Privacy Policy

EarbudsTimeline (earbudstimeline.com) is an independent editorial site that catalogs the history of wireless earbuds. This privacy policy explains what data we collect, why, and how you can control it.

1. Data We Collect

We collect the following categories of data:

• Usage analytics — pages visited, session duration, browser and device type, via Google Analytics 4 and Microsoft Clarity.
• Newsletter email address — only if you voluntarily subscribe via the newsletter form. Stored securely in our Supabase database.
• Technical data — IP address (anonymized), HTTP headers, language and region settings.

We do not collect names, phone numbers, or payment information. We do not require user registration.

2. Cookies & Local Storage

We use the following cookies and local storage:

• Theme preference — stored in localStorage (key: theme) to remember your light/dark mode choice. This never leaves your device.
• Google Analytics — sets _ga and _ga_* cookies to distinguish users for audience measurement. Data is anonymized.
• Microsoft Clarity — uses session storage for heatmap and session recording analysis.
• Google AdSense — sets cookies to display personalized or non-personalized ads based on your browsing context. See Google's privacy policy below.

3. Google AdSense & Advertising

EarbudsTimeline displays ads served by Google AdSense (publisher ID: ca-pub-6118188753194161). Google may use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our site and other sites. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings .

We comply with the IAB's TCF 2.2 framework where required. For EEA and UK visitors, a consent banner may be displayed before advertising cookies are set.

4. Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics 4 to understand how visitors use the site. IP addresses are anonymized. You can opt out via the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on .

5. Microsoft Clarity

We use Microsoft Clarity for session recordings and heatmaps. This helps us improve the user experience. Clarity may record mouse movements, clicks, and scrolling patterns. See Microsoft's Privacy Statement .

6. Newsletter

If you subscribe to our newsletter, your email address is stored in our database solely to send you updates about new articles and catalog changes. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email we send.

7. Affiliate Links

Some product links on this site are affiliate links. When you click on them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the site. Affiliate links are clearly identified.

8. Data Retention

Analytics data is retained for 14 months (Google Analytics default). Newsletter emails are retained until you unsubscribe. We do not sell personal data to third parties.

9. Your Rights

If you are located in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or California, you have rights including access to, correction of, and deletion of your personal data. Contact us at contact@earbudstimeline.com to exercise these rights.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy as our services evolve. Material changes will be noted with an updated date at the top of this page.

11. Contact

Questions? Email us at contact@earbudstimeline.com.