Cookie Policy

Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how GuruFocus ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website at investfocus.com (the "Service"). This policy describes what cookies are, how we use them, your choices regarding cookies, and further information about cookies.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to the owners of the site. Cookies allow a website to recognize your device and store some information about your preferences or past actions.

Types of Cookies We Use

We use several types of cookies on our website, each serving different purposes:

Cookie Type	Purpose	Duration	Examples
Essential	Required for basic website functionality, security, and user authentication	Session/Persistent	Login status, security tokens, session management
Functional	Remember your preferences and settings to enhance user experience	Up to 2 years	Language preferences, dashboard layout, watchlist settings
Analytics	Help us understand how visitors interact with our website	Up to 2 years	Google Analytics, page views, user behavior tracking
Marketing	Deliver personalized advertisements and track campaign effectiveness	Up to 1 year	Social media pixels, advertising cookies, conversion tracking

Specific Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms.

• investfocus_session: Maintains your login session and security state
• csrf_token: Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks
• cookie_consent: Remembers your cookie preference choices
• security_hash: Ensures secure data transmission

Functional Cookies

These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages.

• user_preferences: Stores your dashboard layout and display preferences
• watchlist_data: Maintains your investment watchlist selections
• theme_setting: Remembers your chosen light/dark mode preference
• portfolio_view: Saves your preferred portfolio analysis views

Analytics Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site.

• Google Analytics (_ga, _gid, _gat): Tracks website usage and user behavior
• Hotjar (_hjid, _hjIncludedInSample): Records user interactions for UX improvement
• internal_analytics: Our proprietary analytics for feature usage tracking

Marketing Cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites.

• Facebook Pixel (fbp, fbc): Tracks conversions and enables targeted advertising
• Google Ads (IDE, test_cookie): Delivers personalized advertisements
• LinkedIn Insight (_lipt, li_sugr): Professional network advertising optimization

Third-Party Cookies

Some of our pages display content from external providers, such as financial data feeds, news articles, and social media platforms. To view this third-party content, you first have to accept their specific terms and conditions, including their cookie policies.

Your Cookie Choices

You have several options for managing cookies on our website:

Cookie Settings

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie banner allowing you to accept or customize your cookie preferences. You can change these settings at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our footer.

Browser Controls

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings preferences. You can set your browser to:

• Block all cookies
• Allow only first-party cookies
• Delete cookies when you close your browser
• Notify you when a website tries to set a cookie

Opt-Out Tools

For analytics and advertising cookies, you can use these opt-out tools:

• Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Digital Advertising Alliance: DAA Opt-Out Platform
• Network Advertising Initiative: NAI Opt-Out Tool

Mobile App Cookies

Our mobile applications may use similar technologies to cookies, including:

• Local Storage: Stores user preferences and cached data
• Device Identifiers: Anonymous identifiers for analytics and personalization
• Push Notifications: Delivery of market alerts and investment updates
• App Analytics: Understanding app usage and performance

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect the information collected through cookies against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes:

• Encryption of sensitive cookie data
• Regular security audits and assessments
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Secure data transmission protocols (HTTPS)

International Data Transfers

Some of our third-party service providers may process cookie data outside your country of residence. We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws through appropriate safeguards such as:

• EU-US Privacy Shield Framework (where applicable)
• Standard Contractual Clauses
• Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
• Binding Corporate Rules

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Sending email notifications to registered users
• Displaying prominent notices on our platform
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the bottom of this policy