Cookie Policy

Last Updated: April 15, 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how Hedge Scout LLC ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on our website www.hedgescout.com ("Website"). We use essential cookies that are strictly necessary for the Website's core functionality — including payment processing, subscriber authentication, and session management — which do not require consent under applicable data protection regulations. We also use Google Analytics for website analytics, which requires your active consent. This policy explains what cookies we use, why, and how you can manage them.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function efficiently, remember your preferences, and provide site owners with information about how the site is used.

Types of Cookies We Use

Necessary cookies are essential for the operation of our Website. They enable core functionality including subscriber login, gated content access, and payment processing. These cookies are set automatically when you access our Website and cannot be disabled without affecting your ability to use key features.

ghost-members-ssr — Ghost Foundation — Manages subscriber authentication and access to gated Research Products — Session — Necessary

ghost-members-swr — Ghost Foundation — Supports server-side rendering of member-specific content — Session — Necessary

__stripe_mid — Stripe, Inc. — Payment processing and fraud prevention — 1 year — Necessary

__stripe_sid — Stripe, Inc. — Active payment session management — 1 hour — Necessary

Stripe device fingerprint cookie — Stripe, Inc. — Device identification for fraud prevention, set via mm.stripe.com — 1 year — Necessary

Square payment cookies — Block, Inc. d/b/a Square — Payment processing and fraud prevention; set only when Square is active as the backup payment processor — Session — Necessary

For more information on how Stripe handles cookies, see Stripe's Privacy Policy. For Square, see Square's Privacy Policy. For Ghost, see Ghost's Privacy Policy.

We use Google Analytics (GA4) to collect information about how visitors interact with our Website. Google Analytics is loaded only after you provide explicit consent via our cookie consent banner. If you decline analytics cookies, Google Analytics will not be loaded and no analytics data will be collected from your session.

_ga — Google Analytics (Google LLC) — Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated identifier — 2 years — Analytics

ga[Measurement ID] — Google Analytics (Google LLC) — Persists session state and user engagement data specific to our GA4 property — 2 years — Analytics

_gid — Google Analytics (Google LLC) — Distinguishes unique users; expires after 24 hours — 24 hours — Analytics

What Google Analytics Collects

  • Page views and session duration
  • Device type and browser information
  • Referral source (how you arrived at our Website)
  • Geographic location (country and region level only)
  • User interactions and engagement metrics

How We Use Analytics Data

  • Analyze traffic patterns and user behavior
  • Identify which pages and features are most valuable to visitors
  • Measure the effectiveness of marketing and content efforts
  • Improve Website content, structure, and user experience

Google's Data Processing

Google Analytics is governed by Google's Terms of Service and privacy policies available at https://policies.google.com/privacy. Google LLC processes analytics data as a data processor under our instructions. Data may be transferred to and processed in the United States under Standard Contractual Clauses. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking at any time by:

  • Using the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on
  • Clearing analytics cookies from your browser settings
  • Withdrawing your cookie consent at any time using the Cookie Preferences link in our website footer

Email Tracking

We use tracking pixels in our email communications to monitor opens and link clicks. This technology is separate from website cookies and is described in full in our Privacy Policy. To opt out of email tracking, contact us at info@hedgescout.com.

When you visit our Website for the first time, a cookie consent banner will appear. You may:

  • Click "Accept All" to consent to both essential and analytics cookies
  • Click "Essential Only" to use only strictly necessary cookies without analytics tracking

Both options are equally available. We do not use design techniques that favor one choice over the other.

You can withdraw or update your analytics cookie consent at any time by clicking the Cookie Preferences link in the footer of our Website. Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before your withdrawal.

You may also manage cookies directly through your browser settings. For guidance on managing cookies in your specific browser, visit www.allaboutcookies.org. Note that disabling necessary cookies will prevent subscriber login, content access, and payment processing from functioning correctly.

Third-Party Cookies

We do not set third-party cookies for advertising or tracking purposes. The only third-party cookies on our Website are:

  • Ghost Foundation — subscriber session and authentication cookies (necessary)
  • Stripe, Inc. — payment processing and fraud prevention cookies (necessary)
  • Block, Inc. d/b/a Square — backup payment processing cookies, set only when Square is the active processor (necessary)
  • Google LLC (Google Analytics) — website analytics cookies (set only with your consent)

We are not responsible for the privacy or cookie practices of these third parties when acting as independent data controllers. Please review their respective privacy policies for further information.

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable legal requirements. Material updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact Us

For questions or concerns about our use of cookies, please contact:

Hedge Scout, LLC
info@hedgescout.com
www.hedgescout.com