Cookies Policy | Cookie Usage & Management

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

Cookies can be "session cookies" (temporary and deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent cookies" (remain on your device until they expire or are deleted).

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1. Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You cannot opt out of these cookies as they are essential for the website to work.

Cookie consent: Remembers your cookie preferences
Session management: Maintains your session while browsing
Security: Protects against cross-site request forgery (CSRF)

2.2. Analytics Cookies

Google Analytics 4 is optional. Its script is not loaded and its analytics cookies are not created until you choose Allow analytics. We use aggregated page, device, traffic-source and enquiry-conversion information to understand which content and contact paths are useful.

_ga: Distinguishes browsers for analytics measurement
_ga_<measurement-id>: Persists session state
seo_first_touch and seo_last_touch: Preserve the landing page, referral and campaign source used for an enquiry

2.3. Form Security

Forms protected against automated abuse use Google reCAPTCHA. When a protected form is present, Google may process device, network and interaction signals needed to assess whether the submission is legitimate. This security control is separate from Google Analytics.

3. Legal Basis for Cookie Usage

Our cookie controls distinguish between storage needed to operate and secure the website and optional storage used for measurement:

Essential cookies: Do not require consent as they are necessary for the website to function
Non-essential cookies: Require your explicit consent before being placed on your device
You can withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your cookie preferences

4. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You can manage your cookie preferences in several ways:

4.1. Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner. You can choose to:

Allow analytics: Enable essential cookies and optional analytics
Keep analytics off: Use only essential cookies and form-security controls

Your preference is stored in a cookie and will be remembered for 180 days, after which you will be asked again.

4.2. Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

Block all cookies
Block third-party cookies
Delete cookies when you close your browser
Delete existing cookies

Please note that blocking cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

5. Third-Party Cookies

Google provides the Analytics and reCAPTCHA services described above. Google Analytics is blocked until you allow analytics; reCAPTCHA is used only on protected forms for security. We do not use advertising or remarketing cookies through the Google tag.

6. Cookie Retention

Cookies are retained for different periods depending on their purpose:

Application session: Expires after 120 minutes of inactivity by default
Cookie consent: 180 days
Google Analytics cookies: 90 days on this site; an active visit can refresh the expiry
First- and last-touch attribution: 90 days

7. Your Rights

In accordance with Turkish Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK), you have the right to:

Be informed about the cookies we use
Give or withdraw consent for non-essential cookies
Request information about cookies stored on your device
Delete cookies at any time through your browser settings

For more information about your data protection rights, please see our Privacy Policy.

8. Contact Information

If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:

Email: contact@tugrulyildirim.com
Website: https://tugrulyildirim.com/contact-me

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting on this page. The "Last updated" date at the top indicates when this policy was last revised.