Privacy Policy
Last updated July 14, 2026.
tl;dr
Smoot uses a single, first-party cookie to track user behavior and retention on the site. The cookie is totally anonymized (it's a random UUID) and we don't store any personal information that could identify you. We only use the cookie to better track visitor retention.
Analytics are done using a self-hosted instance of OpenPanel Analytics.
If you submit your email for the newsletter signup or to download the 2026 GEO Handbook, we store your information in a self-hosted instance of Notifuse.
Web analytics and emails are stored separately and never connected. Your name and email are never associated with the web analytics tracking data.
Your information is never shared with any third party. Smoot doesn't use any third-party analytics or marketing software. Your data never leaves our own server.
About this policy
This policy explains what we collect on withsmoot.com, why we collect it, and your options. Smoot and withSmoot are brands owned by DataParty LLC. When this policy says “we” or “us,” that's who we mean.
What we collect
We collect two things, and they aren't connected to each other.
1. Analytics data. We use a self-hosted instance of OpenPanel to track page views, clicks, and a few custom events like form submissions. Each visitor gets a random UUID in a first-party cookie. The UUID doesn't contain or reveal anything about you. It exists so we can count returning visitors and see which content gets read more than once.
2. Signup data. If you subscribe to the newsletter or download the 2026 GEO Handbook, we store the first name, last name, and email address you submit, in a self-hosted instance of Notifuse.
The analytics system and the email system are separate. Your name and email are never associated with the analytics data.
How we use it
Analytics: to see which pages get traffic, which articles get revisited, and which CTAs lead to signups. We use this to decide what to write more of and where the site might be confusing.
Email: to send the newsletter or deliver the handbook you requested. We don't sell or rent the list.
Cookies
We set one cookie, op_pid. It contains a random UUID. It's scoped to .withsmoot.com. It lasts for up to one year, or until your browser clears it.
We do not set advertising cookies. We do not use Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, or any other third-party tracker. The cookie is read only by us.
Data retention
Analytics events are kept for as long as they remain useful for understanding traffic patterns. We periodically delete old data.
Email addresses are kept until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete them.
Security
All data lives on servers DataParty LLC controls. We do not share infrastructure with anyone outside the company. If we become aware of a breach that affects you, we'll tell you by email.
Your rights
You can ask us for a copy of the data we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete it. For analytics data, deleting the cookie on your browser stops future collection. For anything we've already stored, email us and we'll remove it.
For email or signup data, the unsubscribe link in any email we send works immediately. If you want everything deleted, email [email protected] and we'll take care of it.
We don't sell personal data.
Children
The site isn't directed at children, and we don't knowingly collect information from anyone under 13. If you believe a child has given us their email, contact us and we'll delete it.
Changes to this policy
If we change what we collect or how we use it, we'll update this page. The “last updated” date above reflects the most recent revision.
Contact
Questions about this policy or requests about your data: [email protected].