The short version
Makerstead uses one sign-in cookie (so the bench knows it’s you when you come back), one theme preference stored in your browser (so it does not flash light when you wanted dark), a first-party visitor beacon to count visits on the public site, and a Meta pixelon public marketing pages so paid social visits can be measured. That’s the full list.
We do not run Google Analytics. We do not load third-party cross-site tracking. We do not embed advertising tags in signed-in app surfaces or in the maker’s bench.
Essential
Required for the site to log a maker in or to remember them between page loads. Without these, the bench does not work.
| Name | Vendor | Purpose | Type | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| better-auth session | Makerstead (better-auth) | Holds an authenticated maker's signed-in session. | HTTP-only cookie | 30 days, refreshed on each sign-in |
Functional
Remember a small preference so the site does not get jarring. These never leave the browser.
| Name | Vendor | Purpose | Type | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| theme | next-themes (browser only) | Stores the visitor's light / dark preference. | Browser localStorage | Until cleared by the visitor |
Analytics
A single first-party visitor beacon, used only to count visits to the public site. No IP addresses are stored, no per-user profile is built, no data leaves Makerstead.
| Name | Vendor | Purpose | Type | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| polsia_vid | Polsia (platform) | A first-party visitor identifier so repeat visits can be counted without cookies. | Browser localStorage | Until cleared by the visitor |
| Polsia beacon | Polsia (platform) | A single page-visit event on public routes (home, pricing, public care pages) so Makerstead can see how the site is used. | Outbound HTTP request (fire-and-forget) | Per page load |
Advertising
A Meta (Facebook / Instagram) pixel so Makerstead can measure which paid social visits converted. We display a banner on your first visit; click Accept all to load the pixel, Reject non-essential to keep it off, or Manage to flip the Advertising toggle. Your choice is stored on this device for one year — change it any time from the small pill in the bottom corner. The pixel only loads inside the public marketing site after you accept; the signed-in app surfaces never load it.
| Name | Vendor | Purpose | Type | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| advertising_opt_in | Makerstead (browser only) | Records whether you accepted or rejected the Meta pixel so the choice persists between visits. Not sent to any server. | Browser localStorage | 365 days, cleared when you clear site data |
| Meta Pixel (ID 1936147470383121) | Meta Platforms, Inc. | Counts paid social visits that reached the marketing site and any defined conversion events (sign-up start, subscription success). | Third-party cookie + pixel script | Up to 90 days (Meta's default) |
Vendor policies
For information on how each vendor handles the data they receive, see their published policy pages:
- Meta Platforms — Privacy Policy
- Makerstead’s platform-level analytics are absorbed into Makerstead’s own privacy contact and are not shared with a third-party analytics vendor.
How to control cookies in your browser
Every browser lets you reject or delete cookies at any time. The theme preference and the first-party visitor beacon both use browser localStorage rather than cookies, so clearing those requires clearing “site data” in the same panel. Block the Meta pixel by using your browser’s tracking-protection or by installing an extensions like the EFF’s Privacy Badger; the pixel will not load if it is blocked.
Questions or a cookie request
Email makerstead@polsia.app if a cookie appeared that is not listed here, or to ask for a per-request exclusion. The desk acknowledges within two business days.
Last updated: 2026-08-01