Cookie Policy
Last reviewed on 2026-04-27
This page explains the cookies and similar storage technologies used by CheckMySpeed.org, what they do, and how to control or remove them. It is a companion to our Privacy Policy.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file that a website asks your browser to store on your device. Cookies are widely used to make websites work, to measure traffic, and to support advertising. Some cookies are set by the site you are visiting ("first-party"); others are set by services embedded into the page ("third-party").
Related technologies — local storage, session storage, web beacons, pixels — work in similar ways and are covered by this policy where they are used for the same purposes.
Categories of cookies in use on this site
1. Strictly necessary
The CheckMySpeed.org speed test does not require any first-party cookies of its own to run. The page renders, the test runs, the result is shown — no login, no preference state, no per-user storage on our end.
2. Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand traffic at an aggregate level: which pages are read, which articles are popular, and broadly where readers come from. Analytics cookies set by Google fall in this category.
3. Advertising
The site shows ads through Google AdSense. Google and its advertising partners may set cookies on your device to serve ads, measure how those ads perform, and — where you have consented — personalise the ads you see based on your interests and visits to other sites.
Specific cookies you may encounter
The exact list of cookies set by Google can change over time. The following table shows representative examples in each category.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga, _ga_* | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users and sessions to produce aggregate traffic reports. | Analytics |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Used by Google Analytics to distinguish users for short-term reporting. | Analytics |
| NID, IDE, ANID | Google / DoubleClick | Used by Google to remember preferences and to serve and measure ads. | Advertising |
| __gads, __gpi | Google AdSense | Used by AdSense to display, measure, and frequency-cap ads. | Advertising |
How to control cookies
Manage cookies in your browser
Every modern browser lets you view, block, or delete cookies — usually through the privacy or "site settings" section. You can also choose to be warned before a cookie is stored, or to clear all cookies when you close the browser. Be aware that blocking cookies broadly can break some features on other sites you visit.
Opt out of personalised advertising
- Google Ads Settings — control how Google personalises ads on its services and on participating sites.
- Digital Advertising Alliance (US) — opt out across multiple advertising vendors.
- Your Online Choices (EU) — equivalent opt-out for European users.
Opt out of Google Analytics
Google publishes a browser add-on that prevents your visits from being included in Google Analytics measurement.
What still works if you block cookies: The speed test on the home page does not depend on cookies and will continue to function. You may, however, see less relevant ads, and we will not see your visit in our aggregate analytics.
Changes to this policy
If the set of services in use on the site changes, this page is updated to reflect that. The "Last reviewed" date at the top shows when this policy was last checked.
Questions
For cookie or privacy questions, contact [email protected].