What Cookies Actually Do

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit websites. Think of them as little notepads that remember things between visits. Some remember your login, others track which pages you viewed.

We use cookies to understand how people interact with our financial research content. For instance, if you're reading about quantitative analysis methods, cookies help us see whether that content is useful or if we need to improve it.

Types of Cookies We Use

How We Use Tracking Data

Here's what happens with the information cookies collect. When you browse our financial research courses, we see which topics generate interest. If everyone skips the section on factor analysis but spends ages on portfolio theory, that tells us something important.

We also use cookies to test different approaches. Maybe we're trying two different ways of explaining statistical significance. Cookies help us measure which explanation actually helps people understand the concept.

And honestly? Some of this is about making sure our site doesn't break. If there's an error page that people keep hitting, cookies help us identify and fix it quickly.

Third-Party Cookies

We work with external services that set their own cookies. Our analytics provider tracks site usage patterns. If we embed a video tutorial, that video platform might set cookies too.

These third parties have their own privacy policies. We choose partners carefully, but we can't control their practices. Most are standard tools used across educational websites — nothing unusual or sketchy.

• Google Analytics for understanding visitor behavior and content performance
• Video hosting platforms when we embed educational content
• Email service providers if you subscribe to our research updates

Managing Your Browser Settings

Your browser gives you control over cookies. Most browsers let you block all cookies, accept only certain types, or delete existing ones. The settings are usually under Privacy or Security options.

Here's the thing though — blocking all cookies will probably break parts of our site. You might not be able to log in, access course materials, or save your progress. We'd recommend blocking third-party cookies while allowing first-party ones.

Each browser handles this differently. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have their own cookie management interfaces. A quick search for "manage cookies in [your browser name]" will get you detailed instructions.

Data Retention Periods

Different cookies stick around for different lengths of time. Session cookies disappear when you close your browser. Others might last a few weeks or even a year.

We periodically review stored cookies and delete what we no longer need. There's no reason to keep data forever if it's not serving a purpose.

Updates to This Policy

We'll update this policy if our cookie practices change significantly. Maybe we add a new analytics tool or drop one that wasn't useful. When we make meaningful changes, we'll update the effective date at the top of this page.

We won't dramatically change how we use cookies without letting you know. But minor technical updates might happen without individual notification — things like adjusting retention periods by a few days or switching between similar analytics providers.