Information We Collect

Introduction

At RankForge, your privacy and data security are fundamental to how we operate. This page outlines the types of information we collect, why we collect it, how it is used, and the choices you have regarding your data. We are committed to transparency and compliance with applicable data protection regulations, including GDPR, CCPA, and other global privacy standards.

Information We Collect

We collect information to deliver tailored SEO strategies, manage client relationships, and improve our services. The data we collect falls into three main categories:

1. Information You Provide Directly

• Contact Details: Name, email address, phone number, and company title.
• Business Information: Company name, website URL, industry, and target audience demographics.
• Service Preferences: Selected SEO packages, campaign goals, budget parameters, and communication preferences.
• Communications: Content of emails, chat transcripts, call recordings (with consent), and feedback surveys.
• Payment Information: Billing address and payment method details. Note: We use PCI-compliant third-party processors; we do not store full credit card numbers.

2. Information Collected Automatically

• Device & Browser Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, and screen resolution.
• Usage Analytics: Pages visited, time spent, click patterns, and referral sources via tools like Google Analytics.
• Technical Logs: Server logs, error reports, and API request data for system stability and security monitoring.
• Website Performance Data: With your explicit permission, we may collect crawl data, Core Web Vitals metrics, and on-page SEO signals from your domain to inform strategy.

3. Information from Third Parties

We may receive data from trusted partners including CRM platforms, marketing automation tools, business directories, and SEO intelligence providers. This data helps us verify business information and enrich our strategic recommendations.

How We Use Your Information

Your data is processed strictly for legitimate business purposes:

• Service Delivery: Executing SEO audits, keyword research, content optimization, and campaign management.
• Communication: Responding to inquiries, sending service updates, reporting, and transactional notifications.
• Billing & Administration: Processing payments, generating invoices, and maintaining client records.
• Product Improvement: Analyzing usage trends to enhance our tools, dashboards, and reporting accuracy.
• Security & Compliance: Detecting fraud, enforcing terms of service, and meeting legal/regulatory obligations.
• Marketing (Opt-In): Sending newsletters, case studies, and industry insights only when you have explicitly consented.

Data Sharing & Security

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. Data is shared only when necessary and under strict contractual safeguards:

• Service Providers: Hosting platforms, email delivery services, CRM systems, and payment processors.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of RankForge, our clients, or others.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, with continued privacy obligations.

Security Measures: We implement industry-standard safeguards including AES-256 encryption, role-based access controls, regular security audits, secure SSL/TLS transmission, and employee privacy training. Despite these measures, no digital transmission is 100% secure, and we encourage you to use strong, unique passwords.

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure functionality, analyze performance, and personalize content. We categorize them as follows:

• Strictly Necessary: Enable core features like authentication, security, and session management. Cannot be disabled.
• Analytics & Performance: Help us understand how visitors interact with our site (e.g., Google Analytics). Data is anonymized and aggregated.
• Marketing & Personalization: Used to deliver relevant content and measure campaign effectiveness. Require your explicit consent.

You can manage or withdraw consent for cookies at any time via our cookie banner or browser settings. Disabling non-essential cookies may limit certain features.

Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access & Portability: Request a copy of the data we hold about you in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Correction: Update or rectify inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: Request erasure of your data, subject to legal retention obligations.
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time using the link in our emails or by contacting us directly.
• Restriction & Objection: Limit how we process your data or object to processing for direct marketing purposes.

To exercise these rights, contact our Privacy Team. We will respond within 30 days. Identity verification may be required to protect your information.

Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Typical retention periods:

• Active Client Data: Retained for the duration of the service agreement plus 3 years for warranty and reporting purposes.
• Financial Records: Kept for 7 years per tax and accounting regulations.
• Marketing Contacts: Retained until unsubscribed or until 24 months of inactivity, whichever comes first.
• Anonymous/Aggregated Data: May be retained indefinitely as it cannot be linked back to an individual.

Upon expiration, data is securely deleted or permanently anonymized.

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this policy or your personal data, please reach out to our Data Protection Officer: