Last updated 6 November 2026.
This policy explains what information USA Rockhounding (usarockhounding.com) collects when you use the site, how it is used, and the choices you have.
Information you give us
When you use our contact form, we collect your name, email address, the topic, any page or place you mention, and your message. We use this only to reply to you and to check and improve the information on the site. If you send photos or field notes, we will ask before publishing them and credit you as you prefer.
Information collected automatically
- Analytics. We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the site, such as which pages are visited and how people arrive. Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies. You can learn more at How Google uses information from sites that use its services and opt out with the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
- Advertising. We may show ads served by Google. Google and its partners use cookies to serve ads based on your visits to this and other websites. You can turn off personalised advertising in Google Ads Settings.
- Location for “near me” maps. If you choose to use a near me search, your browser may ask for permission to share your location. Your location is used in your browser to centre the map and find nearby places. We do not store it.
- Server logs and security. Our host and caching tools record standard technical information, such as IP address and browser type, to keep the site secure and working.
Affiliate links
Some gear pages contain affiliate links, including links to Amazon. If you buy through these links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The retailer may use cookies to track the referral. See our affiliate disclosure.
How long we keep information
We keep contact messages for as long as needed to reply and to keep a record of corrections, and no longer than three years. Analytics data is kept according to the retention settings in Google Analytics.
Sharing
We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with service providers that run the site (hosting, email delivery, analytics and advertising) or when required by law.
Your choices and rights
You can ask us to see, correct or delete the personal information you sent us by using the contact form. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under laws such as the GDPR or the California Consumer Privacy Act.
Children
The site is intended for a general audience and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Changes
If we change this policy, we will update the date at the top of this page.
Contact
Questions about this policy can be sent through the contact form.