Cookie Policy
Last updated: July 20, 2026
1. What Cookies Are
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device to remember information about your visit. They're used for things like keeping you signed in, understanding which pages are popular, and making the site work the way you expect on return visits. This policy explains the cookies and similar storage technologies (such as browser localStorage) that we use on buildlean.dev.
This page is a companion to our Privacy Policy. If anything here conflicts with the Privacy Policy, the Privacy Policy controls.
2. How We Use Cookies on Build Lean
When you first visit buildlean.dev, you'll see a cookie consent banner at the bottom of the page. Clicking Accept records your choice in your browser's localStorage so the banner doesn't reappear on every page load.
We use a small number of cookies and similar technologies for four purposes: keeping the site functional, measuring how visitors use the site so we can improve it, measuring the results of our advertising, and authenticating administrators who manage the blog.
3. Cookies We Use
The table below lists each cookie or storage entry we set, what it does, who sets it, and how long it sticks around.
| Name | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
cookie-consent-accepted | Records that you accepted the cookie banner so it doesn't reappear. Stored in localStorage, not technically a cookie. | Essential, first-party | Until you clear browser storage |
_ga, _ga_*, _gid | Google Analytics 4. Distinguishes unique visitors, measures page views, time on site, and conversion events so we can understand what content is useful. | Analytics, third-party (Google LLC) | _ga up to 2 years; _gid 24 hours; _ga_* up to 2 years |
bl_vid, bl_sid, bl_session_n | Our own first-party analytics. Random identifiers (not tied to your name or email) that let us count visits, returning visitors, and which pages are useful. Stored in localStorage and sessionStorage, not technically cookies. See "First-Party Analytics" below. | Analytics, first-party | bl_sid ends when you close the tab; the rest until you clear browser storage |
_gcl_au, _gcl_* | Google Ads conversion measurement. Helps Google attribute actions like booking a call to the ad that brought you here. | Advertising, third-party (Google LLC) | Typically 90 days |
__session | Authentication session for the blog admin (/studio). Set only after a successful admin login. HttpOnly, Secure, SameSite=Lax. | Essential, first-party | Session (cleared on logout or expiry) |
Regular visitors and customers will only encounter the consent entry and Google Analytics cookies. The admin session cookie is set exclusively for authenticated administrators accessing the blog CMS.
4. First-Party Analytics
In addition to Google Analytics, we run our own lightweight analytics on our own infrastructure. It records the pages you view, how you arrived (for example a search engine, an ad, or a link from another site), how far you scroll, how long a page is visible, and whether you take an action like requesting a quote or booking a call.
This data stays with us. We do not store your IP address, we do not track you across other websites, we do not build advertising profiles, and we never sell or share this data with anyone. The identifiers involved are random values with no connection to your name or email. Raw activity data is automatically deleted after 12 months.
To opt out, clear your browser's site data for buildlean.dev or block browser storage for this site. The site works exactly the same either way.
5. Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 (measurement ID G-76Z88E6YRW) to understand how visitors interact with the site. Analytics events include pages visited, referral source, approximate location, device type, and conversion actions like booking a discovery call. Google may set additional cookies on its own domains as part of this service.
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or by blocking third-party cookies in your browser settings.
6. How to Control Cookies
You have several ways to manage the cookies and storage entries set by buildlean.dev:
- Browser settings: Every major browser lets you view, block, or delete cookies for any site. You can also turn on "Block third-party cookies" to stop tools like Google Analytics from storing data on your device.
- Re-show our consent banner: Clear your browser's
localStorageentry for buildlean.dev (or thecookie-consent-acceptedkey specifically) and the banner will appear again on your next visit. - Opt out of Google Analytics: Use Google's opt-out add-on linked above.
- Do Not Track: Some browsers send a "Do Not Track" signal. Our site does not currently respond to that signal. Please use browser-level controls or the Google opt-out tool to limit tracking.
Blocking essential storage (like the consent flag) won't break the site, but it does mean the banner will reappear every visit. Blocking analytics has no effect on the features you can use.
7. Changes to This Cookie Policy
If we add new cookies, change a vendor, or update how we use existing cookies, we'll revise this page and update the "Last updated" date above. Material changes will also be reflected in the Privacy Policy.
8. Contact Us
Questions about how we use cookies, or a request related to your data? Reach out: