Cookie Policy & Management | OnlineJyotish.com
📅 Last Updated: June 13, 2026 | ✅ GDPR & CCPA Compliant | 🍪 Transparent Cookie Usage Since 2004
This Cookie Policy explains how OnlineJyotish.com (operated by Om Sri Sai Jyotisha Vidyapeetham) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website. It describes what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control their use.
🔒 Important: Cookies Do NOT Store Your Birth Data
Consistent with our zero-data-storage policy, cookies on OnlineJyotish.com do NOT store your birth details, personal information, or astrological chart data. Cookies only remember simple site preferences (language, default city) and support analytics/advertising. Your birth information is always processed in real-time and deleted when you close the page.
Cookie Policy at a Glance
- 🍪 Types Used: Preference, Analytics, Advertising cookies
- 🚫 No Birth Data: Cookies don't store personal/birth information
- ✅ GDPR Compliant: Full consent and control options
- 🔄 Your Control: Easy opt-out and management options
- 📊 Analytics: Google Analytics for site improvement
- 📢 Advertising: Google AdSense for relevant ads
- ⚙️ Manageable: Through browser or our consent tool
📋 Table of Contents
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files (typically a few kilobytes in size) that are downloaded to your computer, smartphone, or tablet when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognize your device and remember certain information about your visit, such as your language preference or login status.
Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide analytical information to website owners, and improve user experience. They are a standard feature of almost all professional websites, including ours.
Common Cookie Terminology:
- First-party cookies: Set by the website you're visiting (OnlineJyotish.com)
- Third-party cookies: Set by external services (Google Analytics, AdSense)
- Session cookies: Temporary cookies deleted when you close your browser
- Persistent cookies: Remain on your device for a set period
- Essential cookies: Necessary for site functionality
- Non-essential cookies: Used for analytics, advertising, and preferences
2. Why We Use Cookies
OnlineJyotish.com uses cookies for several important purposes:
🎯 User Experience
Remember your preferences like language, default city, and chart style for a seamless experience across visits.
📊 Site Improvement
Understand how visitors use our site to improve content, navigation, and features through anonymous analytics.
📢 Relevant Advertising
Display relevant advertisements through Google AdSense and limit ad frequency to prevent repetition.
🔒 Security
Help protect our site from fraud and ensure safe browsing for all users.
3. Types of Cookies We Use
🎨 1. Preference Cookies (First-Party)
These cookies are essential for providing you with a personalized experience. They remember your preferences for how our site works.
What They Remember:
- 🌐 Your selected language (English, Hindi, Telugu, etc.)
- 🏙️ Your default city for Panchang calculations
- 📊 Chart style preferences (North Indian, South Indian)
- 🎨 Theme preferences (if applicable)
- 🔔 Cookie consent choices
💡 Why Keep Them: Without these cookies, you'd need to re-enter your preferences every visit. They significantly improve your experience and don't track personal information.
Duration: Typically 30 days to 1 year
Data Collected: Only preference settings (no personal or birth data)
📊 2. Analytics Cookies (Third-Party - Google Analytics)
We use Google Analytics, a leading web analytics service, to understand how visitors use our site. This helps us improve content and functionality.
What They Track (Anonymously):
- ⏱️ Time spent on the site and individual pages
- 📄 Pages visited and navigation patterns
- 🌍 Geographic region (country/state level, not precise location)
- 📱 Device type, browser, and operating system
- 🔗 Referring websites (how you found us)
- 📈 Aggregate traffic patterns and trends
🔒 Privacy Protection: Google Analytics data is anonymized. IP addresses are truncated, and no personal identifiers are linked to your astrological queries.
Duration: Up to 26 months (Google's default retention)
Opt-Out: Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on
Learn more: Google Analytics Cookie Information
📢 3. Advertising Cookies (Third-Party - Google AdSense)
We use Google AdSense to display advertisements. AdSense uses cookies (including DoubleClick) to serve relevant ads and limit ad repetition.
