Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to Something About Rocks (the “Website”), located at www.somethingsaboutrocks.com. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a safe experience on our Website.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Website. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using the Website, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

We are a participant in affiliate marketing programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to affiliated websites. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle your information in relation to those activities.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Data
We may collect personally identifiable information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:
Subscribe to our newsletter
Fill out a contact form
Leave comments on our blog posts
Participate in surveys or promotions

The personal information we may collect includes:
Name
Email address
Any other information you choose to provide

1.2 Derivative Data
When you access our Website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and usage, including:
IP address
Browser type and version
Operating system
Pages you view on our Website
Time and date of your visit
Time spent on each page
Referring website addresses

1.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We may use cookies, web beacons, tracking pixels, and other tracking technologies to:
Help us understand how you use our Website
Remember your preferences
Serve you relevant content
Track affiliate referrals

You can choose to set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. However, if you disable cookies, some parts of our Website may not function properly.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including to:
Operate and maintain our Website
Improve your experience on our Website
Understand how users interact with our content
Send you newsletters and updates (if you have opted in)
Respond to your comments and inquiries
Track affiliate link performance
Detect and prevent fraudulent activity
Comply with legal obligations

3. Cookies and Affiliate Disclosure

3.1 How We Use Cookies
Our Website uses cookies to:
Track affiliate referrals: When you click on an affiliate link, a cookie may be placed on your browser to track any purchases you make. This allows us to earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Analyze Website traffic: We use analytics tools to understand how visitors find and use our Website.

3.2 Types of Cookies We Use
Essential cookies: Required for the Website to function properly
Performance cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our Website
Functionality cookies: Remember your preferences
Targeting cookies: Track affiliate referrals and help us understand which content performs best

For more information about how we use cookies, you can contact us at [email protected].

4. Affiliate Marketing Disclosure

Our Website participates in affiliate marketing, which means we may earn commissions when you click on or make purchases through affiliate links on our Website .

4.1 Material Connection
As required by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines , we disclose that:
Some of the links on our Website are affiliate links
If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you
We only recommend products and services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers
Our reviews and recommendations are based on our honest opinions and experiences

4.2 Affiliate Programs
We are a participant in affiliate programs, which may include:
REI Coop Affiliate Program (managed through AvantLink)
Backcountry Affiliate Program
Amazon Services LLC Associates Program (if applicable)
Other outdoor and climbing gear affiliate programs

These programs use cookies to track affiliate referrals. When you click on an affiliate link, a cookie may be placed on your browser to track any purchases for commission purposes.

4.3 Where to Find Disclosures
In addition to this Privacy Policy, you will find specific affiliate disclosures:
At the beginning of blog posts that contain affiliate links
Near individual affiliate links throughout our content
In our general Affiliate Disclosure page, linked in our footer

5. ThirdParty Links and Advertisers

Our Website may contain links to thirdparty websites, including:
Affiliate partner websites (REI, Backcountry, etc.)
Climbing gym websites
Product manufacturer websites
Advertising partners

We do not control these thirdparty websites and are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any thirdparty sites you visit .

5.1 Advertising Networks
We may work with advertising networks, such as AvantLink, Rakuten Advertising, and others, to display ads or affiliate links on our Website . These networks may use cookies and similar technologies to:
Track conversions from affiliate links
Serve relevant advertisements
Measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns

6. Analytics and Tracking

We use analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, to understand how visitors interact with our Website. These tools may collect information including:
How you found our Website
Pages you visit
Time spent on pages
Geographic location (at city/country level)
Device and browser information

Google Analytics uses cookies to collect this information. You can learn more about how Google handles data at: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partnersites

7. Email Communications

If you choose to subscribe to our newsletter, we will use your email address to send you:
Updates about new content
Climbing tips and guides
Product recommendations
Occasional promotional offers

You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email we send.

We will never sell, rent, or share your email address with third parties for their marketing purposes without your explicit consent .

8. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your personal information. However, please understand that no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our Website is not directed to individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will take steps to delete such information.

10. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:
The right to access the personal information we hold about you
The right to request correction of inaccurate information
The right to request deletion of your information
The right to opt out of certain data processing activities

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected].

10.1 California Privacy Rights (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These include:
The right to know what personal information we collect about you
The right to request deletion of your personal information
The right to opt out of the sale of your personal information
The right to nondiscrimination for exercising your privacy rights

We do not sell your personal information.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. When we update the policy, we will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.