1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit websites. They help websites remember your preferences, authenticate your identity, and provide personalized experiences.

RankGuru uses cookies and similar tracking technologies (such as local storage and session storage) to enhance your experience, analyze usage patterns, and improve our services.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

These cookies are required for the Service to function properly and cannot be disabled. They enable core functionality such as:

• Authentication: Firebase authentication tokens to keep you logged in across sessions
• Security: JWT tokens for secure API requests and CSRF protection
• Session Management: Maintaining your active session and preventing duplicate logins
• Load Balancing: Routing requests to appropriate servers

2.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies enhance functionality and personalization:

• User Preferences: Remember your exam preference (JEE/NEET), target year, and subject selections
• Practice State: Save your current practice test progress, bookmarked questions, and filters
• UI Settings: Theme preferences, sidebar state, and display options
• Language: Remember your preferred language (if applicable)

2.3 Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how users interact with our platform:

• Usage Analytics: Track pages visited, features used, and time spent on different sections
• Performance Monitoring: Measure page load times, error rates, and API response times
• User Behavior: Understand study patterns, question-solving times, and difficulty preferences
• Conversion Tracking: Measure effectiveness of features and premium plan conversions

We may use third-party analytics services such as Google Analytics, which use cookies to collect anonymized usage data.

2.4 Marketing Cookies (Optional)

These cookies are used to deliver relevant advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness:

• Track conversion from advertising campaigns
• Retarget users who visited our website
• Measure ad performance and ROI
• Deliver personalized promotional content

3. Local Storage and Session Storage

In addition to cookies, we use browser storage APIs:

• localStorage: Persists authentication state ('auth-storage' key with Zustand store), user preferences, and practice progress across browser sessions
• sessionStorage: Temporary data that is cleared when you close the browser tab (e.g., current test state, filters)

This data is stored locally on your device and is not transmitted to our servers except when explicitly needed (e.g., saving progress).

4. Third-Party Cookies

We use third-party services that may set their own cookies:

• Firebase (Google): Authentication cookies for Google OAuth sign-in
• Payment Processors: Cookies for secure payment processing (Razorpay, Stripe, etc.)
• Analytics Tools: Google Analytics or similar services for usage tracking
• CDN Providers: Content delivery network cookies for optimized asset loading

These third parties have their own privacy policies and cookie policies. We recommend reviewing their policies to understand their data practices.

5. Cookie Duration

Cookies may be "session cookies" (temporary, deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent cookies" (remain on your device for a set period):

6. How to Manage Cookies

6.1 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through settings:

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and data stored

6.2 Opt-Out Options

You can opt out of specific cookie types:

• Analytics: Use Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Marketing: Visit youronlinechoices.eu or aboutads.info
• Do Not Track: Enable "Do Not Track" in your browser (we honor this signal)

6.3 Impact of Disabling Cookies

Disabling cookies may affect functionality:

• You may be unable to log in or stay authenticated
• Your preferences and progress may not be saved
• Certain features may not work properly
• You may see less relevant content and advertisements

7. Your Choices and Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding cookies:

• Consent: Right to consent or refuse non-essential cookies (we obtain consent where required)
• Access: Request information about cookies we use
• Deletion: Delete cookies from your browser at any time
• Withdrawal: Withdraw consent for cookies (note: essential cookies cannot be disabled)

8. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy with a new "Last updated" date. Your continued use of RankGuru after such changes constitutes acceptance.