Last updated: 19 October 2026
The short version
- The game saves three small things in your browser so it works: your age answer, your guest name and (if you have an account) a sign-in code.
- These are needed for the game, so we don’t ask first. They never leave your device, except the sign-in code, which is sent to our game server to sign you in.
- Google, which provides our adverts, uses cookies. In the UK, EU and Switzerland you are asked first.
- You can change your choice at any time with “Privacy and cookie settings” at the bottom of the page.
What cookies and local storage are
Cookies and local storage are small bits of information that a website saves in your browser. They help a site remember things, like your settings. Under UK law (PECR) we can use storage that is strictly necessary for a service you ask for without asking. For anything else, such as advertising cookies, we must ask first.
On 4inarow.online (WordPress)
| Name | What it does | Who sets it | How long | Needs your consent? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
wordpress_test_cookie | Checks your browser accepts cookies. Normally only set on the login page. | Us (WordPress) | Until you close the browser | No (strictly necessary) |
comment_author_*, comment_author_email_*, comment_author_url_* | Remembers your details if you leave a comment and tick “save my details”. Only if comments are switched on. | Us (WordPress) | 1 year | Only set if you ask for it |
| Cookie of our cookie consent plugin (only if we use one as well as Google’s consent message) | Remembers your cookie choice | Us (consent plugin) | Up to 12 months | No (needed to remember your choice) |
Our SEO plugin (Yoast SEO) doesn’t set any cookies for visitors. If we add any other plugin that sets cookies, we will list it here.
When the game is shown inside one of our pages (in a frame), the game’s own storage below applies to it.
In the game (play.4inarow.online)
The game uses your browser’s local storage (not cookies). Our game server doesn’t set any cookies.
| Name | What it does | Who sets it | How long | Needs your consent? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
fir-age | Your answer to “How old are you?” (under 13, 13 to 17, or 18 or over). Turns accounts off for under-13s and sets the age tag on adverts. Never sent to our server. | Us | Until you change it or clear site data | No (needed to set the game up safely for your age) |
fir-name | The guest name you last typed, so you don’t have to type it again | Us | Until you change it or clear site data | No (needed for the game you asked to play) |
fir-token | Your sign-in code, so you stay signed in on this device. Only if you have an account. | Us | Until you sign out. It stops working after 90 days. | No (needed to keep you signed in) |
Google advertising cookies
Google sets these on its own web addresses (such as doubleclick.net) or on ours. Which ones are used depends on your choice and where you live. Common ones:
| Name | What it does | Who sets it | How long | Needs your consent? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FCCDCF, FCNEC | Remember your choice in Google’s consent message | Google (consent message) | Up to 13 months | No (needed to remember your choice) |
__gads, __gpi | Measure adverts and limit how often you see the same one | Up to 13 months | Yes in the UK, EU and Switzerland | |
__eoi | Security and fraud checks for adverts | Up to 6 months | Yes in the UK, EU and Switzerland | |
IDE, DSID, test_cookie | Personalised adverts and checking cookies work (doubleclick.net) | From 15 minutes up to 13 months | Yes |
Google’s full list: Cookies Google uses for advertising. See also How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services.
If you told the game you are under 13 (or haven’t answered yet), adverts in the game are tagged as for a child, so Google doesn’t use them to build an advertising profile. You can turn off personalised adverts at adssettings.google.com or www.aboutads.info.
Changing your choices
- Press Privacy and cookie settings at the bottom of any page to open the consent message again and change your answer.
- You can delete cookies and site data in your browser settings (look for “Privacy”, “Cookies” or “Site data”). This also clears your age answer and signs you out of the game.
- Most browsers can also block third-party cookies. The game still works if you do.
Questions? Email info@4inarow.online. See also our privacy notice.
Our own consent banner (while we set up)
While Google is still setting up adverts on this site, we show our own short cookie banner with two equal buttons, Accept and Reject. Until you press Accept, the advert code stays paused and asks for no adverts. If you press Reject, no adverts are requested at all, and everything on the site still works.
We remember your choice in your browser using a local storage item called consent-interim. It only stores “accepted” or “rejected” and the date, and it never leaves your device. Once Google’s certified consent message is live on this site, it replaces our banner automatically. You can change your choice at any time with the “Privacy and cookie settings” link at the bottom of every page.