Cookies and Similar Technologies

Yahoo may use cookies and similar technologies (e.g. mobile device identifiers) when you use our brands, websites, apps, advertising services, products, services or technologies (“Services”) or visit a website, app, or service that utilizes our Services. A cookie is a small piece of information that is stored on a computer or device and may contain a device identifier for the purpose of recognizing your browser as you interact with websites. Device identifiers may be randomly generated or assembled from available system elements such as IP address, browser version, OS type and version, device type and settings, mobile device and advertising identifiers (such as Apple’s ID for Advertising, Apple's ID for Vendors, Google’s Android ID, or Google's Play Store Ad ID), wireless mobile subscriber ISDN numbers, Verizon Wireless UIDH, public switched telephone network information, mobile network information or software data. Cookies, device identifiers, and similar technologies may be used to support Yahoo Services, such as applying user preferences, providing more customized experiences, such as personalized content and advertising, and to associate users, devices, and accounts with each other or with those in a similar location, such as in a household.

Cookies and similar technologies addressed on this page may be considered technical identifiers. Please refer to our Technical Identifiers page for additional information on Yahoo’s collection, use, and linking of technical identifiers.

Yahoo's practices regarding cookies and similar technologies

Yahoo may use cookies and similar technologies in combination with other information we maintain for a number of purposes, including to:

  • Access your information when you ‘sign in’ so we can provide you with customised content and experiences, or remember the last page you visited in a Yahoo Service. 
    • Information that Yahoo collects relating to your activities and interests is maintained by Yahoo and is associated with Yahoo cookies and similar technologies. You can learn more about Yahoo’s data retention and storage practices here.
  • Maintain your settings and authenticate your identity while you are logged in using Yahoo Services. 
    • When you log in to your Yahoo account(“Yahoo Account”), a cookie and/or device identifier that links to information about your interests is placed or read on the computer or device that you are using. This allows Yahoo to associate your interests, activities, preferences and prior Yahoo use if you log in to your Yahoo account on or otherwise use multiple devices. This means that your browsing habits or other activity on your work computer, library computer or other device can inform your experience on Yahoo when using your home computer or other devices. 
  • Deliver advertisements and content relevant to your interests. 
    • Yahoo collects and maintains information about your interests based on your use of the Yahoo Services, other sites, apps and services within the Yahoo Network, as well as other non-Yahoo sites, apps and services that we partner with. Yahoo may combine this information with other information we collect or receive about you.
  • Provide analytics and reporting. 
    • Yahoo Analytics, Advertising Insights and Flurry are systems used by Yahoo to collect information about visitors to Yahoo's and our customers' sites, apps, products, brands and services to understand how people use those services and respond to the ads we serve.
  • Maintain information in both identifiable and de-identified forms. 
    • Yahoo associates your observed interests and activities with your Yahoo account, and may combine this information with other information we have collected about you.
    • Conduct research and measure effectiveness to improve Yahoo's Services (including by determining which Yahoo emails you open and act upon).
  • To support security measures, such as requiring re-logging in to a Yahoo product or service after a certain amount of time has elapsed.
  • To assist in identifying possible fraudulent or abusive activities.

Other companies' cookies on Yahoo

  • In addition to Yahoo using cookies and similar technologies on our Services, we allow certain Third parties to set or access their cookies and similar technologies on your device. These companies’ use of cookies and similar technologies is subject to their own privacy policies, not the Yahoo Privacy Policy.

Your Choices

Learn more about your choices.