Cookie Policy

Effective Date: March 23, 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how our website uses cookies, local storage, and similar tracking technologies when you visit and play our free online solitaire games. This policy should be read alongside our [Privacy Policy], which explains how we protect your personal information.

By continuing to use our website, you consent to the use of cookies and tracking technologies as described in this policy.

1. What Are Cookies and Local Storage?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or tablet when you visit a website. They are widely used by website owners to make their websites work securely, function more efficiently, and provide reporting information.

HTML5 Local Storage (often referred to simply as "Local Storage") is a similar technology. Instead of sending data back and forth to our servers like a traditional cookie, Local Storage saves data directly on your device's browser. We rely heavily on Local Storage to make sure your games run fast and smoothly.

2. Why We Use These Technologies

Because we do not require users to create accounts or log in, we use cookies and Local Storage to provide a seamless gaming experience and to keep our website 100% free through advertising.

We use these technologies to:

• Save your active game progress so you don't lose your match if you accidentally refresh the page.

• Remember your custom game settings (like card back designs, background colors, and audio preferences).

• Track your high scores, win/loss records, and fastest times.

• Understand how users interact with our site (analytics) so we can improve the games.

• Serve relevant, personalized advertisements to fund the website.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

We use both first-party (set by us) and third-party (set by our partners) cookies, which fall into the following categories:

A. Strictly Necessary & Functional (First-Party)

These are essential for the website to function properly and for you to play the games.

• Game Saves (Local Storage): We use Local Storage to remember where you left off in a game of Classic Solitaire, Spider, or FreeCell.

• Preferences: We store your settings (e.g., left-handed mode, sound toggle, visual themes).

• Note: If you clear your browser's cache and cookies, your saved games and high scores will be permanently deleted.

B. Performance and Analytics (Third-Party)

These cookies collect anonymous information about how visitors use our site. They help us know which games are the most popular, identify technical glitches, and monitor website speed.

• Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to monitor site traffic. This data is aggregated and does not personally identify you.

C. Advertising and Targeting (Third-Party)

To keep our solitaire games completely free of charge, we display advertisements. Our advertising partners use cookies to serve ads that are relevant to your interests based on your browsing history across the internet.

• Google AdSense / Ad Networks: These partners use tracking cookies to cap how many times you see the same ad, deliver targeted advertisements, and measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns.

• These third parties may collect your IP address, browser type, and interaction data.

4. Third-Party Cookies

Please note that we do not have control over the cookies placed by third-party advertisers or analytics providers. These companies have their own privacy and cookie policies. We encourage you to review them, particularly the Google Privacy & Terms page, which explains how Google uses data from partner sites.

5. How to Manage or Delete Cookies

You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. You can exercise your cookie rights by setting your preferences in your web browser or through industry opt-out tools.

• Browser Settings: You can modify your web browser controls to accept or refuse cookies. If you choose to reject cookies, you may still use our website, but your ability to save your game progress and high scores will be disabled. To learn how to manage cookies on popular browsers, visit their respective help pages (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge).

• Ad Personalization Opt-Out: You can opt out of targeted advertising served by Google by visiting Google Ad Settings.

• Industry Opt-Out Tools: You can also opt out of many third-party ad networks globally by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) or the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA).

• Cookie Consent Banner: Depending on your geographic location (such as the EU/UK under GDPR, or California under CCPA), you will see a cookie consent banner when you first visit our site. You can use this banner to customize your cookie preferences.

6. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time in order to reflect changes to the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Please revisit this page regularly to stay informed about our use of cookies and related technologies.

7. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about our use of cookies, please contact us at support[at]bestfreesolitaire.com