GradeNeeded
Cookie Policy
How GradeNeeded uses cookies, browser storage, and service workers — and how you can control them.
What cookies are
Cookies are small text files stored in your browser when you visit a website. GradeNeeded also uses browser localStorage and a service worker, which store data locally on your device. These technologies are used to operate the site, support push notifications, remember your preferences, and understand how the product is used.
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are required for the site to function and cannot be disabled. They include session cookies set by Clerk for authentication, sign-in, and CSRF protection. Without these, account features would not work.
Service worker
GradeNeeded registers a service worker script in your browser when you visit the site. The service worker is a background script that enables browser push notifications for due-date reminders. It does not track your activity, store personal data, or operate when the service worker is not invoked. You can unregister the service worker through your browser's developer tools at any time, though doing so will disable push notifications. If you have never enabled push notifications in Settings, the service worker remains idle.
Analytics cookies
GradeNeeded uses Google Analytics 4 with Consent Mode v2 and may use PostHog for product analytics. Analytics collection is denied by default for all users. If you accept analytics cookies via the consent banner or Your Privacy Choices page, analytics services may set cookies or local identifiers that associate your visit activity with a device or account identifier, including pages viewed, time on site, general location region (country/city from IP), device type, and referral source. GradeNeeded does not send grades, assignments, private notes, or full planner records to analytics tools. If you decline, optional analytics cookies are not set and PostHog analytics collection is disabled. Your consent choice is stored locally in your browser.
Optional support chat
If Crisp support chat is configured, GradeNeeded loads it only after optional cookies are accepted. If loaded, Crisp may process chat messages, device information, and the signed-in user's name or email address so support can respond. Do not send passwords, student IDs, official records, or other sensitive information through chat.
Preference and functional storage
GradeNeeded uses browser localStorage to store your cookie consent choice, temporary UI state, signed-out planner drafts, and non-critical preferences. This data stays in your browser and is not transmitted to GradeNeeded servers.
Advertising cookies
GradeNeeded may show ads through Google AdSense on public pages for free-tier users. Google AdSense uses cookies to serve relevant ads based on your browsing activity only when advertising consent is enabled. Ads are fully suppressed for Premium and Ultra subscribers and for users GradeNeeded identifies as high school students. GradeNeeded does not serve personalized advertising to users it knows to be under 18. Under some privacy laws, advertising cookies may be considered sharing personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. You can opt out by declining optional cookies, using the Your Privacy Choices page, enabling a supported Global Privacy Control signal, or visiting Google's Ad Settings (g.co/adsettings). Advertising scripts and ad slots are only active after optional cookies are accepted and the AdSense integration is enabled.
Third-party cookies
Some services used by GradeNeeded may set their own cookies or similar browser storage. This includes Clerk (authentication), Stripe (payment processing), Google Analytics and PostHog (analytics when consent is enabled), Crisp (support chat when configured and optional cookies are accepted), Resend (email delivery), and Google AdSense (advertising when consent is enabled, free tier only). Push notifications are delivered via browser push infrastructure (Google FCM or Mozilla Push Service depending on your browser), which process your push subscription endpoint but do not set cookies on GradeNeeded pages. These services operate under their own privacy policies.
Managing and declining cookies
You can decline optional analytics, advertising, and support chat cookies using the banner shown on your first visit, the Your Privacy Choices page, a supported Global Privacy Control signal, or your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block, delete, or review cookies. Declining optional cookies does not affect your ability to use GradeNeeded or any paid features, though some free public pages may show less relevant ads, limited measurement, or no embedded support chat. To reset your consent choice, visit Your Privacy Choices or clear your browser's local storage for this site. To disable push notifications, visit Settings and toggle off browser push notifications.
Policy updates
This cookie policy may be updated as GradeNeeded adds or changes features. Continued use of GradeNeeded after a policy update constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. Last updated: May 25, 2026.