What They Do:
- 🎯 Serve ads relevant to your interests
- 🔄 Limit how often you see the same ad
- 📊 Measure ad effectiveness
- 🚫 Prevent click fraud
- 🌐 Show region-appropriate advertising
📌 Note: Advertising cookies are managed by Google, not by us. Ad content is determined by Google's algorithms based on browsing behavior, not by our editorial team.
Duration: Varies (typically 30 days to 2 years)
Opt-Out Options:
- Google Ad Settings - Personalize or disable ad personalization
- Digital Advertising Alliance - Opt out of interest-based advertising
- Your Online Choices (EU) - European ad preferences
Learn more: Google AdSense Privacy FAQ
4. Detailed Cookie List
Here's a detailed list of the main cookies used on our website:
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| lang | OnlineJyotish.com | Stores language preference | 1 year |
| city | OnlineJyotish.com | Remembers default city for Panchang | 1 year |
| cookie_consent | OnlineJyotish.com | Records cookie consent choices | 1 year |
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate | 1 minute |
| IDE / DSID | Google DoubleClick | Targeted advertising | 13 months |
| NID | Google preferences and security | 6 months | |
| __gads | Google AdSense | Ad serving and measurement | 13 months |
Note: This list is indicative. Cookies may be added, modified, or removed as our services evolve. For the most current information, refer to each provider's privacy policy.
5. Third-Party Cookies
In addition to our own cookies, we use trusted third-party services that may set their own cookies. These services help us provide analytics, advertising, and enhanced functionality.
Our Third-Party Partners:
- Google Analytics: Website usage statistics (Privacy Policy)
- Google AdSense: Display advertising (Ads Policy)
- Google DoubleClick: Ad management (Info)
We have no control over third-party cookies. We recommend reviewing their privacy policies to understand how they use cookies.
6. Cookie Duration & Retention
Cookies have different lifespans depending on their purpose:
⚡ Session Cookies
Temporary cookies deleted automatically when you close your browser. Used for basic functionality.
Duration: Until browser closes
💾 Short-Term Persistent
Remain on device for limited periods. Used for recent preferences and analytics.
Duration: 1-30 days
📅 Long-Term Persistent
Stay longer to remember user preferences across visits. Used for language and city settings.
Duration: 1-2 years
7. How to Manage Cookies
You have full control over cookies on our website. Here are the ways you can manage them:
🎛️ Cookie Management Options:
- Cookie Consent Banner: Adjust preferences when you first visit our site (EU/UK users)
- Browser Settings: Control cookies through your browser preferences
- Google Analytics Opt-Out: Install the browser add-on
- Google Ad Settings: Manage ad personalization at adssettings.google.com
- Private/Incognito Browsing: Use browser's private mode to prevent most cookies
- Cookie Clearing: Periodically clear cookies in your browser
⚠️ Important: Disabling essential cookies may affect site functionality. For example, you may need to re-select your language and city on every visit, and some features may not work properly.
8. Browser-Specific Cookie Controls
Each browser has its own method for managing cookies. Here are direct links to instructions:
🌐 Google Chrome
Manage cookies in Chrome
🦊 Firefox
Manage cookies in Firefox
🧭 Safari
Manage cookies in Safari
🌊 Microsoft Edge
Manage cookies in Edge
🔴 Opera
Manage cookies in Opera
🦁 Brave
Manage cookies in Brave
📱 Mobile Browsers:
- Chrome Mobile: Settings → Site Settings → Cookies
- Safari iOS: Settings → Safari → Privacy & Security
- Firefox Mobile: Settings → Data Management → Cookies
9. Cookie Consent & Your Rights
Your Cookie Rights Under GDPR (EU/UK):
- ✅ Right to Information: Clear disclosure about what cookies we use
- ✅ Right to Consent: Opt-in for non-essential cookies
- ✅ Right to Withdraw: Change your cookie preferences anytime
- ✅ Right to Object: Refuse non-essential cookies without loss of basic functionality
- ✅ Granular Choices: Accept some cookies while rejecting others
Your Cookie Rights Under CCPA (California):
- ✅ Right to Know: What cookies are used and what they track
- ✅ Right to Opt-Out: Of "sale" of personal information (we don't sell)
- ✅ Right to Non-Discrimination: Equal service regardless of cookie choices
Our Consent Practices:
- 🇪🇺 EU/UK Users: Cookie consent banner with granular options
- 🇺🇸 California Users: Clear "Do Not Sell" options
- 🌐 Other Regions: Transparent policy with opt-out options
- 🔄 Consent Updates: Ability to change preferences anytime
10. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:
- Changes in our cookie practices
- New features or services that use cookies
- Regulatory or legal requirements
- Updates to third-party services we use
When we make significant changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. For material changes affecting your privacy, we may also show a prominent notice on our homepage.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.
