1. Overview
This Cookies Policy explains how cookies function on the Creative Connects website, what types are used, why they are stored, and how long they remain active. Cookies support essential site operations, improve performance, enable preferences, and assist with analytics and marketing attribution.
2. What Cookies Are
Cookies are small text files saved on your device. They help maintain critical functionality, remember settings, analyze traffic patterns, and support marketing measurement.
3. Categories of Cookies
Essential Cookies
Support necessary site functions such as security, navigation, cart, and checkout.
Duration: Up to 2 years.
Preferences Cookies
Store language, region, and display settings for personalization.
Duration: Around 1 year.
Analytics Cookies
Provide anonymous insights on visitor behavior, site performance, and attribution.
Duration: 1–2 years.
Marketing Cookies
Measure ad performance, traffic sources, and cross-site attribution.
Duration: 3–12 months.
Consent Log Cookies
Record user consent for compliance and audits.
Duration: Permanent (admin-side).
4. Core Shopify Session & Identity Cookies
| COOKIE | PURPOSE | VALIDITY |
|---|---|---|
| _merchant_essential | Supports merchant-level configuration required for core functionality. | Session – few hours |
| _shopify_essential / shopify_essential | Required for navigation, cart stability, and security verification. | Session – 2 years |
| _shopify_y | Anonymous unique analytics identifier for returning visitors. | 1 year |
| _shopify_s | Tracks the active session for analytics. | 30 minutes |
| _shopify_analytics | Tracks events and visitor behavior for performance and reporting. | 30 minutes – 1 year |
| cart | Stores cart ID to maintain cart items. | ~14 days |
| keep_alive | Maintains session continuity while browsing. | 30 minutes – 2 hours |
| localization | Saves language, region, and country settings. | 14 days – 1 year |
| is_shopify_merchant | Identifies whether the visitor previously accessed Shopify Admin. | 2 years |
| skip_shop_pay | Stores the user's choice to skip the Shop Pay prompt. | 1 year |
| cart_currency | Stores the selected cart currency for consistent pricing. | 30 days |
5. Shopify Analytics & Fraud Prevention Cookies
| COOKIE | PURPOSE | VALIDITY |
|---|---|---|
| FPID / FPAU / FPLC | First-party analytics identifiers used for attribution and fraud detection. | 13 months |
| li_fat_id_s | Supports LinkedIn Ads attribution through Shopify’s integrations. | 30 days |
| mto_lint / mto_pvs | Internal performance and monitoring metrics. | 30 minutes |
| v:a:3 | Assigns users into A/B testing variations. | 1 month |
6. Marketing Attribution Cookies
| COOKIE | PURPOSE | VALIDITY |
|---|---|---|
| utm_campaign / utm_source / utm_medium | Store ad-campaign parameters for attribution and conversion tracking. | 30 days |
7. Managing Cookies
You may control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they are required for basic site operations.
8. Updates to This Policy
This policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or Shopify’s platform.
