Cookie Policy
Last updated: 25 June 2026
This Cookie Policy is provided as a general template to explain how PDFBEAR uses cookies and similar technologies. It does not replace specific legal advice. Our practices evolve, so please refer to the current version on this site and contact us with any questions.
1. What cookies are
Cookies are small text files that a website stores on your device when you visit. They let the site remember actions and preferences (such as being logged in or your language) over time, and they help with security and understanding how the site is used. We also use similar technologies, such as local storage, which we refer to together as "cookies" in this policy.
2. How we use cookies
We use cookies that are strictly necessary to run PDFBEAR (for example, to keep you signed in and to protect against fraud), cookies that remember your preferences, and analytics cookies that help us understand and improve the service. Some cookies may be set by third parties we rely on, such as Stripe during checkout.
We also work with two specific third parties whose cookies you should be aware of:
- Google AdSense — Google uses cookies to serve and measure ads on PDFBEAR, and may use them to personalise advertising based on your prior visits to this and other sites. You can review and control ad personalisation in Google's Ads Settings, and learn more in how Google uses cookies in advertising.
- Clicky (Roxr Software) — a privacy-focused web analytics service that uses cookies to measure traffic and how visitors use the site, in aggregate. See the Clicky privacy policy.
3. Cookie categories we use
| Category | Purpose | Examples | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Required for the site to work: keeping you logged in, counting guest usage, and protecting against fraud and request forgery (CSRF). These cannot be switched off in our systems. | Login session cookie; anonymous file counter cookie (pdfbear_tid); CSRF and security cookies. | Session to up to a few weeks |
| Preferences | Remember choices you make so the site behaves the way you expect. | Language selection; view mode preference. | Up to 12 months |
| Analytics | Help us understand how visitors use the site so we can improve our tools and content. This data is used in aggregate. | Clicky (Roxr Software) usage and traffic measurement cookies. | Up to 24 months |
| Advertising | Set by Google AdSense to serve and measure ads and, where applicable, to personalise advertising based on your visits. You can opt out of personalised ads via Google Ads Settings. | Google AdSense cookies (e.g. __gads, IDE, ANID). | Up to 13 months |
| Third-party | Set by services we embed or use, such as the payment provider during checkout, to operate their features securely. | Stripe checkout and fraud-prevention cookies. | Varies by provider |
Cookie names and durations are examples and may change as we update the service. Third-party cookies are governed by the relevant provider's own policies.
4. Managing and disabling cookies
You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers let you view stored cookies, block or remove them, and refuse cookies from specific sites. The "Help" or "Settings" menu of your browser explains how. You can also use private or incognito browsing to limit how long cookies persist.
Please note that strictly necessary cookies are required for core features. If you block them, you may not be able to sign in, run tools, or use the service properly. Blocking preference or analytics cookies is generally fine but may make the site less personalized.
5. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date above. Please check back for the latest version.
6. Contact us
If you have questions about our use of cookies, contact us through our contact page or at privacy@pdfbear.com.