Cookie policy

The short version

CompareHQ sets a small number of strictly necessary first-party cookies to run the site. We also use two optional analytics tools (Microsoft Clarity and Google Analytics), which only run if you agree to them in the cookie banner. We don't use advertising cookies or any other third-party tracking cookies.

Necessary cookies

These are first-party cookies (set by CompareHQ, not a third party), hold no information that identifies you personally, and are never used to track you across other websites or build an advertising profile. Because they only do what's needed to run the site, they're set without a separate consent step, as UK rules (PECR) allow for strictly necessary cookies.

• Session identifier (chq_rotation_seed). A random value that lasts only until you close your browser. It keeps the order that providers are shown in stable as you browse and filter, and it lets us understand how visitors move through the site (for example, which searches lead to which comparisons) so we can improve it. It contains no name, email, or other personal detail, and is not shared with anyone.
• Sign-in session. If you sign in to a CompareHQ account, our authentication provider (Supabase) sets a cookie that keeps you signed in as you move between pages. It's removed when you sign out and expires after a period of inactivity. If you never sign in, this cookie is never set.

Analytics cookies (optional)

We use Microsoft Clarity to understand how visitors use CompareHQ, things like which pages get visited, where people click, and how far they scroll, so we can find and fix confusing parts of the site. Clarity sets its own cookies (for example _clck and _clsk) and may record session activity such as clicks, scrolling, and mouse movement. It doesn't collect the contents of what you type into form fields.

This isn't strictly necessary to run CompareHQ, so under UK rules (PECR) we only run it if you agree in the cookie banner shown on your first visit. If you decline, Clarity never loads and no analytics cookie is set. Microsoft's own privacy statement for Clarity is available at clarity.microsoft.com/terms.

We also use Google Analytics to understand overall traffic and how visitors find and move around CompareHQ. Google Analytics sets its own cookies (for example _ga and _ga_*) to distinguish visitors and sessions. Like Clarity, it only loads if you agree in the cookie banner, and it never runs if you decline. Google's own privacy information for Analytics is available at policies.google.com/privacy.

Your cookie choices

You can accept or decline analytics cookies from the banner shown when you first visit, and change your mind at any time.

Local browser storage

Separately from cookies, if you use CompareHQ without an account, we store a small amount of data directly in your browser (using “localStorage”, not a cookie), your saved providers, your compare selection, and your last few searches. This never leaves your device and isn't sent to our servers. See our Privacy Policy for detail.

Contact us

Questions about this policy? Email hello@comparehq.co.uk.