Privacy policy

Who we are

Open Grow Guide ("we", "us") operates the website at opengrowguide.com and is responsible for the personal information described here. For any privacy question, or to exercise a right described below, email contact@opengrowguide.com.

What we collect

We don't ask you for personal information. There are no user accounts, and no form on this site collects your details.

Information is collected in four ways:

• Analytics data, collected automatically when you visit, subject to your consent choice (see below).
• Server logs, recorded by our web server on every request (see below).
• Email you send us. We keep your message and address only as long as needed to answer it and to keep a record of corrections.
• Words you type into site search. These may be recorded as search terms in Google Analytics (subject to your consent choice), so we can see what readers look for. Don't type personal information into the search box.

Google Analytics 4 and Consent Mode v2

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand which pages are read and how visitors arrive. GA4 runs with Google Consent Mode v2.

For visitors in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland (as determined by Google from IP location), analytics storage is denied by default. No analytics cookies are set until you choose Accept, and GA4 receives only cookieless pings without identifiers. Everywhere else, analytics storage is allowed by default. Advertising storage is denied for everyone: there are no ads on this site.

GA4 is set to keep event- and user-level data for 14 months. Aggregated reports are not affected by this setting. We don't use GA4 to build advertising audiences, and Google Signals is off. Google states that Google Analytics 4 does not log or store IP addresses for users in the EU.

Server logs

Our web server records standard access logs (IP address, requested page, browser user agent, time) for security and troubleshooting. These logs are kept for up to 11 days.

Cookies we may set

Cookies are small files stored by your browser. The cookies relevant to this site are:

• ogg_consent: stores your answer to the consent banner so you aren't asked on every visit. Kept for 180 days.
• Google Analytics (_ga, _ga_*): distinguishes returning visitors and sessions for aggregate reporting. Set only where analytics storage is allowed; kept for up to 2 years.
• Recent searches: the last few words you searched are saved in your own browser's local storage (key ogg_recent_searches) so the search panel can suggest them. They never leave your device, and you can clear them from the search panel.
• Affiliate cookies: if affiliate links are added in future, a retailer, not us, may set a cookie when you click one. That cookie is governed by the retailer's own policy. See our affiliate disclosure.

Your choices

You can change or withdraw your choice at any time with the Cookie settings button in the site footer, wherever you are. Choosing Reject stops analytics storage and removes the Google Analytics cookies. You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Blocking cookies won't restrict your access to any content.

Legal basis (GDPR and UK GDPR)

Where these laws apply, we rely on your consent for analytics, and on our legitimate interests for server logs (keeping the site secure and working) and for replying to email you send us.

International transfers

Google LLC processes analytics data in the United States. Our web server is also located in the United States.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, including under the GDPR in the EU and UK and the CCPA/CPRA in California, you may have the right to access, correct or delete your personal information, to restrict or object to its processing, and to data portability. You also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority.

We don't sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. To make a request, email contact@opengrowguide.com. We will respond within the period required by applicable law.

Children

This site is for a general audience and is not directed at children under 13. We don't knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to this policy

If we change how data is collected or used, we will update this page and the date at the top before the change takes effect.