What are cookies
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device when you visit them. They are stored by your browser and sent back to the website on subsequent visits. Cookies allow websites to remember your preferences, understand how you use the site, and in some cases deliver personalised content.
This policy explains what cookies Utility Matchmaker uses, why we use them, and how you can control them.
Your consent
When you first visit this site, a cookie banner will appear asking for your consent to set non-essential cookies. You can choose to:
Accept all cookies: this enables analytics and performance cookies alongside essential cookies.
Accept essential only: this disables all non-essential cookies while keeping the site fully functional.
Manage preferences: this allows you to choose which categories of cookie you accept.
You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the Cookie settings link in the footer of any page on this site.
Essential cookies do not require your consent as they are strictly necessary for the site to function.
Cookies we use
Essential cookies (always active)
These cookies are strictly necessary for the site to work correctly. They cannot be disabled through the cookie banner.
| Cookie name | Set by | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| um_cookie_consent | Utility Matchmaker | Stores your cookie consent preferences | 12 months |
| __vercel_live_token | Vercel | Required for site delivery and load balancing | Session |
| _vercel_jwt | Vercel | Security token for protected routes | Session |
Essential cookies do not collect any personal data beyond what is technically necessary to deliver the site.
Analytics cookies (require consent)
These cookies help us understand how visitors use the site. All data is anonymised and aggregated. We cannot identify individual visitors from analytics data.
Google Analytics 4
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number | 2 years |
| _ga_[ID] | Used to persist session state | 2 years |
| _gid | Distinguishes users and stores a unique value for each page visited | 24 hours |
| _gat | Used to throttle request rate | 1 minute |
Google Analytics is operated by Google LLC. IP anonymisation is enabled. Data may be processed outside the UK under Google's standard contractual clauses.
Microsoft Clarity
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| _clsk | Connects multiple page views by a user into a single session recording | 24 hours |
| _clck | Persists the Clarity User ID and preferences | 12 months |
| CLID | Identifies the first time Clarity saw this user | 12 months |
| MUID | Identifies unique web browsers visiting Microsoft sites | 13 months |
| SM | Used to synchronise the MUID across Microsoft domains | Session |
Microsoft Clarity is operated by Microsoft Corporation.
Preference cookies (require consent)
| Cookie name | Set by | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| um_prefs | Utility Matchmaker | Remembers display or layout preferences if set | 12 months |
Third-party cookies (set after click-through)
When you click through to our partner comparison platform at TheEnergyShop, their site may set its own cookies on your device. These cookies are entirely outside our control and are governed by TheEnergyShop's own cookie policy. We do not set any cookies through the partner link itself. Cookies are only set once you have arrived on their domain.
What we do not do
We do not use cookies to:
Identify you personally by name, email, or address.
Track your activity across other websites.
Build advertising profiles.
Serve targeted or behavioural advertising.
Share your cookie data with energy suppliers or any commercial third party for marketing purposes.
How to manage cookies
Through our cookie banner
When you first visit the site, use the cookie banner to select your preferences. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking Cookie settings in the footer.
Through your browser
All major browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically view, block, or delete cookies stored by any website.
Browser-specific guidance:
Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies
Firefox: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies
Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions
Google Analytics opt-out
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
Microsoft Clarity opt-out
Microsoft provides a privacy dashboard at account.microsoft.com/privacy where you can manage data Microsoft holds about your browser.
Changes to this policy
We may update this cookie policy when we add or change the services we use, or when cookie legislation changes. The effective date at the top of this page will be updated when changes are made.
Contact us
If you have any questions about how we use cookies, contact us using the form at /contact
Utility Matchmaker is a trading name of IOM Digital Design Limited, registered in the Isle of Man.