Useful Social Media (“we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit usefulsocialmedia.com (the “Site”), how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have.
By using the Site, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please stop using the Site.
For the purposes of data protection law, Useful Social Media is the data controller responsible for your personal information.
Information We Collect
We collect two types of information: information you give us directly, and information collected automatically when you use the Site.
Information You Provide
You share this information with us by choice, for example when you:
- Subscribe to our newsletter: We collect your email address, and your name if the form asks for it.
- Use our contact form: We collect your name, email address, and the content of your message.
- Leave a comment: We collect your name, email address, comment content, and the IP address used to post it.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit the Site, some data is collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies, including:
- Log data: Your IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, the pages you visit, the time you spend on them, and the website that referred you.
- Usage data: How you move through and interact with the Site.
- Cookie data: Small files stored on your device, explained in the next section.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
A cookie is a small text file that a website stores on your device to remember information about your visit. We use both first-party cookies (set by us) and third-party cookies (set by services we work with).
We use cookies for these purposes:
- Essential cookies: Needed for the Site to work properly.
- Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors use the Site so we can improve it.
- Advertising cookies: Used by ad partners to show relevant ads and measure performance.
- Preference cookies: Remember your settings and choices.
You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. If you disable certain cookies, some parts of the Site may not work as intended.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve the Site
- Send our newsletter and respond to your messages
- Display and measure advertising
- Understand how visitors use the Site through analytics
- Detect, prevent, and address fraud or security issues
- Comply with our legal obligations
Advertising and Third-Party Vendors
This Site displays advertising, and we use third-party advertising partners to serve those ads.
Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this Site and other websites. Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to show ads to you based on your visits.
You can opt out of personalized advertising from Google by visiting your Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of cookies from many third-party vendors by visiting aboutads.info/choices or youronlinechoices.eu if you are in the EU.
Note: This section reflects use of Google AdSense. If you switch to a managed ad provider such as Mediavine or Raptive, update this section to name that provider and link to their privacy policy and data-processing terms.
Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors find and use the Site. Google Analytics collects information such as your IP address (often anonymized), the pages you view, and how long you stay.
This data helps us improve our content. You can read how Google handles data in the Google Privacy Policy, and you can opt out of Google Analytics using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Newsletter and Email Marketing
We use an email service provider [Beehiiv / ConvertKit] to manage our newsletter and send emails. When you subscribe, your email address is stored with that provider so we can send you updates.
You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of any email we send. Once you unsubscribe, we stop sending you marketing emails.
Affiliate Links
This Site contains affiliate links. When you click one and make a purchase, the affiliate partner may set a cookie on your device to track the referral and credit us with a commission.
We do not control these cookies, and they are governed by the partner’s own privacy policy. You can read more about our affiliate relationships on our Disclaimer page.
How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information.
We share information only in these limited situations:
- With service providers: Companies that help us run the Site, such as our hosting provider, email platform, analytics tools, and advertising partners. They may only use your data to provide their service to us.
- For legal reasons: When required by law, court order, or to protect our rights, users, or the public.
- In a business transfer: If the Site is sold or merged, your information may be part of the transferred assets.
Your Privacy Rights
If You Are in the EU or UK (GDPR)
Under the General Data Protection Regulation, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Ask us to correct inaccurate data
- Ask us to delete your data
- Restrict or object to how we process your data
- Receive your data in a portable format
- Withdraw consent at any time
We process your data on these legal bases: your consent, our legitimate interests in running the Site, and our legal obligations. You also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority.
If You Are in California (CCPA/CPRA)
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, you have the right to:
- Know what personal information we collect and how we use it
- Request deletion of your personal information
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information
- Receive equal service and pricing when you exercise these rights
We do not sell your personal information.
How to Exercise Your Rights
To make any request listed above, email us at [[email protected]]. We will respond within the time required by the relevant law.
Data Retention
We keep your personal information only as long as we need it for the purposes described in this policy, or as long as the law requires.
For example, we keep newsletter subscriber data until you unsubscribe, and we keep comment data for as long as the comment stays published.
Data Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmitting or storing data over the internet is fully secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
International Data Transfers
We operate online, and the services we use may store and process data on servers located in different countries. This means your personal information may be transferred to and processed in a country with data protection laws that differ from those in your own country.
Children’s Privacy
The Site is not directed at children under the age of 13 (or 16 in some regions), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.
Third-Party Links
The Site links to other websites that we do not own or control. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of every site you visit.
Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” signal. Because there is no agreed industry standard for how to respond to these signals, the Site does not currently respond to them.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page.
We encourage you to review this page periodically. Continued use of the Site after any change means you accept the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Website: usefulsocialmedia.com