Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 21, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how TryCookMate.com ("we", "our", "the Site") collects, uses, and protects your information. Advertising choices are presented through Google's certified consent platform where required. Google Analytics uses regional Consent Mode: analytics storage is denied by default for visitors in the EEA, UK, and Switzerland and may be updated through Google's regional consent message. Outside those regions, analytics is enabled without the separate site-wide prompt. Google signals and ad personalization signals remain disabled in our Analytics configuration. Use Privacy and cookie settings to revisit choices offered by Google's consent platform.

TryCookMate provides cooking inspiration and recipe suggestions only. It does not provide medical, nutritional, or health advice.

1. Information We Collect

a. Automatically Collected Data

• Device information (browser, OS, screen size)
• IP address or a shortened IP network prefix, and approximate location
• Usage analytics (pages visited, interactions)
• Crash logs and performance data
• Cookies and similar technologies

b. User-Provided Data

• Email address when you create an account, sign in, or contact us
• Password information for account login. We store a salted password hash, not your plain-text password.
• Saved recipes or preferences
• Account activity needed to manage saved recipes, sessions, and account features

c. Third-Party Data Collection (Google AdSense)

When advertising is enabled, Google AdSense may collect:

• Cookies and advertising identifiers
• Device and browser information
• Interaction and engagement data
• Interest-based signals

Learn how Google uses data: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites

2. How We Use Your Information

• Create and secure your account
• Authenticate login sessions and keep you signed in
• Save, display, print, and manage recipes in My Recipes
• Improve site performance and user experience
• Display, personalize, and measure ads
• Respond to user inquiries
• Maintain security and prevent misuse

3. Cookies & Advertising

Essential features and consent choices

Account sessions and security features use necessary storage. On pages that use Google advertising services, Google's certified consent platform presents the choices required for the visitor's region. It may store a consent signal so the choice can be honored on later visits.

Use the Privacy and cookie settings control on a content page to reopen Google's choices. The privacy-policy page itself intentionally contains no advertising tag. If you are reading this page and want to revisit your choice, open Privacy and cookie settings.

Advertising status

TryCookMate uses Google AdSense on selected public content pages. We exclude legal, account, contact, and empty-tool pages. Where ads are enabled, Google and advertising partners may use cookies or identifiers to select and measure ads. Personalized ads may use activity across sites only where the required choice permits it.

You can manage Google's personalization at My Ad Center and learn more about Google's use of partner-site data.

4. Third-Party Services & Data Sharing

a. Google AdSense

When enabled, Google AdSense may collect data including cookies, IP address, and device information. Learn more at: Google's Partner Sites Privacy Policy

b. Analytics Tools

We may use web analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to understand site usage patterns and improve user experience. These services may collect:

• Page views and click behavior
• Time spent on site
• Referring domain and device type
• Approximate geographic location

c. Additional Third Parties

• Crash reporting and performance monitoring tools
• Email delivery services (for contact inquiries)
• CDN and hosting providers

5. Data Sharing & Third-Party Access

We do NOT:

• Sell your personal information to third parties
• Share email addresses without your consent
• Use data for purposes beyond what's described in this policy

We MAY share data with:

• Google AdSense and other ad networks (automatic, as part of ad serving)
• Analytics providers (to understand site usage)
• Hosting and infrastructure providers (to run the site)
• Database providers, such as Neon, to securely store account and saved recipe data
• Legal authorities, if required by law or court order

6. Data Retention

We retain data as follows:

• Analytics data: typically retained for 26 months
• Cookies: retained per cookie expiration (usually 1-2 years)
• Contact emails: retained indefinitely unless deleted upon request
• Account email, protected password hash, sessions, and saved recipes: retained while your account is active or until deletion is requested
• Security traffic logs: retained for no longer than 90 days and deleted sooner when the investigation no longer requires them. These logs may include a shortened IP network prefix, request path (without query-string values), request method, response status and timing, referrer hostname, and limited browser or automated-client information. We do not intentionally place request bodies, cookies, authorization headers, email addresses, or full referrer URLs in these logs.

You may request deletion of your personal data by contacting us.

7. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your data, including:

• HTTPS encryption for data in transit
• Access controls on stored data
• Regular security monitoring

Important: No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Children's Privacy (COPPA)

TryCookMate.com is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children.

9. Your Rights

• Request access to your data
• Request deletion
• Request corrections
• Opt out of personalized ads

10. International Users (GDPR / CCPA)

For European Users (GDPR)

If you're located in the EU, you have the following rights:

• Right to Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured format
• Right to Object: Object to data processing, including for profiling
• Right to Restrict Processing: Ask us to pause data processing

For California Users (CCPA)

If you're a California resident, you have the following rights:

• Right to Know: Know what personal information is collected and used
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of selling/sharing of personal information
• Right to Non-Discrimination: No discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected].

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Continued use of the Site means you accept the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us at:

Email: [email protected]
Organization: TryCookMate Team

We will respond to your data requests within 30 days in accordance with applicable laws.

13. Disclaimer

Recipe & Health Disclaimer

TryCookMate provides recipes and cooking suggestions for general informational purposes only. It does not provide:

• Medical advice
• Professional nutritional counseling
• Dietary or therapeutic recommendations
• Allergen or food safety guarantees

You are responsible for:

• Checking all ingredient allergens and sensitivities
• Following proper food safety and preparation practices
• Consulting with healthcare professionals for dietary concerns
• Verifying all recipe information independently

Advertisement Disclaimer

TryCookMate.com uses Google AdSense on selected public content pages. We do not endorse or control the content of advertisements. Third-party ads are subject to their own terms of service and privacy policies. Any interaction with ads is solely at your own risk.