Cookie Policy
Last updated: September 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how bigwes.com, the personal website of Wesley Hall, uses cookies and similar technologies, what each one does, and how you can control them. For the broader picture of how information is collected and used, see the Privacy Policy.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. Some are essential for the site to work; others help me understand how the site is used. Similar technologies include local storage and tags. For simplicity, this page refers to all of them as "cookies".
Categories of Cookies Used
Strictly Necessary
Required for the site to function correctly. These cannot be turned off through the cookie banner because the site would not work without them.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | bigwes.com | Maintains form state and the anti-spam token on the Book a Talk form during your visit | Session |
| bw_consent | bigwes.com | Stores your cookie banner choice so you are not asked again on every page | 1 year |
| bw_internal_exclude | bigwes.com | Marks my own devices so my visits do not skew analytics. Set manually, never on visitor devices. | 1 year |
| _GRECAPTCHA | Google reCAPTCHA | Spam detection on the Book a Talk form. Only set when you visit that page. | 6 months |
Analytics
Help me understand how visitors find and use the site so I can improve content, navigation, and performance. Set only when you have not denied analytics consent via the cookie banner.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics 4 | Distinguishes unique visitors | 2 years |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics 4 | Maintains GA4 session state | 2 years |
| _gtm_* | Google Tag Manager | Coordinates the firing of analytics tags | Session |
| AMP_*, AMP_MKTG_* | Amplitude | Page views, event sequences, and session attribution | 1 year |
Managing Your Cookie Choices
On bigwes.com
A cookie preferences banner appears on your first visit. You can change your choice at any time by clicking "Cookie Preferences" in the site footer. Strictly necessary cookies cannot be turned off through the banner because the site would not work without them.
Browser Settings
Most browsers allow you to block all cookies, accept only certain cookies, or delete cookies after each session. Disabling cookies may affect how bigwes.com and many other sites work.
Opt Out of Google Analytics
- Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to block Google Analytics data collection across all sites
Changes to This Policy
I may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the technologies the site uses or in applicable law. The date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.
Contact
Questions about cookies? Email wesley@bigwes.com.