Who we are
San Mateo Local ("we," "us," or "the guide") publishes a local guide to San Mateo, California at sanmateolocal.com. If you have any questions about this policy, email us at hello@sanmateolocal.com.
What we collect
We only collect information in a few specific situations:
When you subscribe to our newsletter
If you sign up for our email list, we collect your email address (and your name, if you give it). We use our email provider, Buttondown, to store the list and send the newsletter.
When you send us a message or use a form
If you fill out a form on the site (for example, suggesting a spot, asking to get your business listed, or claiming and verifying your business listing), we receive whatever you choose to share. Depending on the form, that can include your name, email address, phone number, business details, and your message. Most form submissions are delivered to us by a service called Web3Forms. Business-listing claims and business inquiries are handled through our customer-management system, GoHighLevel, which is operated for us by our local partner Bay Crest Media, so that we can follow up with you about your listing.
When you simply visit
Like most websites, we use Google Analytics to understand how many people visit and which pages they read. This collects standard, mostly anonymous information such as your approximate location (city level), the pages you view, the type of device and browser you use, and how you found us. Google Analytics uses cookies to do this. We do not use this information to personally identify you.
Some of our business pages link to Google Maps, such as a Directions link. These are plain links, not embedded maps, so nothing is sent to Google until you tap one. When you do, your browser opens Google Maps and Google receives that request.
How we use it
- To send you the newsletter you asked for
- To reply to your messages and suggestions
- To understand which content is useful so we can make the guide better
That's it. We do not use your information for anything else without telling you.
What we don't do
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to anyone. We don't run ad networks that track you across the internet. We don't share your email with other businesses.
Who we share it with
We only share information with the trusted services that help us run the guide, and only so they can do their job:
- Buttondown stores our email list and sends the newsletter.
- Google Analytics gives us anonymous visitor statistics.
- Web3Forms delivers the messages you send through our forms.
- GoHighLevel, operated for us by our partner Bay Crest Media, holds business-listing claims and inquiries so we can follow up with you.
- Stripe securely processes payments if you buy a paid listing feature. Stripe handles your card details directly; we never see or store them.
- Google Maps opens directions when you tap a map or Directions link on a business page.
- Notion is where we track business subscriptions and cancellations, which can include a business's contact details.
Each of these has its own privacy policy. We may also share information if the law requires it, which is rare and something we take seriously.
Cookies
A cookie is a small file a website saves on your device. We use them mainly for Google Analytics, to count visits. You can block or delete cookies anytime in your browser settings, and the site will still work fine.
Your choices and rights
- Unsubscribe anytime. Every newsletter has an unsubscribe link at the bottom. One click and you're off the list.
- Ask us to delete your information. Email hello@sanmateolocal.com and we'll remove what we have.
- California residents: Under California law you have the right to know what personal information we hold, to request its deletion, and to not be discriminated against for exercising those rights. We honor these requests. Just email us. Note that we do not sell personal information, so there is nothing to opt out of on that front.
Children
This site is meant for a general audience and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.
Changes to this policy
If we update this policy, we'll change the date at the top. If a change is significant, we'll do our best to make it obvious.
Questions?
We're local and we're happy to talk. Reach us anytime at hello@sanmateolocal.com.