1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, and pixels used for analytics or advertising.
2. How we use cookies and storage
Atlas Universities uses a minimal set of technologies:
| Name / type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
atlas:saved (local storage) | Stores IDs of universities you save for later review | Until you clear site data |
| URL query parameters | Encodes active filters when you share or bookmark a view | Session / bookmark lifetime |
| Essential session cookies | May be set by our hosting provider for security, load balancing, or CSRF protection | Session or short-term |
| Analytics (optional) | If enabled, privacy-oriented analytics (for example, Plausible or PostHog) may set cookies or use local identifiers to measure aggregate usage | Per vendor policy |
We do not use cookies to sell personal information or to build cross-site advertising profiles on the core Service as currently deployed.
3. Essential vs. non-essential
Strictly necessary: Technologies required for basic functionality (such as remembering saved institutions in local storage) are treated as essential to the experience you request.
Analytics: If we enable third-party analytics, those tools may use additional cookies. Where required by law, we will request consent before loading non-essential analytics scripts.
4. Managing cookies
You can control cookies and storage by:
- Using your browser settings to block or delete cookies and site data
- Clearing saved universities by removing local storage for this site
- Using private/incognito mode (saved data will not persist after the session)
- Opting out of analytics via browser “Do Not Track” or vendor opt-out pages where offered
Blocking essential storage may limit features such as Saved universities.
5. Third-party links
Institution profile links may open official university websites or federal data portals. Those sites have their own cookie policies, which we do not control.
6. Updates
We may update this Cookie Policy when our technology stack changes. Check the "Last updated" date above for the current version.
7. More information
For how we handle personal information more broadly, see our Privacy Policy.