Analytics and Vercel measurement scripts help us understand page use and performance. They load only after you enable analytics. Measurements can include device, network, page-category, and session information; we do not describe all of this as anonymous.

Purpose: Google Analytics, Vercel Analytics, and Vercel Speed Insights
Duration: Up to 2 years
Can be disabled: Yes - through Cookie Preferences on this page, and through browser settings or blockers

Preference Cookies

Optional

These cookies remember your preferences and settings to provide a personalized experience across visits.

Purpose: Search history, tool preferences, UI settings
Duration: Persistent until manually cleared
Can be disabled: Through tool controls and browser storage settings; the analytics toggle does not control these entries

Local Storage Usage

In addition to cookies, we use browser local storage for:

  • Search History: Your recent searches for convenience
  • Tool Preferences: Settings and filters you've applied
  • Account and Auth Flow State: Temporary sign-in redirects, Supabase session state, and extension connection return paths
  • Session Data: Temporary data during your visit
  • Cache: Temporary storage to improve performance

Chrome Extension Storage

The YouTool.io Chrome extension uses Chrome storage, which is separate from website cookies, to remember extension settings and speed up the popup experience.

  • Feature Settings: Enabled tools, hide controls, playback settings, and theme choices
  • Extension Auth State: Tokens used to keep the extension linked to your YouTool.io account
  • Stats Preferences: Selected 1D, 7D, or 30D stats range
  • Daily Stats Cache: Connected-channel stats cached locally once per day for faster loading

Third-Party Cookies

External services have their own storage and privacy practices. Not every service listed here sets a cookie on YouTool.io:

  • Supabase: Website sign-in state is persisted in local storage; authentication redirects may use additional provider-side storage
  • Google OAuth: For Google sign-in and YouTube channel authorization
  • Google Analytics: For website analytics and usage tracking
  • Vercel: Optional analytics and performance measurement. Hosting/security request processing is required to deliver the website
  • Stripe: Hosted Checkout may use cookies and similar technology for payment and fraud prevention under Stripe’s policies
  • Selected embeds: Third-party players, maps, and other embeds in Link-in-Bio can use provider-side cookies. Loading those is separate from YouTool’s optional analytics choice
  • YouTube API and YouTube Analytics API: For accessing video, channel, and connected-channel analytics data when requested or authorized

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

The banner lets you enable optional analytics or keep it off. Your choice and its date are saved in local storage. Changing it reloads the page so the selected scripts start or stop. Tool settings, saved history, authentication, essential trial records, and third-party embeds are separate from the analytics choice.

Browser Settings

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

  • Block All Cookies: Prevent all cookies from being stored
  • Delete Cookies: Remove existing cookies from your device
  • Third-Party Cookies: Block cookies from external domains
  • Session Cookies: Only allow temporary cookies

Clear YouTool.io Data

Cookie Consent

You can withdraw analytics consent with Cookie Preferences above. Turning analytics off removes readable Google Analytics cookies where possible and local analytics counters; it does not delete measurements already received by providers. You can also clear YouTool.io site data in your browser. Browser settings, privacy extensions, and analytics blockers may also limit analytics, third-party cookies, or local storage.

Impact of Disabling Cookies

Disabling certain cookies may affect your experience:

  • Essential Cookies: Site may not function properly
  • Analytics Cookies: We can't improve the service based on usage data
  • Preference Cookies: Settings won't be remembered between visits

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, law, or our practices. We will post any updates on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date.

Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy:

We use cookies to improve your experience

We use cookies and similar technologies to provide essential functionality and analyze usage. You can manage your preferences anytime. See our Cookie Policy for details.