Cookie Policy
Effective Date: January 15, 2026 · Last Updated: November 10, 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how Main Street Stack uses cookies, local storage, and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website, and how you can accept, reject, or customize non-essential cookies at any time. This policy works alongside our complete Privacy Policy.
Current status of measurement and advertising on this siteNo ads are displayed anywhere on Main Street Stack today. Two Google scripts do load on every page: the AdSense code, which Google requires in order to review the site for approval, and a Google Tag Manager container used for traffic measurement. Neither can be withheld until you answer the banner without breaking site verification, so instead both run under Google Consent Mode with analytics and advertising storage denied by default. In plain terms: the scripts are present, but they set no analytics or advertising cookies and build no profile of you until you accept. Accepting, rejecting or choosing “Do Not Sell or Share” updates them immediately. The behaviour described below applies once you accept.
1. What Are Cookies and Local Storage?
Cookies are small text files placed on your computer or mobile phone by websites you visit. Modern web browsers also support localStorage, which allows a site to remember settings (such as whether you dismissed our cookie consent banner) locally on your device without transmitting that data on every HTTP request.
2. Categories of Cookies Used on Main Street Stack
| Category & Key Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| mss_cookie_consent_v1 (Essential) | Main Street Stack (First-Party) | Stores your GDPR and CCPA/CPRA cookie consent choices so we do not prompt you on every page load. | 12 Months |
| _ga, _ga_* (Analytics) | Google Analytics 4 | Measures anonymous pageviews, reading duration, and scroll depth. Blocked unless Analytics consent is given. | Up to 13 Months |
| IDE, __gads, __gpi (Advertising) | Google AdSense / DoubleClick | Used after AdSense approval to serve relevant display ads, cap ad frequency, and combat click fraud. | Up to 13 Months |
| Affiliate Referral Attribution | Partner Software Vendors | Set only if you actively click a rel="sponsored" vendor link to credit our publication for the referral. | 30–90 Days (On Vendor Site) |
3. How to Opt Out or Change Your Cookie Preferences
You have three independent ways to control or block cookies on Main Street Stack:
- On-Site Consent Manager: You can click the button below (or the "Manage Cookie & CCPA Choices" link in the footer of any page) to reopen our consent banner and toggle Analytics or Advertising cookies off immediately.
- Industry Opt-Out Portals: To opt out of Google personalized advertising across the web, visit Google Ads Settings or the Digital Advertising Alliance portal at optout.aboutads.info.
- Browser-Level Blocking: Every modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave) lets you clear existing cookies and block third-party cookies in Settings > Privacy and Security.