1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. They are widely used to make websites work, work more efficiently, and to provide information to the site owner. We also use browser localStorage (similar in function to cookies) to store your cookie consent preference.
2. Cookies we use
Essential cookies — always active
These cookies are necessary for the website to function. You cannot opt out of them without breaking core features such as signing in.
| Cookie name | Set by | Purpose | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
sb-[project-ref]-auth-token | Supabase | Stores your authentication session so you remain signed in between page loads. | Session / up to 1 week (auto-refreshed) |
sb-[project-ref]-auth-token-code-verifier | Supabase | PKCE code verifier used during OAuth sign-in flows to prevent CSRF attacks. | Session |
cst_subscriber | CS Interview Coach | Set only if you give your email address to the Civil Service Jobs Tracker. Lets us recognise you on your return and show your saved vacancies and searches. Signed and server-only — scripts in your browser cannot read it. | 1 year |
Note: The exact Supabase cookie names include your project reference. You can inspect them in your browser's developer tools under Application → Cookies.
Consent record — localStorage
| Key | Set by | Purpose | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
cs_cookie_consent | CS Interview Coach | Records your cookie consent choice (accepted/rejected analytics) and the date you made it. Used to avoid showing the consent banner on every visit and to re-prompt after 6 months. | 6 months, then you will be re-prompted |
Analytics and advertising cookies — optional (requires your consent)
We use these cookies to understand how people use the service so we can improve it, and to let the advertising platforms we buy ads on measure which of those ads lead to sign-ups. They are only set after you choose “Accept all”, or switch this category on under “Manage preferences”.
| Cookie name | Set by | Purpose | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
_gcl_au, _ga | Google (Google Ads) | Measures which ad clicks lead to a sign-up, and how the service is used. | Up to 2 years |
_rdt_uuid | Reddit (Reddit Ads pixel) | Identifies a browser across visits so Reddit can attribute a sign-up to an ad click. | Up to 90 days |
rdt_cid (localStorage) | CS Interview Coach | Stores the Reddit ad click ID from the link you arrived on, so a sign-up completed later can still be attributed to that click. Written only after you accept advertising cookies. | Ignored after 28 days; removed when you clear your browser storage |
cs_attr (localStorage) | CS Interview Coach | Remembers the campaign link, first page and referring website you arrived from, so a sign-up on a later visit is still credited to it. Stays with us and is never sent to advertisers. Written only after you accept. | Ignored after 28 days; removed when you clear your browser storage |
Sign-up and purchase reports to Reddit — sent unless you say no
When you create an account or buy a plan, our server tells Reddit, so it can match the sign-up or purchase to an ad click. This is not a cookie, and nothing is stored on your device for it. The report contains a one-way hashed (irreversible) version of your email address and your account ID, your IP address and browser user agent in readable form, and the Reddit ad click ID if you arrived from a Reddit ad. Your email address is only ever sent hashed, and we do not send it to any other advertising platform.
We send this report unless you have chosen “Reject non-essential”, or switched analytics and advertising off under “Manage preferences”. If you say no after creating your account, we stop from then on.
3. Managing your cookie preferences
Using our consent banner
When you first visit CS Interview Coach, a cookie banner appears at the bottom of the page. You can:
- Accept all — allow essential, analytics and advertising cookies.
- Reject non-essential — allow essential cookies only. Analytics and advertising cookies are blocked, and no data is sent to Google or Reddit.
- Manage preferences — open the detailed view and switch analytics and advertising on or off.
Your choice is stored in your browser's localStorage. After 6 months we will ask again.
Withdrawing consent
You can change your mind at any time, and it is no harder than saying yes was. Use the link in the footer of any page, or the button below, to reopen this choice and switch analytics and advertising off.
Turning advertising off stops any further data being shared. Cookies already set by Google or Reddit are removed through your browser settings, described below.
Browser settings
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies. Be aware that blocking essential cookies will prevent you from signing in to the service. For guidance on managing cookies in your browser:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data
4. Third-party cookies
Stripe, our payment processor, may set cookies on checkout pages to detect fraud and improve payment reliability. These are governed by Stripe's own cookie policy (stripe.com/cookie-settings).
With your consent, we load advertising measurement pixels from Google (Google Ads) and Reddit (Reddit Ads). These are governed by those providers' own privacy policies. They are not loaded at all unless you accept analytics and advertising cookies.
We do not embed social media plugins or serve third-party advertising on this site.
5. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when we add or remove cookies. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Significant changes will be notified via the consent banner.
6. Contact
Questions about how we use cookies? Email customerservice@csinterviewcoach.com.