Cookies

Last updated: June 15, 2026

Do we use cookies?

Yes, but the set is small. Most of what looks like "saved progress" on Knotwise actually lives in your browser's localStorage rather than a cookie. Cookies are reserved for the handful of things that genuinely need them.

What can't be turned off

Three required cookies, all served first-party by knotwise.games:

1. Sign-in session. Issued by our auth provider after a successful login. Without it, your account state would be lost on every page change.
2. CSRF token. A short-lived value used during the sign-in flow to prevent cross-site request forgery.
3. Consent record. Stored locally so we remember your analytics choice.

These three can't be disabled through this page. You can still block or delete them in your browser, but sign-in and the cookie banner will stop behaving correctly.

What's optional

Two optional categories: analytics and advertising.

Google Analytics 4 — used to count visits, measure which puzzles get played, and see where players drop off.

Whether it's on by default depends on where you're visiting from:

• EEA, UK, and Switzerland. Off by default. A consent banner appears on your first visit; analytics cookies are only set after you opt in there or here.
• Everywhere else. On by default, in line with local rules that allow opt-out rather than opt-in. You can switch it off any time using the button below.

Advertising

Knotwise shows ads from Google AdSense to help fund the free daily puzzles. Google may set cookies to serve ads, limit how often you see the same ad, and — where permitted — personalise what you see.

• Subscribers see no ads. While you have an active subscription, the ad code is not loaded at all, so AdSense sets no cookies on your visits.
• EEA, UK, and Switzerland. Ad cookies and personalisation are off until you consent. Google's own consent prompt (a certified consent-management platform) handles this separately from the analytics banner above, so you may see two prompts on your first visit.
• Everywhere else. Ads are on by default. You can turn off ad personalisation any time from Google's Ad Settings; you'll still see ads, just less tailored ones.

We do not run a Facebook Pixel or any cross-site profile-building of our own beyond the Google services described here.

Changing your mind

The "Manage cookie preferences" button below opens the consent banner. Whatever you choose there overrides any earlier decision (and the regional default), immediately, without a reload.

You can also clear cookies for knotwise.games in your browser — the regional default will apply again on your next visit.

When this page changes

If we add or drop a vendor, or change either of the categories above, the "Last updated" date at the top of this page will move. Anything material — for example, adding a new analytics provider — will also re-prompt for consent rather than rely on a silent edit.

Questions

Email contact@knotwise.games and we'll get back to you.