Last updated: 4 September 2026
This policy explains how So I Looked It Up uses cookies and similar technologies that store information on, or access information from, your browser or device.
Your choices
Visitors are offered three clear choices: Accept all, Reject all, or Choose settings. Essential technologies remain active because the site cannot operate securely without them. Preferences, Analytics and Advertising are off until you make a positive choice.
Rejecting non-essential technologies does not stop you reading the publication. You can reopen the panel at any time using the Cookie settings control shown on the site. We also respect Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control signals where the consent system supports them.
How consent is applied
Google Site Kit consent mode sets Google storage permissions to denied by default for visitors in the United Kingdom, EEA, Switzerland and other configured regions. The Google tag may load so that it can receive and apply that denied state; loading the tag does not mean that you have agreed to non-essential storage. Analytics or advertising storage is enabled only for the categories you accept.
Complianz displays the consent panel and blocks or categorises technologies. WP Consent API communicates your choices between compatible WordPress plugins. The consent system may store a necessary preference so it can remember and enforce your decision; the current preference period is 30 days unless you change or clear it sooner.
Essential technologies
WordPress and IONOS may use technologies required for site delivery, security, integrity, administration and authentication. Administrator login cookies are used only for authorised site management. These functions are not used by So I Looked It Up for behavioural advertising.
Preferences
Optional preference storage remembers choices that are not essential to deliver a page. This category is off by default and is currently used only where a feature genuinely needs to remember an optional setting.
Analytics, only after consent
Google Analytics 4, connected through Google Site Kit, helps us understand which pages are read, how visitors arrive and how the site performs. If you accept Analytics, Google may use cookies such as _ga and _ga_* to distinguish browsers and maintain audience, session and campaign measurements. These cookies are commonly configured for retention of up to two years, but deletion, withdrawal, browser controls or Google configuration changes can shorten that period.
We do not ask Google Analytics to collect names, email addresses or the contents of messages. Read how Google uses information from sites that use its services and Google’s cookie information.
Advertising
Google advertising and AdSense code is present as part of an incomplete advertising setup. It is classified as Advertising in the consent panel. Non-essential advertising storage, ad personalisation and related measurement remain denied unless you accept that category.
The public advertising programme is not yet fully launched. Before personalised Google advertising is enabled for UK or EEA visitors, the site will complete the additional Google-certified consent-management requirements and update this policy and provider inventory as necessary.
Newsletter sign-up
Joining the newsletter is separate from cookie consent. The sign-up uses MailPoet and double opt-in: after submitting an email address, you must confirm it from your inbox before marketing emails are sent. Signing up does not switch on Analytics or Advertising cookies. MailPoet’s handling of subscriber information is explained in the Privacy notice.
External links and share controls
Article share controls are ordinary links and do not load Facebook, X, LinkedIn or other social-platform scripts on this site. If you follow an external link, the destination service may use technologies under its own policy.
How to manage or withdraw consent
Use Cookie settings to revisit your choices. You may also delete or block cookies in your browser. Blocking essential storage may affect administration or security functions; rejecting non-essential storage will not prevent access to articles.
Questions and changes
For information about personal data, legal bases, recipients, international transfers, retention and your rights, see the Privacy notice. Questions can be sent to hello@soilookeditup.com.
This page is reviewed whenever the site’s technology, providers or consent configuration changes. The date above records the latest material update.