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[Patrick Vesperman]

If not, you should. Check out this article I just published on the blog: Importance of a Privacy Policy | Legacy Affiliate Blog

For the simple fact that you set cookies (at the very least), you should have a privacy policy.

Do you have one?

[daiarian]

As an affiliate the aim of my site is to capture traffic and encourage them to visit the merchant site using my ID links.

I do not retain any private information so should I still have a privacy policy?

Regards

[Trust]

You should always have a privacy policy on your sites. And they're very easy to do since there are all kinds of privacy policy generators out there, privacy plugins if you're using Wordpress etc. In fact with some networks, in their agreements, they say you're supposed to have one, when you do PPC, it helps, just helps your site overall. So if you don't have one, get one up today.

[Patrick Vesperman]

Good question Daiarian. My answer is Yes. Here's why:

First of all, it's best practice to have a good privacy policy. Makes users and search engines trust you more because you're being transparent with the way you handle information.

Secondly, your links set cookies. Granted, the cookies are Shareasale's (or another networks') cookie, but a cookie is set when someone clicks your links.

Lastly, in the post, I linked to an article claiming that revenues increase with a privacy policy. This might not translate when you're an affiliate not selling anything directly, but it could very well affect your CTR. Minimally, maybe, but why not do all you can to improve it?

In your case, your policy might not have to be long, but you should still have one.

[PDXreader]

Great post Patrick! I definitely agree with you and Trust.

[Convergence]

Have one on every website...

[msladybug]

Yes, I have them on all of my websites. Agree, you should always have one on your website. They don't have to be complicated. I use a simple explanation of the cookie dropping process and even state that the cookie is used for tracking so I will be credited for the sale, should the user decide to make a purchase.

[Convergence]

We copied the Google's - basically telling the user we have their souls now!

j/k...

[markwelch]

Not only do I include a privacy policy on each of my web sites, I also insist that my advertisers have privacy policies: » Why Is a Privacy Policy Important? [Mark Welch's Perspective]

[Patrick Vesperman]

Mark - I have to disagree with your statement:

"Note that the actual content of the privacy policy isn’t nearly as significant as its presence."

The content is very important. You might be saying this because no one reads the policy, which is largely true. However, when someone does read it, (someone = users AND Google), you want to make sure if actually states what data you collect and what you do with it.

[gcarson]

Originally Posted by daiarian

I do not retain any private information so should I still have a privacy policy?

So you have no tracking information on any of your sites? No piwik, Google Analytics, Getclicky or anything your host might have by default? I'm guessing no Adsense (as I think adsense requires one?)

[daiarian]

Originally Posted by gcarson

So you have no tracking information on any of your sites? No piwik, Google Analytics, Getclicky or anything your host might have by default? I'm guessing no Adsense (as I think adsense requires one?)

Good point I do have GA but no Adsense

Thanks