Cookie Policy

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit them. These cookie files are commonly used by URL shorteners, link management platforms, and web analytics services to:

• Tracking cookies: Monitor user behavior across websites and shortened links
• Analytics cookies: Collect data about link clicks, user engagement, and click-through rates
• Advertising cookies: Serve targeted ads based on browsing history
• Third-party cookies: Allow external services to track users across multiple URL shortening platforms
• Session cookies: Maintain user sessions and login states
• Preference cookies: Remember user settings and customization options
• Performance cookies: Monitor website performance and load times

While many free URL shorteners and link shortening tools rely heavily on cookie technology for tracking and analytics, we've chosen a different path - a completely cookie-free approach to link shortening.

Our Cookie-Free Approach to URL Shortening

As a privacy-focused URL shortener and cookie-free link management service, we have made a conscious decision to operate without cookies. Here's what this means for our link shortening platform:

❌ We Do NOT Use:

• Browser cookies of any kind on our URL shortener platform
• HTTP cookies for tracking shortened URL clicks or link analytics
• Tracking cookies to monitor user behavior across our link shortening service
• Third-party cookies from advertising networks, social media platforms, or analytics providers
• Analytics cookies from services like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or other tracking tools
• Marketing cookies for retargeting or advertising purposes
• Social media cookies from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn
• Advertising cookies for displaying targeted ads based on link shortening activity
• Cross-site tracking cookies that follow users across different websites
• Persistent cookies that remain on your device after closing the browser

✅ How We Provide URL Shortening Without Cookies:

• Server-side processing: All link shortening and URL redirection happens on our servers without cookie storage
• Cookie-free analytics: We collect basic click statistics without using cookie-based tracking
• Privacy-first design: Our URL shortener is built from the ground up without cookie dependencies
• Local storage alternatives: When necessary, we use privacy-respecting browser storage that isn't shared with third parties
• No consent required: Since we don't use cookies, you don't need to accept cookie banners or consent forms

Why Choose a Cookie-Free URL Shortener?

Using a cookie-free link shortening service like Shorten URL offers numerous privacy and security benefits compared to traditional URL shorteners that rely on cookie tracking:

• Enhanced privacy: No cookie-based tracking means your link shortening activity isn't monitored or shared
• No tracking footprint: We don't create a cookie trail of your shortened URLs or click patterns
• GDPR compliant: Our cookie-free approach simplifies compliance with European cookie laws and privacy regulations
• CCPA friendly: California residents enjoy cookie-free URL shortening without data sale concerns
• Faster performance: Without cookie processing, our link shortener loads faster and redirects quicker
• No consent fatigue: Skip annoying cookie consent popups and banners common on other URL shortening platforms
• Browser compatibility: Works perfectly even with cookie blockers, privacy extensions, and strict browser settings
• Ad blocker friendly: Our cookie-free service isn't affected by ad blockers that target cookie-based tracking
• Cross-device privacy: Use our URL shortener on any device without cookie synchronization or tracking

Cookie-Free Link Analytics

Many users wonder: "How can a URL shortener provide click analytics without cookies?" We've developed a privacy-respecting analytics system that doesn't rely on cookie tracking:

• Server-side analytics: Click data for shortened links is processed on our servers without cookies
• Aggregated statistics: We provide click counts, geographic data, and referrer information without individual cookie tracking
• Privacy-preserving metrics: Analytics are collected using cookieless technology and privacy-first methods
• No user profiling: Without cookies, we don't build user profiles or track behavior across shortened URLs
• Anonymous click tracking: Link performance metrics don't require cookie-based user identification

Browser Storage (Not Cookies)

While we don't use cookies, our URL shortening service may use limited browser storage technologies for essential functionality. It's important to understand the difference between cookies and these cookie-free alternatives:

Local Storage (Cookie-Free)

For logged-in users of our link shortener, we may use browser Local Storage to:

• Store authentication tokens (without cookie tracking)
• Remember user preferences for the URL shortener interface
• Cache recently created shortened links for quick access
• Maintain session state without traditional session cookies

Important: Unlike cookies, Local Storage data is never sent to our servers automatically and isn't used for cross-site tracking or advertising. This cookie-free storage method provides better privacy than traditional cookie-based systems used by other link shortening platforms.

