How to publish and link a privacy policy
A linked privacy policy is required by most ad networks and analytics tools, and it is a basic trust signal for visitors and AI engines. Write a policy that names the data you collect and why, then link it in the footer of every page.
By ratemysite.ai editorial team. Updated .
How do you fix it?
- List the personal data your site collects: analytics, forms, cookies, payments and email signups.
- Write a policy that states what you collect, why, how long you keep it, who you share it with and how people can ask for deletion.
- Publish it at a stable address such as /privacy and add the link to the footer of every page.
- Update the policy and its date whenever you add a new tool or data use.
- Re-run the audit and confirm the Privacy policy check passes.
What is a privacy policy?
A privacy policy is a public document that explains what personal data a website collects and what it does with it. Laws such as the GDPR in Europe and the CCPA in California require one for most sites that collect data, and ad networks and analytics providers make it a condition of use. Visitors also read it as a sign of a legitimate operator. A missing policy can lead to rejected ad applications and lost trust. The GDPR has applied since 2018, and the CCPA took effect in 2020.
What should it say?
Cover six points: what data you collect, why, which services receive it, how long you keep it, what rights visitors have, and how to contact you. Use plain language, not copied legal boilerplate. Mention cookies and name your main tools, such as your analytics provider. Put the last updated date at the top, and link the policy from the footer and from every form that collects data. Review it at least once a year or whenever you add a tracking or marketing tool.
How much does this check matter?
- This check is worth about 1.7% of the overall score.
- A finished report is reused for 24 hours before you can re-analyze it.
- Each page is fetched with a timeout of 10 seconds, and HTML larger than 2 MB is not audited.
What else do people ask?
- Do I need a policy if I only run analytics?
- Yes. Analytics tools use cookies or identifiers, and rules like GDPR and CCPA require you to disclose that, plus most analytics terms of service.
- Can I copy a template?
- A template is a fair start, but edit it to match what your site really does. A policy that does not match your practice can cause legal problems.