11. Contact Us
Questions About Cookies?
If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:
- 📧 Privacy Inquiries: admin@onlinejyotish.com
- 📧 General Contact: contact@onlinejyotish.com
- 📝 Contact Form: Contact Us Page
Related Policies:
- 🔒 Privacy Policy - Full data handling practices
- 📜 Terms of Usage - Service agreement
- 🔔 Disclaimer - Astrology service information
12. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What cookies does OnlineJyotish.com use?
A: We use three types of cookies: (1) Preference cookies (for language, city settings), (2) Analytics cookies (Google Analytics for site usage insights), and (3) Advertising cookies (Google AdSense for relevant ads).
Q: Do cookies store my birth details or personal information?
A: No. Consistent with our zero-data-storage policy, cookies NEVER store your birth details, personal information, or astrological chart data. They only remember simple preferences like language and default city. Your birth data is processed in real-time and deleted when you close the page.
Q: How do I disable cookies on OnlineJyotish.com?
A: You can disable cookies through: (1) Your browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), (2) Google Analytics opt-out add-on, (3) Google Ad Settings for ad personalization, or (4) Our cookie consent banner (EU/UK users). Note that disabling preference cookies may affect site functionality.
Q: Is your cookie policy GDPR compliant?
A: Yes. We comply with GDPR (EU), CCPA (California), and ePrivacy Directive. We provide clear information about cookies, obtain consent where required, and offer easy opt-out options. EU/UK visitors see our cookie consent banner for granular choices.
Q: Can I use the website if I reject all cookies?
A: Yes, you can still use most features. However, you may lose convenience features like remembered language/city preferences. Analytics and advertising will be limited, but core astrology tools will continue to work.
Q: Do you share cookie data with third parties?
A: Our own cookies are not shared. Third-party cookies (Google Analytics, AdSense) are managed by Google according to their privacy policies. We don't sell any cookie data to data brokers or marketers.
Q: How often should I clear cookies?
A: That's your personal choice. Clearing cookies periodically enhances privacy but removes saved preferences. Many users clear cookies every few months or use private/incognito browsing when concerned about tracking.
Q: Why are advertising cookies important?
A: Advertising cookies help keep our free services free. Advertising revenue allows us to provide Kundli, Panchang, Marriage Matching, and other tools at no cost. Personalized ads are also more relevant to your interests.
Q: Do you use tracking pixels or web beacons?
A: We may use Google Analytics tracking pixels for analytics purposes. These function similarly to cookies and are subject to the same opt-out options. We don't use invasive tracking technologies beyond industry-standard analytics and advertising services.
Q: What if I have privacy concerns beyond cookies?
A: Please review our comprehensive Privacy Policy, which covers all aspects of data handling. For specific concerns, email admin@onlinejyotish.com and our Privacy Officer will respond within 2-3 business days.
🍪 Transparent Cookie Practices
20+ years of trusted service | GDPR compliant | Full transparency | Your control | No birth data tracking
Clearly disclosed
Easy management
Cookies not sold
Fully compliant