Cookie Policy
Last updated: April 2026
1. About This Policy
This Cookie Policy describes the cookies and similar tracking technologies that Metadata, Inc. ("Metadata," "we," "us," or "our") uses on www.metadata.io and its subdomains (collectively, the "Site"). It explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control their use.
Metadata, Inc. is headquartered at 1754 Technology Drive, Suite 212, San Jose, CA 95110.
For questions about this Cookie Policy, please contact us at privacy@metadata.io.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, provide a better browsing experience, and supply information to site owners.
Key Concepts
First-party cookies are set by the website you are visiting (e.g., cookies placed by www.metadata.io).
Third-party cookies are set by a domain other than the one you are visiting. For example, if you visit our Site and a separate analytics or advertising service sets a cookie through our pages, that is a third-party cookie.
Persistent cookies remain on your device for a defined period of time. They are activated each time you visit the site that created them.
Session cookies are temporary and exist only while your browser is open. Once you close the browser, all session cookies are deleted.
3. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies to provide the content and functionality of the Site (strictly necessary cookies) and, with your consent where required by law, to analyze traffic, remember your preferences, and deliver relevant advertising. We also share information about your use of our Site with our analytics and advertising partners, who may combine this data with other information you have provided to them or that they have collected from your use of their services.
You do not need to allow cookies to visit most of the Site. However, enabling cookies may allow for a more tailored browsing experience and is required for certain features to work. In most cases, cookies do not provide us with personally identifiable information.
4. Categories of Cookies We Use
4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Site to function and cannot be switched off. They are set in response to actions you take, such as setting privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms. You can configure your browser to block these cookies, but some parts of the Site may not work correctly without them. These cookies do not store personally identifiable information.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| __cf_bm | Cloudflare | Bot management and security protection. Distinguishes humans from automated bots. | 30 minutes | Third-party |
| cookieconsent_status | metadata.io | Stores your cookie consent preference so you are not asked on every page load. | 1 year | First-party |
4.2 Analytics / Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and understand traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of the Site. They help us identify which pages are popular, how visitors navigate the Site, and where errors occur. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies, we will not know when you have visited our Site and cannot monitor its performance.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Registers a unique ID to generate statistical data on how you use the Site. Used by Google Analytics 4 to distinguish users. | 2 years | Third-party |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics | Used by Google Analytics 4 to persist session state across page loads. | 2 years | Third-party |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Registers a unique ID to generate statistical data on how you use the Site. Distinguishes users for a 24-hour period. | 24 hours | Third-party |
| _gat_gtag_* | Google Analytics | Used to throttle request rate to Google Analytics, limiting data collection on high-traffic sites. | 1 minute | Third-party |
4.3 Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the Site to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have integrated into our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| __hssc | HubSpot | Keeps track of sessions. Used to determine if HubSpot should increment the session number and timestamps in the __hstc cookie. | 30 minutes | Third-party |
| __hssrc | HubSpot | Set to determine if the visitor has restarted their browser. If this cookie does not exist when HubSpot manages cookies, it is considered a new session. | Session | Third-party |
| __hstc | HubSpot | Tracks visitors across sessions. Contains the domain, initial timestamp (first visit), last timestamp (last visit), current timestamp (this visit), and session number. | 6 months | Third-party |
| hubspotutk | HubSpot | Keeps track of a visitor's identity. Passed to HubSpot on form submission and used when deduplicating contacts. | 6 months | Third-party |
| messagesUtk | HubSpot | Used to recognize visitors who interact with the HubSpot chat widget across sessions. | 6 months | Third-party |
4.4 Marketing / Targeting Cookies
These cookies record your visit to our Site, the pages you have visited, and the links you have followed. We use this information to make the Site and advertising displayed on it more relevant to your interests. These cookies may be set through our Site by our advertising partners and used to build a profile of your interests to show you relevant advertisements on other sites. They do not directly store personal information but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _gcl_au | Google Ads | Used by Google AdSense to store and track conversions and ad click information. | 90 days | Third-party |
