Privacy policy
What data BuyShears.com collects and why — analytics, advertising, affiliate attribution and theme preference — plus how to opt out of each.
Last updated 25 July 2026.
This policy explains what data BuyShears.com collects, why, and what you can do about it. It is written to be read rather than to be legally impenetrable.
The short version
- We do not ask for, or store, your name, email address or any account details — there are no accounts and no forms on this site.
- We use Google Analytics to see which guides get read. That places cookies and processes usage data.
- Third-party advertising, where shown, may set its own cookies.
- Affiliate links to Amazon carry a tracking parameter so purchases can be attributed to us.
- The Shear Finder runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are never transmitted anywhere.
Information we collect
| Data | Collected by | Purpose | Can you avoid it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Page views, referrer, session flow | Google Analytics | Understanding which guides are useful | Yes — block cookies or use the opt-out add-on |
| Approximate location (from IP) | Google Analytics | Aggregate regional reporting | Yes — as above |
| Device, browser, screen size | Google Analytics | Making sure the site works on real devices | Yes — as above |
| Theme preference | This site (local storage) | Remembering light or dark mode | Yes — do not use the toggle, or clear site data |
| Affiliate click attribution | Amazon | Attributing qualifying purchases to us | Yes — search for products independently |
| Advertising identifiers | Third-party ad vendors, where ads are shown | Ad serving and measurement | Yes — opt out via the links below |
| Name, email, payment details | Nobody — we do not collect these | N/A | N/A |
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand aggregate usage — which guides are read, how people navigate between them, and where they leave. This informs what we write next.
Analytics sets cookies and processes technical data including a randomly generated identifier, approximate location derived from IP address, device and browser type, and the pages you view. Google acts as a data processor for this. You can prevent Analytics from collecting data by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on, by using your browser's tracking protection, or by blocking cookies for this site.
On this site, the Analytics script is loaded after the page has rendered, so blocking it has no effect on how the site works.
Advertising
This site may display advertising served by third parties, including Google and its partners. Third-party vendors may use cookies to serve advertising based on your prior visits to this and other websites. You can opt out of personalised advertising from Google at Google Ads Settings, and from many other vendors at optout.aboutads.info.
Affiliate links
Product links on this site go to Amazon and carry our Associates tag (bbg0f4-20).
When you follow one, Amazon may set cookies to attribute a subsequent purchase to us. We receive
only aggregated commission reporting from Amazon — never your name, address, payment details or
order contents. Amazon's own privacy notice governs what happens on their site. See our
affiliate disclosure.
The Shear Finder
The Shear Finder runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your answers are held in memory for the duration of the session and are never sent to us or to anyone else. Closing the tab discards them. A completion event (which discipline and budget band were selected, with no identifying information) is recorded in Analytics so we know the tool is being used.
Local storage
If you use the light/dark theme toggle, your preference is saved in your browser's local
storage under the key bs-theme. This never leaves your device and is not readable by
us. Clearing your browser data removes it.
Cookies summary
| Set by | Type | Purpose | Essential? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | Analytics cookies | Aggregate usage measurement | No |
| Third-party ad vendors | Advertising cookies | Ad serving and measurement | No |
| Amazon (after you click a link) | Affiliate attribution | Commission tracking | No |
| This site | Local storage (bs-theme) | Your light/dark theme preference | No |
Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete or restrict processing of your personal data, and to object to processing or withdraw consent. Because we do not collect or store personal data directly, requests about analytics or advertising data are usually best directed to Google. If you want to exercise a right in relation to anything we hold, contact us and we will help.
Practical steps you can take immediately: block cookies for this site, use your browser's tracking protection, install the Analytics opt-out add-on, or use a private browsing window.
Data retention
We retain no personal data ourselves. Analytics data is retained according to Google's configured retention period. Email correspondence sent to us is retained only as long as needed to deal with it.
Children
This site is aimed at professionals and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children.
External links
This site links to external websites including Amazon, manufacturers and reference sources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. Read their policies.
Changes to this policy
If this policy changes materially, the date at the top of this page will change. Continued use of the site after a change constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact
Questions about this policy: contact us.