Advertisements
1. Ad-Supported Model
BidWatch is a free tool. To keep it free and cover running costs (server hosting, API access, development), BidWatch displays advertisements. Ad revenue helps sustain the service so it can remain available to everyone at no charge.
2. What Ads Are Shown
BidWatch displays ads served by Google AdSense. These ads may appear as banners or other standard ad formats within the app interface. The content of the ads is determined by Google and is not controlled by BidWatch.
Google AdSense uses cookies and similar technologies to serve ads. These include:
- __gads / __gpi - Used for ad personalisation and measuring ad interactions
- IDE (DoubleClick) - Used for cross-site ad serving and frequency capping (retained for up to 13 months)
- test_cookie (DoubleClick) - Checks whether your browser supports cookies
- NID - Stores preferences and helps customise ads (retained for up to 6 months)
You can learn more about how Google uses your data at Google's Advertising Policies. You can opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings.
3. Consent Management
BidWatch uses Google's built-in Consent Management Platform (CMP) to comply with data protection laws including GDPR and UK GDPR.
If you are located in the EU, EEA, or United Kingdom, a consent dialog will be presented on your first visit, offering three choices:
- Consent - Personalised ads are shown using cookies based on your browsing history
- Do not consent - Ads are still shown but are not personalised. Only limited cookies for frequency capping and fraud prevention may be set
- Manage options - Granular control over specific consent categories
You can change your consent choice at any time by clearing your browser cookies, which will cause the consent dialog to appear again on your next visit.
Users outside the EU/EEA/UK may not see the consent dialog but can manage their ad preferences via Google Ads Settings.
4. Ad Blockers
BidWatch detects the use of ad-blocking software. If an ad blocker is detected, a notification will appear informing you that ads help support the service. A short trial period is provided to continue using BidWatch with your ad blocker enabled.
After the trial period expires, you will need to disable your ad blocker to continue using BidWatch. This policy exists because ad revenue is the primary way BidWatch is funded.
Importing data voids the trial. To prevent abuse of the ad blocker trial system, importing a backup will immediately end any active trial. This applies regardless of the trial status in the imported file.
5. Data & Privacy in Advertising
Google AdSense is a third-party service that independently sets cookies on your browser. BidWatch does not control what data Google collects through these cookies and does not receive any personal data from Google AdSense.
BidWatch does not share any of your watchlist data, settings, or browsing behaviour with advertisers. Your auction data remains entirely local to your browser.
For more details on how your data is handled, see our Privacy Policy. For information about Google's data practices, see Google's Privacy Policy and How Google uses information from sites that use their services.
6. Premium Ad-Free Option
A premium subscription for an ad-free experience may be introduced in the future. If and when this becomes available, it will be entirely optional. All core features of BidWatch will remain free regardless of subscription status.
7. Ad Content Disclaimer
BidWatch is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or claims made in any advertisements displayed on the platform. Ads are served by Google AdSense and do not represent endorsements by BidWatch. If you encounter an inappropriate or misleading ad, you can report it directly to Google by clicking the "X" or info icon on the ad, or by visiting Google's Ad Feedback page.
8. Changes
This advertisement policy may be updated from time to time. Continued use of BidWatch after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.