| _fbp | Meta (Facebook) | Used by Facebook to deliver advertisements and track ad performance when you visit the Site or a site that uses Facebook advertising. | 90 days | Third-party |
| _fbc | Meta (Facebook) | Stores the last Facebook click identifier when a visitor arrives from Facebook with a click ID parameter in the URL. | 90 days | Third-party |
| li_sugr | Used by LinkedIn for browser identification and advertising purposes. | 90 days | Third-party | |
| bcookie | Browser identifier cookie set by LinkedIn to enable LinkedIn Insight Tag functionality. | 1 year | Third-party | |
| lidc | Used by LinkedIn for routing and data center selection. | 24 hours | Third-party | |
| UserMatchHistory | Used by LinkedIn for ad targeting and sync with third-party advertisers. | 30 days | Third-party | |
| AnalyticsSyncHistory | Used by LinkedIn to store information about the time a sync with the lms_analytics cookie took place. | 30 days | Third-party | |
| IDE | Google DoubleClick | Used by Google DoubleClick to register and report user actions after viewing or clicking an ad, measuring ad effectiveness and presenting targeted ads. | 1 year | Third-party |
| test_cookie | Google DoubleClick | Used to check if the browser supports cookies. | 15 minutes | Third-party |
5. Google Tag Manager
We use Google Tag Manager (container ID: GTM-KDLXQ8F) to manage the deployment and firing of marketing and analytics tags on the Site. Google Tag Manager itself does not use cookies or collect personal data. However, the tags it deploys (such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Pixel, and LinkedIn Insight Tag) may set their own cookies as described above.
6. Other Tracking Technologies
Web Beacons (Pixel Tags)
We may use web beacons (also known as pixel tags or clear GIFs) on the Site and in our HTML-formatted emails. Pixel tags are small, transparent image files embedded in web pages or emails that allow us to track page views, email open rates, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. They work in conjunction with cookies to compile aggregate statistics about Site usage.
Browser Web Storage
We may use browser web storage (including HTML5 local storage and session storage) for purposes similar to cookies. Browser web storage enables the storage of a larger amount of data than cookies. Your web browser may provide functionality to clear your browser web storage through its settings or developer tools.
7. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You have several options for managing cookies:
Cookie consent banner. When you first visit the Site, you may be presented with a cookie consent banner. You can accept or decline non-essential cookies through this banner. You can change your preferences at any time by clearing your cookies and revisiting the Site.
Browser settings. Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings, typically found in the "Options," "Preferences," or "Settings" menu. The following links provide guidance for common browsers:
- Cookie settings in Google Chrome
- Cookie settings in Mozilla Firefox
- Cookie settings in Microsoft Edge
- Cookie settings in Safari
Please note that if you block all cookies (including strictly necessary cookies), some parts of the Site may not function properly.
Platform opt-out tools. You can opt out of interest-based advertising through certain third-party platforms:
- Google: https://adssettings.google.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/about/ads
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out
Industry opt-out programs. You may opt out of interest-based ads from participating companies through the following programs:
- Network Advertising Initiative: https://www.networkadvertising.org/managing/opt_out.asp
- Digital Advertising Alliance: https://optout.aboutads.info/
- European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EEA/UK): https://www.youronlinechoices.eu/
You will need to apply opt-out settings on each device and browser from which you wish to opt out.
Global Privacy Control. Some browsers and extensions support the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal. We honor GPC signals as a valid opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information where required by applicable law. To learn more, visit https://globalprivacycontrol.org/.
8. Your Consent
Strictly necessary cookies do not require your consent.
For analytics, functional, and marketing cookies, we request your consent before placing them on your device where required by applicable law (including for visitors in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom). You can give or withdraw your consent through the cookie consent banner or by adjusting your browser settings.
9. Data Retention
Each cookie has its own retention period as specified in the tables above. Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device until they expire or you delete them manually.
10. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
11. Further Information
For more information about how we process personal data collected through cookies, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
For general information about cookies, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy, please contact us at:
Metadata, Inc.
1754 Technology Drive, Suite 212
San Jose, CA 95110
privacy@metadata.io