Cookie Policy | VA Masters – Virtual Assistant Agency

Cookie Policy

VA MASTERS

Last Updated: March 10, 2025

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how VA MASTERS (“we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website https://vamasters.com (the “Website”). This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.

By using our Website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy. When you first visit our Website, you will be asked to consent to the use of cookies. You can manage your cookie preferences at any time through our cookie consent tool or your browser settings.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and give website owners information about how visitors use their site.

Cookies can be “first-party cookies” (set by the website you are visiting) or “third-party cookies” (set by a party other than the website you are visiting). Cookies can also be “session cookies” (deleted when you close your browser) or “persistent cookies” (remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them).

3. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

Essential Website Functions: To enable basic website functionality, such as page navigation, secure access to restricted areas, and remembering your cookie preferences.

Analytics and Performance: To understand how visitors interact with our Website, identify errors, measure performance, and improve the user experience.

User Behavior Analysis: To record and analyze user sessions, including mouse movements, clicks, scrolling, and form interactions, to improve Website usability and identify issues.

Marketing and Advertising: To deliver relevant advertisements, track the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns, and understand user engagement with our content.

Tag Management: To efficiently manage and deploy tracking codes and marketing tags across our Website.

4. Types of Cookies We Use

The following table describes the categories of cookies and tracking technologies used on our Website:

Category	Provider	Purpose	Duration
Essential	VA MASTERS (First-party)	Enable core website functionality, security, and cookie consent management. These cookies are necessary for the Website to function and cannot be disabled.	Session to 1 year
Tag Management	Google Tag Manager	Manages the deployment and firing of other tracking tags and scripts on our Website. GTM itself does not collect personal data but enables other tools listed here.	Session
Analytics	Google Analytics	Collect anonymous information about how visitors use our Website, including pages visited, time spent, referral sources, and navigation patterns. This helps us improve Website performance and user experience.	Up to 2 years
Behavior Analytics	Microsoft Clarity	Records user sessions including mouse movements, clicks, scrolling behavior, and page interactions. Generates heatmaps and session recordings to help us understand how users interact with our Website and identify usability issues.	Up to 1 year
Marketing	Meta/Facebook Pixel	Track conversions, optimize advertising, build targeted audiences, and deliver relevant advertisements on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram).	Up to 90 days
Marketing	Google Ads	Track conversions from Google Ads campaigns, enable remarketing to show relevant ads across Google’s network (Search, Display, YouTube), and measure advertising effectiveness.	Up to 540 days
Marketing	Microsoft/Bing Ads	Track conversions from Microsoft Advertising campaigns, enable remarketing across Microsoft’s network (Bing, MSN, Outlook), and measure advertising effectiveness.	Up to 390 days

5. Specific Tracking Technologies

5.1 Google Tag Manager

Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a tag management system that allows us to quickly and easily update tracking codes and related code fragments (tags) on our Website. GTM does not collect personal data itself but manages the deployment of other tracking technologies listed in this policy. GTM may set its own cookies for functionality purposes.

For more information: https://policies.google.com/privacy

5.2 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google LLC. Google Analytics uses cookies to help us analyze how visitors use our Website. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the Website is transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States.

Common Google Analytics cookies include:

_ga: Used to distinguish unique users. Expires after 2 years.
_ga_[ID]: Used to maintain session state. Expires after 2 years.
_gid: Used to distinguish users. Expires after 24 hours.

For more information: https://policies.google.com/privacy

5.3 Microsoft Clarity

We use Microsoft Clarity, a user behavior analytics tool provided by Microsoft Corporation. Clarity captures how users interact with our Website through session recordings and heatmaps. This helps us understand user behavior, identify usability issues, and improve our Website.

Clarity may collect:

Mouse movements, clicks, and scrolling behavior
Pages visited and navigation patterns
Device and browser information
Form interactions (content is masked by default)

Important: Clarity automatically masks sensitive input fields. However, session recordings may capture on-screen content. Clarity does not track users across different websites.

For more information: https://privacy.microsoft.com/privacystatement

5.4 Google Ads

We use Google Ads conversion tracking and remarketing services provided by Google LLC. These services allow us to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns and show you relevant advertisements based on your visit to our Website.

Common Google Ads cookies include:

_gcl_au: Used for conversion tracking. Expires after 90 days.
_gcl_aw: Stores click information from Google Ads. Expires after 90 days.
IDE / DSID: Used for remarketing across Google’s ad network. Expires after 13-24 months.

For more information: https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads

5.5 Meta (Facebook) Pixel

We use the Meta (Facebook) Pixel, a tracking code provided by Meta Platforms, Inc. The Pixel allows us to measure, optimize, and build audiences for our advertising campaigns on Meta platforms.

The Pixel may collect:

HTTP headers (IP address, browser information, page location, referrer)
Pixel-specific data (Pixel ID, Facebook Cookie)
Button click data and form field names
Page metadata and optional data (such as conversion events)

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy

5.6 Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads)

We use Microsoft Advertising (formerly Bing Ads) Universal Event Tracking (UET) provided by Microsoft Corporation. This allows us to track conversions from our Microsoft Advertising campaigns and enable remarketing across Microsoft’s advertising network.

Common Microsoft Advertising cookies include:

_uetsid: Used to track visitors across multiple pages. Expires after session/1 day.
_uetvid: Used to track visitors across multiple visits. Expires after 13 months.
MUID: Microsoft User Identifier for advertising. Expires after 13 months.

For more information: https://privacy.microsoft.com/privacystatement

5.7 Additional Advertising Platforms

We may also use additional advertising and analytics platforms from time to time to measure and optimize our marketing efforts. These may include, but are not limited to: LinkedIn Insight Tag, TikTok Pixel, Twitter/X Pixel, Pinterest Tag, and other social media and advertising networks.

When we add new tracking technologies, this Cookie Policy will be updated accordingly. We encourage you to review this policy periodically for any changes.

6. Your Cookie Choices

You have several options for controlling and managing cookies:

6.1 Cookie Consent Tool

When you first visit our Website, a cookie consent banner will appear, allowing you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking on the cookie settings link in the footer of our Website.

6.2 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically find these settings in the “Options,” “Preferences,” or “Settings” menu of your browser. You can set your browser to block or alert you about cookies, delete existing cookies, or browse in “private” or “incognito” mode.

For more information on managing cookies in specific browsers:

Google Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
Mozilla Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer
Safari: https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/manage-cookies-sfri11471
Microsoft Edge: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/delete-cookies-in-microsoft-edge

6.3 Opt-Out Tools

You can also opt out of specific tracking services:

Google Analytics Opt-Out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
Google Ads Personalization: https://adssettings.google.com
Meta (Facebook) Ad Preferences: https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences
Microsoft Privacy Dashboard: https://account.microsoft.com/privacy
Digital Advertising Alliance (US): https://optout.aboutads.info
European Digital Advertising Alliance: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu

6.4 Impact of Disabling Cookies

Please note that if you disable or refuse cookies, some features of our Website may not function properly. Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they are necessary for the Website to work.

7. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that sends a signal to websites you visit indicating that you do not want to be tracked. There is currently no universally accepted standard for how to respond to DNT signals. As such, our Website does not currently respond to DNT browser signals. However, you can use the cookie management options described in Section 6 to control tracking.

8. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or the tracking technologies we use. When we make changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy. We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically.