Cookies keep the site working, secure, and ad-supported.

What cookies are

Cookies are small files stored by your browser. Similar technologies can include local storage, pixels, web beacons, IP addresses, device or browser identifiers, and security signals. These technologies help websites remember choices, measure performance, prevent abuse, and serve ads.

First-party cookies

PickTheSide may set a first-party cookie after you pick a side in a fictional case. These cookies may begin with pts_ and usually last for about 30 days. They help the site remember your recent pick and return you to the matching result view.

We do not use accounts or profile pages, and these cookies are not designed to identify a named person.

Advertising cookies

PickTheSide uses Google AdSense. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to PickTheSide or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables Google and its partners to serve ads based on visits to this site and other sites on the internet.

AdSense and advertising partners may also use cookies, web beacons, IP addresses, or other identifiers for ad delivery, frequency capping, measurement, fraud prevention, and abuse prevention.

Security cookies and human checks

PickTheSide uses Cloudflare for hosting, performance, and security. Cloudflare may use cookies or similar signals to detect automated traffic, protect the service, and deliver pages reliably.

PickTheSide may use Cloudflare Turnstile when a reader submits a side pick. Turnstile is meant to reduce spam and automated abuse while keeping the reading experience lightweight.

Consent in some regions

If ads are served to visitors in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, Google requires publishers using AdSense to use a Google-certified consent management platform where legally required. PickTheSide expects AdSense Privacy & messaging or another Google-certified CMP to handle those regional consent choices when configured in the AdSense account.

Where a consent message is shown, use that message to accept, reject, or manage cookie and advertising choices for your region.

Your choices

You can control or delete many cookies through your browser settings. Blocking cookies may affect some site features, including remembering your side pick.

You can opt out of personalized advertising through Google Ads Settings. You can also learn about opt-out choices through AboutAds choices and the Network Advertising Initiative.

Related privacy information

This Cookie Policy should be read together with the Privacy Policy, which explains what information PickTheSide collects, how it is used, and how to contact us with privacy requests.

Contact

Questions about cookies, advertising choices, or privacy requests can be sent to support@picktheside.com.