About this policy
This policy explains how the Apex SEO Cookie Consent banner (the cookie banner that ships with the Apex SEO WordPress plugin) uses cookies and similar technologies. It applies to any website running the Apex SEO plugin with the consent banner enabled.
The website operator may have their own additional privacy or cookie policy that supplements this one. If anything in this document conflicts with the site operator's own policy, treat their policy as authoritative.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file stored in your browser when you visit a website. Cookies allow a site to remember things like your preferences or whether you're signed in. Some cookies are strictly necessary for the site to work; others are optional and only set if you give consent.
Cookies set by Apex SEO
By itself, the Apex SEO Cookie Consent banner sets only one cookie — the one that remembers your consent choice so you aren't asked again on every page.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Category | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
eca_cookie_consent | First-party (this website) | Stores your cookie preferences so we don't ask again | Essential | 1 year (re-prompted after 180 days) |
Other browser storage we use
In addition to the cookie above, the consent banner stores a single value in your browser's sessionStorage:
eca_vh— a randomly generated, anonymous visitor identifier. It is created locally in your browser, contains no personal data, and is cleared automatically when you close the browser tab. It is only used to attach an anonymous reference to a consent log entry (see "Consent logging" below).
Cookie categories
When the banner is shown you can accept or reject the following categories. Essential cookies are always on because the site cannot function without them. The other categories are optional and off by default.
| Category | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Essential | Strictly necessary for the website to function. Enables core features like security, page navigation, and access to secure areas. The website cannot work properly without these. |
| Functional | Lets the website remember choices you make (such as your language or region) and provide enhanced, personalised features. |
| Analytics | Helps the site operator understand how visitors interact with the website by collecting and reporting information anonymously, so they can improve the site. |
| Marketing | Used to track visitors across websites in order to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user. |
Third-party cookies
If the site operator has enabled scripts under the Functional, Analytics or Marketing categories — for example Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, or other third-party tools — those scripts will set their own cookies on your device, but only after you opt in to that category.
Apex SEO does not control these third-party cookies. For details on what those providers collect and how they use it, please refer to their own cookie and privacy policies.
Consent logging
If the site operator has enabled consent logging, an anonymized record of each consent decision is stored on the WordPress site for compliance purposes. A consent log entry contains:
- The categories you accepted or rejected
- The action you took (Accept All, Reject All, or Save Preferences)
- The version of the cookie policy in force at that time
- An anonymous random visitor hash (the
eca_vhvalue above)
We do not store your IP address, name, email, or any other personally identifying information as part of the consent log.
Managing your preferences
You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the Cookie Settings button (typically shown in the bottom corner of the page after you've made your first choice). Re-opening the banner lets you switch any optional category on or off.
You can also clear cookies directly through your browser settings, which will cause the banner to reappear on your next visit.
Your rights under UK GDPR
If you are in the UK or EU, data-protection law gives you the following rights in relation to any personal data a website holds about you:
- The right to access your data
- The right to have inaccurate data corrected
- The right to have your data erased
- The right to object to processing
- The right to restrict processing
- The right to data portability
To exercise any of these rights, contact the operator of the website you are visiting — they are the data controller for that site.
Contact
Questions about this cookie policy as it relates to a specific site should be directed to the operator of that website. Questions about the Apex SEO plugin itself can be sent via app.apex-seo.io.