COOKIE POLICY

Effective Date: April 12, 2025

This Cookie Policy (“Policy”) explains how Sterling & Pope Publishing Corp (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies to recognize you when you visit our websites at sterlingandpope.com and heroprotools.com (“Websites”). It explains what these technologies are and why we use them, as well as your rights to control our use of them.

This Policy is and will be treated as part of our Privacy Policy and is automatically incorporated therein. All terms used and not otherwise defined in this Cookie Policy have the meanings set forth in the Privacy Policy.

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1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small data files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used by website owners in order to make their websites work, or to work more efficiently, as well as to provide reporting information.

Cookies set by the website owner (in this case, Sterling & Pope Media, LLC) are called “first-party cookies.” Cookies set by parties other than the website owner are called “third-party cookies.” Third-party cookies enable third-party features or functionality to be provided on or through the website (e.g., advertising, interactive content, and analytics).

2. Why Do We Use Cookies?

We use first-party and third-party cookies for several reasons. Some cookies are required for technical reasons in order for our Websites to operate, and we refer to these as “essential” or “strictly necessary” cookies. Other cookies also enable us to track and target the interests of our users to enhance the experience on our Websites and marketing platforms.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our Websites and to use some of their features, such as access to secure areas and session management. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the Websites, you cannot refuse them without impacting how our Websites function.

• Session cookies for managing user sessions
• Security cookies for authentication and security purposes
• Load balancing cookies

3.2 Performance and Functionality Cookies

These cookies are used to enhance the performance and functionality of our Websites but are non-essential to their use. However, without these cookies, certain functionality may become unavailable.

• Cookies for remembering your preferences
• Cookies for customizing content based on your use
• Cookies for form completion and saved information

3.3 Analytics and Customization Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our Websites are being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our Websites for you.

• Google Analytics cookies (_ga, _gid, _gat)
• Facebook Pixel for understanding audience behavior

3.4 Advertising Cookies

These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. They perform functions like preventing the same ad from continuously reappearing, ensuring that ads are properly displayed for advertisers, and in some cases selecting advertisements that are based on your interests.

• Facebook advertising cookies
• Google Ads and DoubleClick cookies
• Other retargeting platform cookies

3.5 Social Media Cookies

These cookies are used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on our Websites through third-party social networking and other websites. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes.

• Facebook cookies for sharing and “Like” functionality
• Twitter cookies for sharing content

4. Specific Cookies We Use

Name	Provider	Purpose	Expiration	Type
_ga	Google Analytics	Used to distinguish users	2 years	Analytics
_gid	Google Analytics	Used to distinguish users	24 hours	Analytics
_gat	Google Analytics	Used to throttle request rate	1 minute	Analytics
fr	Facebook	Used for Facebook advertising	3 months	Advertising
_fbp	Facebook	Used by Facebook to deliver advertisements	3 months	Advertising
JSESSIONID	Website	Used for session management	Session	Essential
PHPSESSID	Website	Used for session management	Session	Essential

Note: This is not an exhaustive list and may be updated as we modify our Websites or as third-party services change their cookie usage.

5. How Can You Control Cookies?

5.1 Browser Controls

Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings preferences. However, if you limit the ability of websites to set cookies, you may worsen your overall user experience. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org for more information.

5.2 Browser-Specific Instructions

• Chrome: chrome://settings/cookies
• Edge: Settings > Site Permissions > Cookies and site data
• Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
• Opera: Settings > Advanced > Privacy & security > Site Settings > Cookies

5.3 Disabling Most Interest-Based Advertising

• Digital Advertising Alliance
• Network Advertising Initiative

5.4 Opting Out of Specific Services

• Google Analytics: Opt-out add-on
• Facebook: Ad Settings

5.5 Our Cookie Consent Tool

When you first visit our Websites, you will be presented with a cookie banner that allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking on the “Cookie Preferences” link in the footer of our Websites.

6. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers have a “Do Not Track” feature that signals to websites that you do not want to have your online activity tracked. Our Websites do not currently respond to “Do Not Track” signals. Learn more at www.allaboutdnt.com.

7. Cross-Border Data Transfers

Information collected via cookies may be processed in and transferred to countries other than your country of residence, including the United States. We take appropriate safeguards to ensure your personal information remains protected in accordance with this Cookie Policy.

8. Contact Us About Cookies

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or other technologies, please email us at steven@stevenlloyd.com.

9. Changes to the Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the cookies we use or for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons. Please re-visit this page regularly to stay informed.

Last Updated: April 12, 2025