Third-Party Services (Also Cookie-Free)

Most URL shorteners embed numerous third-party services that set tracking cookies and analytics cookies. At Shorten URL, we take a different approach:

• No Google Analytics cookies: We don't use GA4, Universal Analytics, or any Google cookie tracking
• No Facebook Pixel cookies: Your link shortening activity isn't tracked by Meta's advertising cookies
• No advertising network cookies: We don't embed ad platforms that drop tracking cookies
• No social media cookies: No embedded social sharing widgets that set third-party cookies
• No CDN cookies: Our content delivery doesn't use cookie-based tracking
• No marketing automation cookies: We don't use platforms like HubSpot, Marketo, or similar cookie-heavy tools

This makes us one of the few truly cookie-free URL shorteners available, offering genuine privacy-focused link shortening without hidden third-party cookie tracking.

Cookie Laws and Compliance

Our cookie-free URL shortener automatically complies with major privacy regulations without requiring complex cookie consent mechanisms:

GDPR (EU Cookie Law)

The General Data Protection Regulation and ePrivacy Directive (EU Cookie Law) require websites to obtain consent before setting non-essential cookies. As a cookie-free link shortening service, we:

• Don't need cookie consent banners or cookie walls
• Automatically comply with EU cookie regulations
• Provide GDPR-compliant URL shortening without cookie complications
• Respect "Do Not Track" preferences naturally through our cookie-free design

CCPA (California Cookie Privacy)

The California Consumer Privacy Act addresses cookie-based data collection and sale. Our cookie-free approach means:

• No cookie-based personal information sale
• No opt-out requirements for cookie tracking
• Simplified privacy compliance for California users
• Transparent cookie-free URL shortening practices

Other Privacy Regulations

Our cookie-free URL shortener also complies with:

• UK PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations) - no cookie consent needed
• PIPEDA (Canada) - cookie-free link shortening respects Canadian privacy standards
• LGPD (Brazil) - our no-cookie policy aligns with Brazilian data protection laws
• POPIA (South Africa) - cookie-free operation ensures compliance

Managing Your Browser Settings

Even though our URL shortener doesn't use cookies, you may want to manage cookie settings in your browser for other websites. Here's how to control cookies in popular browsers:

Blocking All Cookies

Good news! Our cookie-free link shortening service works perfectly even if you block all cookies in:

• Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and site data → Block all cookies
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Enhanced Tracking Protection → Strict (blocks cookies)
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Block all cookies (URL shortener still works)
• Microsoft Edge: Settings → Privacy → Cookies → Block all cookies
• Brave Browser: Shields automatically block cookies (perfect for cookie-free URL shortening)

Cookie Blocker Extensions

Our cookie-free URL shortener works seamlessly with all cookie blocking extensions and privacy tools:

• Privacy Badger - blocks third-party tracking cookies
• uBlock Origin - prevents cookie-based advertising
• Ghostery - blocks analytics and advertising cookies
• Cookie AutoDelete - removes cookies automatically
• DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials - blocks cookie trackers

Cookie-Free URL Shortening FAQs

Do you really not use any cookies?

Absolutely! Shorten URL is a genuinely cookie-free URL shortener. We don't use cookies, tracking pixels, web beacons, or any other cookie-based technology. This makes us one of the most privacy-focused link shortening services available.

How do you track clicks without cookies?

We use server-side analytics that don't require cookies. When someone clicks a shortened link, our servers record basic information (click time, country, referrer) without setting any tracking cookies or creating user profiles.

Can I use your URL shortener with cookies disabled?

Yes! Since we're a cookie-free link shortening platform, our service works perfectly whether cookies are enabled or disabled in your browser. You can block all cookies and still create, manage, and track shortened URLs.

Will you ever add cookies in the future?

We're committed to remaining a cookie-free URL shortener. Our privacy-first approach is a core value, not a temporary feature. If we ever needed to reconsider this policy, we would notify users well in advance and update this cookie policy.

Are there other URL shorteners without cookies?

Very few! Most popular URL shortening services use extensive cookie tracking for analytics, advertising, and user profiling. Shorten URL is among the rare truly cookie-free link shorteners prioritizing user privacy.

Updates to This Cookie Policy

While we don't anticipate changes (since we don't use cookies!), we may update this cookie-free policy to:

• Clarify our cookie-free approach to URL shortening
• Reflect changes in privacy laws and cookie regulations
• Provide additional information about cookieless analytics and tracking alternatives
• Update browser storage information for our link shortening platform

Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. We'll notify registered users of significant changes to our cookie-free commitment.