Privacy Policy
Last updated: July 10, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how The Guru Index ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses, and protects information when you use our website (the "Site"). By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here.
1. Information we collect
- Email address: only if you choose to subscribe to our newsletter or digest. We collect the email address you submit (and nothing else from that form).
- Usage and analytics data: if you consent to analytics cookies, we collect information such as pages visited, time on page, approximate location (country/city level), device and browser type, and referring source, via Google Analytics 4.
- Technical data: standard server logs from our hosting provider (e.g. IP address, request time) used for security and reliability.
We do not knowingly collect information from children, and we do not ask for sensitive personal information.
2. How we use your information
- to send you the newsletter or digest you subscribed to;
- to understand how the Site is used so we can improve content and performance (analytics);
- to maintain the security, integrity, and reliability of the Site;
- to comply with legal obligations.
3. Legal bases (where GDPR / UK GDPR applies)
- Consent: for sending you marketing emails and for setting analytics cookies. You can withdraw consent at any time.
- Legitimate interests: for basic security and the reliable operation of the Site.
4. Cookies and analytics
We use cookies and similar technologies. Non-essential cookies (including Google Analytics 4) are only set after you give consent via our cookie banner. You can change or withdraw your choice at any time. For details on the specific cookies we use, see our Cookie Policy.
Google Analytics is provided by Google LLC. Information collected may be processed on servers outside your country. You can learn more in Google's Privacy Policy, and you can opt out using the Google Analytics opt-out add-on.
5. Service providers we share data with
We don't sell your personal information. We share limited data with the providers that run the Site:
- Cloudflare: website hosting and content delivery.
- MailerLite: newsletter sign-up and email delivery (your newsletter email is stored in our MailerLite account).
- Web3Forms: processing "Nominate a guru" form submissions (the channel details you enter, and your email if you choose to include it).
- Google (Google Analytics 4): website analytics, only with your consent.
These providers process data on our behalf and are bound by their own privacy and security commitments.
6. YouTube API Services
The Guru Index uses YouTube API Services. There are two places this happens, and neither one touches your Google account.
- Embedded videos. Product, brand, guru, and procedure pages embed the YouTube player so you can watch the moment a reviewer gives their take. The player is operated by Google, and when you play a video Google may collect information about that playback and may show advertising inside the player. We don't control either. We embed through YouTube's privacy-enhanced mode (youtube-nocookie.com), which limits the cookies YouTube sets on your device unless you press play.
- Publishing our own videos. We use YouTube API Services to upload our own short videos to our own YouTube channel. The only data this touches is ours: the video file and its title, description, and tags.
We do not access, collect, or store any information from your Google or YouTube account, and we never ask you to sign in with Google to use the Site. We hold no YouTube user data. If you believe we hold data about you, email us at [email protected] and we will delete it within 30 days.
Google's handling of any information collected through YouTube API Services is governed by the Google Privacy Policy. If you have ever granted an application access to your Google account, you can review and revoke that access at Google's security settings page. By using the Site you also agree to be bound by the YouTube Terms of Service.
7. Data retention
We keep your email address until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete it. Analytics data is retained according to our Google Analytics settings (by default, up to 14 months).
8. Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or port your personal data, to object to or restrict its processing, and to withdraw consent. To exercise any of these rights, email us at [email protected]. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data-protection authority.
If you are a California resident, you have the right to know what personal information we collect, to request deletion, and not to be discriminated against for exercising your rights. We do not sell personal information.
9. Unsubscribing
Every email we send includes an unsubscribe link. You can opt out at any time, and we will stop sending you the newsletter.
10. Data security
We use reputable providers and reasonable technical measures to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we work to safeguard your data.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes take effect when posted here, and we will update the "Last updated" date above.
12. Contact
Questions or requests about your privacy? Email us at [email protected].