Cookie policy
PriceLens UK uses a small number of cookies to make the service work and keep you signed in, and — only if you accept them — to show ads and measure how the site is used. We never set advertising or analytics cookies unless you actively accept them in the cookie banner; if you reject non-essential cookies, only the essential ones below are set. We also store some information directly in your browser using local storage rather than cookies; this is listed under "Local storage we use" further down.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file placed on your device by a website you visit. Cookies are widely used to make websites work, or to work more efficiently, and to remember information about you between visits.
The cookies we use
The table below lists every cookie PriceLens UK sets, what it does, and how long it lasts.
| Cookie name | Purpose | Type | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
pricelens_session | Identifies your browsing session so pages load correctly and to attribute activity to a single visit. It slides forward on activity and expires an hour after your last action. | Essential | 1 hour (sliding) |
pricelens_refresh | Keeps you signed in to your PriceLens UK account between visits without re-entering your password. Sent only to our authentication endpoints. Set once you log in. | Essential | 30 days |
Adsterra | Set by Adsterra, our advertising network, when you accept non-essential cookies, to serve and measure the ads shown on PriceLens UK. Adsterra, not PriceLens UK, controls these cookies' exact names and lifetimes — see Adsterra's own privacy and cookie disclosures for the current list. | Advertising | Set by Adsterra |
Google AdSense (e.g. __gads, __gpi, IDE) | Set by Google when you accept non-essential cookies, to serve and measure ads on PriceLens UK. Google, not PriceLens UK, controls these cookies' exact names and lifetimes — see Google's own advertising cookie disclosures for the current list. | Advertising | Set by Google (typically up to 13 months) |
Google Analytics (_ga, _ga_G-G26Q3D0S7P) | Set by Google when you accept non-essential cookies, to measure how PriceLens UK is used (pages viewed, repeat visits) so we can improve it. We see aggregate reports, not individual identities. | Analytics | Up to 2 years |
Cookie types explained
Essential cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary for PriceLens UK to function. They keep your browsing session working and, once you sign in, keep you signed in. You cannot opt out of essential cookies while continuing to use the service.
When you are signed in, your store filter preferences, location, budgets, shopping lists, favourites and receipt records are stored securely in your account on our servers — not in cookies — so they sync across devices. When you are signed out, some of this is kept in your browser's local storage instead (see below).
Local storage we use
Local storage is a browser feature, similar to cookies, that lets a site keep information on your device. Unlike cookies it is not sent to our servers with every request — it stays in your browser. We use it for the items below. None of it is used for advertising, and you can clear it at any time through your browser settings.
- Your cookie choice — remembers whether you accepted or rejected non-essential cookies, so we don't ask on every visit.
- Your shopping list and saved baskets — so the items you add persist as you navigate and between visits when you are not signed in.
- Recent search history — so you can quickly return to earlier searches.
- An anonymous analytics ID — a random identifier (not your name or email) that lets us understand how the service is used without requiring you to sign in.
- Interface preferences — such as your nearest-branch results, list import preferences, dashboard state and dismissed prompts.
Third-party cookies
If you accept non-essential cookies, PriceLens UK loads third-party services that set their own cookies on your device:
- Adsterra — the advertising network that serves the ads on PriceLens UK and helps fund the service. See Adsterra's privacy policy.
- Google AdSense — also used to show ads on PriceLens UK. See how Google uses cookies in advertising.
- Google Analytics — measures how the site is used so we can improve it. See how Google uses data from sites that use its services.
We do not embed any social media plugins beyond these. If you reject non-essential cookies, neither is loaded and neither sets any cookies.
Managing cookies
All modern browsers allow you to view, block, and delete cookies through their settings. Note that blocking essential cookies will prevent you from signing in and staying signed in. Links to cookie management guidance for common browsers:
Changes to this policy
If we introduce new cookies in the future — for example to support a saved-lists feature or a price-alert service — we will update this page before those cookies are set, and note the date of the change at the top of the policy.
Contact
Questions about our use of cookies? Reach us at privacy@pricelens.co.uk.