Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how SMG Media Enterprises, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, which does business as Steve Sanford ("I," "me," or "we"), handles information when you visit stevesanford.com (the "Site"). The Site is a personal brand and thought-leadership website. Most of it is public and has no account. Asking a question on Ask Steve uses a free email link. There is no password, and that sign-in is only for Ask Steve.

Who is responsible

The Site is operated by SMG Media Enterprises, LLC, which does business as Steve Sanford. For privacy questions, email steve@stevesanford.com.

Information we collect

Information you choose to send

If you email me or contact me through a link on the Site, I receive whatever you include in that message (such as your name, email address, and the content of your note). I use that information only to respond and manage the conversation.

Ask Steve

If you ask a question, you give me your name, email address, the question, and any optional details you choose to add (business type, company size, and what you are trying to improve). If you arrived from a link on a video or a post, I also store that source, such as a YouTube video id. I use this to email you a sign-in link, to read the question, and to see which topics people want covered.

I do not publish your name or email. If I answer in public, the question text and my answer may appear on the Site, including on pages search engines can index. Other people who have signed in may see your first name next to an open question, along with a count of how many people have the same question.

You can email me to delete a question you submitted, including one I have already published.

Automatic technical and analytics data

Like most websites, the Site and its hosting providers may automatically process limited technical data when you visit, such as IP address, browser type, device type, pages viewed, referring URL, and approximate location derived from IP. This helps keep the Site secure, working, and understandable.

The Site currently uses:

• Vercel Analytics for privacy-oriented site usage metrics on pages hosted by Vercel.
• Ahrefs Analytics for traffic and referral insights.

These tools may set or read cookies or similar technologies, and may process data under their own privacy policies. I do not sell personal information.

Content systems behind the Site

Writing on the Site may be published through Contero and stored in infrastructure that includes Supabase. Ask Steve questions are stored in that same database. An Ask Steve sign-in does not create a Contero account and is not the Contero product login.

How we use information

I use the information described above to:

• Operate, secure, and improve the Site
• Understand aggregate traffic and which pages are useful
• Respond to messages you send and to questions submitted on Ask Steve
• Protect against abuse or technical issues

Sharing

I share information only with service providers who help run the Site (for example hosting and analytics), when required by law, or when needed to protect rights, safety, or security. I do not sell your personal information and do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.

Cookies and similar technologies

Analytics and hosting providers may use cookies or similar technologies. Ask Steve also sets a cookie on this Site so you stay signed in after you use the email link. You can control cookies through your browser settings. Blocking some cookies may affect how parts of the Site or analytics work.

External links

The Site links to third-party sites and services (including LinkedIn, Contero, and tools mentioned in Free Tools). Their privacy practices are their own. Review their policies before sharing information with them.

Children

The Site is not directed to children under 13, and I do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact me and I will delete it.

Retention

Analytics data is retained according to each provider's settings and practices. Emails and related correspondence are retained as long as needed for the conversation and ordinary business recordkeeping, then deleted or archived in the normal course. Ask Steve records are kept so I can answer, and a published answer stays up until you ask me to take it down or I remove it.

Your choices and requests

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal information I hold about you, or to object to certain processing. To make a request, email steve@stevesanford.com. I may need to verify your request before responding.

International visitors

The Site is operated from the United States. If you visit from another country, your information may be processed in the United States and other locations where service providers operate.

Changes

I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top will change when I do. Continued use of the Site after an update means you accept the revised policy.

Contact

Questions about privacy: steve@stevesanford.com
Related: Terms of Use