This Cookie Policy explains how MyUniGist (“we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website myunigist.com (the “Site”). By using our Site, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.
Cookies typically contain:
- A unique identifier
- The name of the website that created it
- Some data values (like preferences or session information)
- An expiration date
Why We Use Cookies
MyUniGist uses cookies to:
- Understand how you use our Site and which content is most valuable
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Improve your browsing experience
- Display relevant advertisements through Google AdSense
- Analyze website traffic and user behavior
- Prevent fraud and enhance security
- Measure the effectiveness of our content
- Provide social sharing functionality
Types of Cookies We Use
1. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for our Site to function properly. They enable basic features and security functions. Without these cookies, some parts of the Site may not work.
What they do:
- Enable page navigation
- Provide access to secure areas
- Remember your actions within a session
- Prevent security threats
Duration: Session cookies (deleted when you close your browser)
2. Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Site by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve the Site’s performance and user experience.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to analyze how users interact with our Site. Google Analytics collects information such as:
- Which pages you visit and how long you stay
- How you arrived at our Site (search engine, direct visit, social media)
- Your location (city and country)
- Your device type and browser
- Which links you click
- Content engagement and scroll depth
This information helps us understand our Nigerian audience better and create more relevant content about admissions, scholarships, and opportunities.
Google Analytics Cookies:
- _ga (expires after 2 years)
- _gid (expires after 24 hours)
- _gat (expires after 1 minute)
To opt out of Google Analytics, install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
3. Advertising and Targeting Cookies
These cookies are used to deliver relevant advertisements and measure advertising effectiveness. They track your browsing activity to build a profile of your interests.
Google AdSense
MyUniGist displays advertisements through Google AdSense. Google uses cookies to:
- Show you ads based on your previous visits to our Site and other websites
- Prevent the same ad from appearing too frequently
- Measure how ads perform
- Detect and prevent click fraud
- Provide anonymized reports on ad impressions and interactions
Google DoubleClick Cookie
Google uses the DoubleClick cookie to enable personalized advertising (also called interest-based advertising). This means ads may be tailored to your interests based on your browsing history.
How Personalized Ads Work:
- You visit MyUniGist and read about JAMB cut-off marks
- A cookie notes your interest in education-related content
- When you visit other websites, you may see ads for educational services, exam prep courses, or study materials
- This helps advertisers show you relevant offers and helps us generate revenue to keep providing free content
Third-Party Advertising Partners
In addition to Google AdSense, we may work with other advertising networks that use cookies to display relevant ads.
4. Functionality Cookies
These cookies allow our Site to remember choices you make and provide enhanced features.
What they remember:
- Your preferred language
- Font size preferences
- Whether you’ve dismissed certain notifications
- Your location (if you’ve shared it)
Duration: Persistent cookies (remain on your device until deleted or expired)
5. Social Media Cookies
We use social media plugins that allow you to share content from MyUniGist on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and other platforms. These platforms may set cookies when you interact with their features.
Social platforms we integrate:
- Facebook (Share and Like buttons)
- Twitter (Tweet button)
- WhatsApp (Share button)
- LinkedIn (Share button)
These cookies may track your activity across multiple sites. Please review the privacy policies of these platforms for more information.
First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies
First-Party Cookies
These are cookies set directly by MyUniGist. They help us operate the Site and understand how you use it.
Third-Party Cookies
These are cookies set by external services like Google Analytics and Google AdSense. They help us analyze traffic and display relevant ads.
Third-party services we use:
- Google Analytics (website analytics)
- Google AdSense (advertising)
- Social media platforms (sharing functionality)
- Content delivery networks (faster page loading)
How Long Do Cookies Last?
Session Cookies
These temporary cookies are deleted when you close your browser. They help the Site function during your visit.
Persistent Cookies
These cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. They remember your preferences across visits.
Typical durations:
- Google Analytics cookies: Up to 2 years
- Google AdSense cookies: Up to 2 years
- Preference cookies: Up to 1 year
- Security cookies: Session or 24 hours
Managing and Controlling Cookies
Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
- View which cookies are stored on your device
- Delete cookies individually or all at once
- Block cookies from specific websites
- Block all cookies by default
- Set preferences for accepting cookies
How to manage cookies in popular browsers:
Google Chrome:
- Click the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
- Choose your preferred cookie settings
Mozilla Firefox:
- Click the menu button (☰) and select Options/Preferences
- Go to Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Adjust your cookie preferences
Safari (iOS/Mac):
- Go to Settings > Safari (on iOS) or Safari > Preferences (on Mac)
- Select Privacy > Block All Cookies or manage individual cookies
Microsoft Edge:
- Click the three dots (…) in the top-right corner
- Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and site permissions
- Manage your cookie settings
For detailed instructions, visit www.allaboutcookies.org
Opting Out of Personalized Advertising
You can opt out of personalized ads while still seeing advertisements on our Site:
Google Ads Settings:
- Visit www.google.com/settings/ads
- Turn off “Ads Personalization”
- You’ll still see ads, but they won’t be based on your interests
Industry Opt-Out Tools:
- Digital Advertising Alliance: http://optout.aboutads.info/
- Network Advertising Initiative: http://optout.networkadvertising.org/
Mobile Device Settings
Mobile devices offer settings to limit ad tracking:
iOS (iPhone/iPad):
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Advertising
- Turn on “Limit Ad Tracking”
Android:
- Go to Settings > Google > Ads
- Turn on “Opt out of Ads Personalization”
Impact of Disabling Cookies
If you disable cookies, you may experience:
- Loss of personalized features
- Need to re-enter preferences on each visit
- Some website features may not work properly
- Less relevant advertising
- Repeated notifications or pop-ups
However, you will still be able to access and read most content on MyUniGist.
Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers have a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that signals websites you don’t want your online activity tracked. Currently, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals.
At this time, MyUniGist does not respond to DNT signals. However, you can use the opt-out methods described above to control cookies and advertising.
Cookies and Nigerian Users
As a platform serving Nigerian students, we understand data costs and device limitations. Our cookies are designed to:
- Be as small as possible to minimize data usage
- Not slow down Site performance on slower connections
- Provide value by improving your experience
Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or our practices. We will post updates on this page with a new “Last Updated” date.
Significant changes may be announced through:
- A notice on our homepage
- Email notification (if you’re subscribed)
- Social media announcements