Privacy Policy — HostingRanked

1. Introduction

HostingRanked ("we", "us", or "our") operates the website www.hostingranked.com. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website. Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of the site.

2. Information We Collect

Information you provide directly

Account registration data (name, email address, password)
Reviews, comments, and suggested edits you submit
Contact form messages
Feedback you send us

Information collected automatically

IP address and browser type
Pages visited, time on site, and referral URLs
Device identifiers and operating system
Cookies and similar tracking technologies
Affiliate link click data

3. How We Use Your Information

To operate and maintain the website and your account
To display your reviews and contributions publicly
To send transactional emails (account creation, password reset)
To analyse site usage and improve content
To track affiliate link clicks for commission accounting
To detect and prevent fraudulent or abusive activity
To comply with legal obligations

4. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Keep you logged in to your account
Remember your preferences
Analyse traffic via Google Analytics
Track affiliate clicks

You can disable cookies in your browser settings. Some site features (such as staying logged in) will not work without cookies.

5. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect data about you:

Google Sign-In — if you log in with Google, Google shares your name, email, and profile picture with us per their privacy policy.
Google Analytics — anonymised page-view and behaviour analytics.
Hosting provider affiliate networks — we pass a click ID when you visit a provider via our affiliate link.

6. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data. We share data only:

With service providers who help operate the site (hosting, analytics), under confidentiality obligations
If required by law or to protect our legal rights
In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

7. Data Retention

We retain your account data for as long as your account is active. Reviews and public contributions may remain on the site even after account deletion, attributed to "Anonymous". You can request full removal by contacting us.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

Access the personal data we hold about you
Correct inaccurate data
Request deletion of your account and data
Object to or restrict certain processing
Data portability

To exercise any of these rights, email us at privacy@hostingranked.com.

9. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including HTTPS encryption, hashed passwords (bcrypt), and JWT-based authentication. No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Children's Privacy

HostingRanked is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe we have inadvertently done so, contact us and we will delete it promptly.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will post the revised policy with a new "last updated" date. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance.

12. Contact Us

Questions about this policy? Contact us at privacy@hostingranked.com or via our Contact page.