Cookie Policy
Last Updated: November 10, 2025
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, smartphone) when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences, improve your experience, and provide analytics to website operators.
NEXT Career Intelligence ("NEXT", "we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our platform. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies we use, why we use them, and how you can control them.
2. Types of Cookies We Use
We use different types of cookies for different purposes:
2.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)
These cookies are required for our platform to function properly. Without them, core features like login and navigation would not work.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
next_session | Maintains your login session | 7 days |
auth_token | Authenticates your account access | 30 days |
csrf_token | Prevents cross-site request forgery attacks | Session |
cookie_consent | Remembers your cookie preferences | 1 year |
Note: Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they are necessary for platform functionality.
2.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how users interact with our platform, allowing us to improve performance and user experience.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics: Distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
_ga_* | Google Analytics: Stores session state | 2 years |
next_analytics | Tracks feature usage and performance metrics | 1 year |
2.3 Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
theme_preference | Remembers dark mode / light mode preference | 1 year |
language_pref | Stores your preferred language | 1 year |
dashboard_layout | Saves your custom dashboard configuration | 6 months |
2.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies (Currently Not Used)
We currently do not use marketing or advertising cookies. If we choose to use them in the future, we will update this policy and obtain your consent.
3. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies are placed by third-party services we use to enhance our platform:
3.1 Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how users interact with our platform. Google Analytics sets cookies to collect information such as:
- Number of visitors and sessions
- Pages visited and time spent
- User demographics (age range, location)
- Device and browser information
Learn more: Google Privacy Policy
3.2 Stripe (Payment Processing)
Stripe sets cookies when you make a payment to detect fraud and ensure secure transactions.
Learn more: Stripe Privacy Policy
3.3 Intercom (Customer Support)
Intercom sets cookies to provide live chat support and remember your conversation history.
Learn more: Intercom Privacy Policy
4. Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies to:
- Authentication: Keep you logged in securely
- Security: Detect and prevent fraud, protect against attacks
- Performance: Analyze platform performance and identify bugs
- Personalization: Remember your preferences (theme, language)
- Analytics: Understand user behavior to improve features
- User Experience: Provide seamless navigation and functionality
5. How to Manage Cookies
5.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit NEXT, you'll see a cookie consent banner. You can choose to:
- Accept All: Allow all cookies (essential, analytics, functional)
- Essential Only: Only allow cookies necessary for platform functionality
- Customize: Choose which cookie categories to allow
You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer.
5.2 Browser Settings
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- View and delete cookies
- Block all cookies
- Block third-party cookies only
- Clear cookies when you close your browser
Browser-specific instructions:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data (Learn more)
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data (Learn more)
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data (Learn more)
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions (Learn more)
Important: Blocking or deleting essential cookies may impact platform functionality.
5.3 Opt-Out of Analytics
To opt-out of Google Analytics across all websites:
- Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
- Enable "Do Not Track" in your browser settings
6. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals websites not to track your browsing activity. We currently do not respond to DNT signals, as there is no industry-wide standard for handling them.
However, you can use our cookie consent banner and browser settings to control tracking on NEXT.
7. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about our cookie usage.
8. Contact Us
If you have questions about our cookie practices, please contact us:
NEXT Career Intelligence
Email: privacy@nextcareer.ai
Support: hello@nextcareer.ai
Response Time: Within 3-5 business days
This Cookie Policy was last updated on November 10, 2025. By continuing to use NEXT Career Intelligence, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.