1. Introduction

The Rank Collective ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) services, or engage with us in any capacity.

By accessing or using our services, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this policy, please do not access our website or use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

Schedule a demo or consultation through our booking system
Subscribe to our newsletter or marketing communications
Contact us via email or other communication channels
Engage with our services as a client

This information may include: name, email address, phone number, company name, job title, and any other information you choose to provide.

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information, including:

Device information (browser type, operating system, device type)
IP address and approximate geographic location
Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation paths
Referring website or source
Click patterns and interaction data

2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, pixels, and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing activities. This includes:

Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. This helps us improve our content and user experience.
Meta Pixel (Facebook Pixel): We use Meta Pixel to measure the effectiveness of our advertising, understand user behavior, and deliver targeted advertisements on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram).
Essential Cookies: These are necessary for the website to function properly.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

To provide, maintain, and improve our AEO services
To process and manage your demo requests and consultations
To communicate with you about our services, updates, and promotional offers
To personalize your experience and deliver relevant content
To analyze website usage and optimize our marketing efforts
To detect, prevent, and address technical issues or fraudulent activity
To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms
To create and deliver targeted advertising on third-party platforms

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Service Providers: We share information with third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as hosting, analytics, marketing, and customer support.
Advertising Partners: We may share data with advertising platforms (such as Meta) to deliver targeted ads and measure campaign effectiveness.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.
With Your Consent: We may share information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

5. SMS Communications and Opt-In

5.1 SMS Opt-In Consent

By providing your mobile phone number and opting in to receive SMS communications from The Rank Collective, you expressly consent to receive text messages from us. This consent is not a condition of purchase. You may opt in through:

Submitting a contact form with your phone number and SMS consent checkbox selected
Requesting a proposal or audit and providing SMS consent
Texting a keyword to our shortcode or phone number
Verbally consenting during a consultation call

5.2 Types of SMS Messages

If you opt in, you may receive SMS messages related to:

Appointment reminders and scheduling confirmations
Service updates and project status notifications
Account alerts and important announcements
Promotional offers and marketing communications (if separately consented)

5.3 Mobile Information Sharing

We do not share, sell, rent, or trade your mobile phone number or SMS opt-in data with third parties for marketing purposes. Your mobile information is used solely for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy and to provide you with the services you requested. We may share mobile information with service providers who assist in delivering SMS messages, but only under strict confidentiality agreements and solely for the purpose of facilitating our communications with you.

6. Cookie and Tracking Practices

6.1 Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following types of cookies and tracking technologies:

Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality, security, and authentication. Cannot be disabled.
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website (Google Analytics). Collected data includes page views, session duration, and navigation paths.
Advertising Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness (Meta Pixel, Google Ads).
Preference Cookies: Remember your choices and settings for a more personalized experience.

6.2 How to Manage Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies, but this may affect website functionality. You can also opt out of specific tracking services: Google Analytics (tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout) and Meta/Facebook (facebook.com/settings/?tab=ads).

7. Data Security and Handling

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your personal information:

Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit using TLS/SSL and at rest using industry-standard encryption
Access Controls: Strict role-based access controls limit who can view or process personal data
Secure Infrastructure: Our systems are hosted on secure, SOC 2 compliant cloud infrastructure
Regular Audits: We conduct periodic security assessments and vulnerability testing
Employee Training: All team members receive data protection and security training
Incident Response: We maintain procedures for detecting, reporting, and responding to data breaches

While we implement robust security measures, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but commit to protecting your information using commercially reasonable efforts.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When determining retention periods, we consider the nature of the information, the purposes for processing, and applicable legal requirements.

9. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, including what data we've collected and how it's been used
Right to Correction: Request correction of inaccurate, outdated, or incomplete information
Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements
Right to Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format
Right to Restrict Processing: Request that we limit how we use your data in certain circumstances
Right to Object: Object to processing of your data for direct marketing purposes
Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent
Marketing Opt-out: Opt out of marketing communications at any time via unsubscribe links or by contacting us
SMS Opt-out: Reply STOP to any SMS message to immediately stop receiving text messages
Cookie Preferences: Adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies or use opt-out tools for specific services
Do Not Track: We honor "Do Not Track" browser signals where technically feasible

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at hello@therankcollective.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days (or sooner if required by applicable law). We may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. When we transfer data internationally, we take appropriate steps to ensure your information remains protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including our booking platform. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

12. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information.

13. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
Right to delete personal information held by businesses
Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information
Right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights

We do not sell personal information as defined under the CCPA.

14. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

Right to access, correct, or delete your personal data
Right to restrict or object to processing
Right to data portability
Right to withdraw consent at any time
Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Our legal basis for processing personal data includes: consent, contractual necessity, legitimate interests, and legal compliance.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

16. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

The Rank Collective

Email: hello@therankcollective.com