How Optimization Theory collects, uses, and protects your information when you visit optimizationtheory.com, use our free SEO tools, buy from our shop, or work with us.
We collect only what we need to run the site, answer your questions, deliver our services, and fulfill orders. We use analytics to understand how the site performs. We never sell your personal information, and you can ask us to access, correct, or delete your data at any time.
01. Who We Are
Optimization Theory ("Optimization Theory," "we," "us," or "our") is an SEO, Generative Engine Optimization, and web development consultancy based in Cooperstown, New York, USA. This policy applies to optimizationtheory.com and any pages, tools, forms, and shop features on it (the "Site"). By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here.
02. Information We Collect
Name, email address, phone number, company name, website URL, and anything you include when you contact us, request a quote, book a consultation, or place an order (such as billing and shipping details).
IP address, browser and device type, operating system, referring pages, pages viewed, time on page, approximate location (city or region level), and similar usage data gathered through cookies and analytics tools.
Limited information from analytics, advertising, payment, and social platforms you interact with, such as order confirmations from payment processors or campaign data from ad platforms.
03. How We Use Your Information
- >Respond to inquiries, quote requests, and consultation bookings
- >Deliver SEO, GEO, web design, and marketing services to clients
- >Process, fulfill, and support shop orders, returns, and exchanges
- >Operate and improve the Site and our free SEO tools
- >Understand traffic and content performance through analytics
- >Measure advertising, where you have consented to marketing cookies
- >Protect the Site from spam, fraud, abuse, and security threats
- >Comply with legal, tax, and accounting obligations
04. Cookies & Tracking
Cookies are small files stored in your browser. When you first visit, our cookie banner lets you choose which categories to allow. You can change your choices at any time through the cookie settings link or your browser settings.
| Category | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Functional | Required for the Site to work, such as security, cart, checkout, and saving your consent choices. Always on. |
| Preferences | Remember settings you choose so the Site works the way you like. |
| Statistics | Help us understand how visitors use the Site, for example through Google Analytics. |
| Marketing | Measure and improve advertising, for example through Google Ads. Only set with your consent. |
You can learn how Google uses data at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites and opt out of Google Analytics with the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. We honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals where required by law.
05. Free SEO Tools
Our free interactive tools, including the AI Citation Trace, PageRank Simulator, Black Hat SEO Terminal, and Instant SEO Quote, may process the URLs, keywords, text, or answers you enter so they can return results.
Please do not enter passwords, payment details, or sensitive personal information into any tool. Some tools may send your input to trusted third-party data or AI providers to generate results. If you submit your contact details through a quote tool, we use them only to follow up on your request.
06. Orders & Payments
When you buy from our shop, we collect the details needed to complete your order, such as your name, email, billing address, shipping address, and order history. Payments are handled by secure third-party payment processors, and we never see or store your full card number. Some products are made to order by print-on-demand fulfillment partners, who receive only the information needed to produce and ship your item.
07. How We Share Information
We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share it only with service providers who help us run the business, and only as needed:
- >Website hosting, security, and maintenance providers
- >Analytics and advertising platforms such as Google
- >Email and business productivity tools
- >Payment processors, shipping carriers, and fulfillment partners
- >SEO data and AI providers that power our tools and client work
We may also disclose information if required by law, to protect our rights or the safety of others, or as part of a business transfer such as a merger or sale.
08. Data Retention
We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes in this policy. Inquiry and client records are kept for the length of our relationship plus a reasonable period after. Order records are kept as long as tax and accounting rules require. Analytics data is retained according to our analytics settings, after which it is deleted or anonymized.
09. Data Security
The Site uses HTTPS encryption, and we use reasonable technical and organizational safeguards to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security, but we work to keep your data protected and will notify you of a breach where the law requires.
10. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on where you live, including California and other U.S. states, the European Economic Area, and the United Kingdom, you may have the right to:
Get a copy of your data
Fix inaccurate data
Ask us to erase your data
Of targeted advertising
Limit how we process it
At any time
To make a request, email us at the address below. We will verify your identity and respond within the time required by law, and we will never discriminate against you for exercising your rights. If you are in the EEA or UK, our legal bases for processing are your consent, the performance of a contract, our legitimate interests in running and improving our business, and compliance with legal obligations. You also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority. Because we are based in the United States, your information is processed there.
11. Children's Privacy
The Site is not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 in the EEA and UK), and we do not knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
12. Third-Party Links
The Site links to other websites, social platforms, and resources we do not control, including our partner properties. We are not responsible for their privacy practices, so please review their policies before sharing information with them.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy as our services, tools, or legal requirements change. When we do, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. Significant changes may also be highlighted on the Site.
14. Contact Us
Questions about this policy or your data? Reach out anytime.
