Effective Date: April 2026 Last Updated: April 2026 Website: https://toolsandthrive.com Contact: hello@toolsandthrive.com
1. Introduction
Welcome to Tools and Thrive (“we,” “us,” or “our”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit our website at toolsandthrive.com.
By using our website, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please do not use our website.
2. Information We Collect
Information You Provide Directly
We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:
- Subscribe to our email newsletter (name and email address)
- Fill out our contact form (name and email address)
- Leave a comment on a blog post (name, email address, and website)
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information including:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- Referring website
- Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)
3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR — Article 13)
For visitors from the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your personal data on the following legal bases under GDPR Article 13:
| Data Type | Legal Basis |
|---|---|
| Email newsletter subscription | Consent — you actively opted in |
| Contact form submissions | Legitimate interests — responding to your enquiry |
| Google Analytics data | Consent — obtained via our CMP cookie banner |
| Google AdSense advertising | Consent — obtained via our CMP cookie banner |
| Blog comments | Consent — you chose to submit a comment |
You have the right to withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.
4. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Send you our email newsletter and updates (only if you subscribed)
- Respond to your questions and messages via our contact form
- Analyze website traffic and improve our content
- Display relevant advertisements through Google AdSense
- Comply with legal obligations
We will never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.
5. Google AdSense and Advertising
This website uses Google AdSense to display advertisements.
Google AdSense uses cookies and web beacons to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website and other websites across the internet. Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visit to our site and other sites on the internet.
Google and its partners may also use other third-party ad networks to serve advertisements on this website. These third-party ad networks may collect information about your visits to this and other websites to provide relevant advertisements.
Opt out of personalized advertising:
- Google Ads Settings: https://www.google.com/settings/ads
- Network Advertising Initiative opt-out: https://optout.networkadvertising.org
- Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out: https://www.aboutads.info/choices
- Your Online Choices (EU): https://www.youronlinechoices.eu
For more information on how Google uses data when you use our site, visit: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites
6. Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. Google Analytics collects anonymous data such as pages viewed, time on site, traffic sources, and geographic location. For EEA visitors, Google Analytics is only activated after obtaining your consent through our CMP cookie banner.
This data is processed by Google and is subject to Google’s Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
To opt out of Google Analytics tracking, install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
7. Affiliate Links Disclosure
Tools and Thrive participates in affiliate marketing programs. This means we may earn a commission when you click on certain links on our website and make a purchase — at absolutely no extra cost to you.
We only recommend products and services we have personally researched and genuinely believe will provide value to our readers. All affiliate relationships are clearly disclosed in our posts.
This site currently participates in the following affiliate programs:
- Amazon Associates Program (amazon.com/associates)
- Jasper AI Affiliate Program (jasper.ai)
- Surfer SEO Affiliate Program (surferseo.com)
- Canva Affiliate Program (canva.com/affiliates)
- ConvertKit Affiliate Program (convertkit.com)
- Additional SaaS and software programs — all disclosed individually in relevant posts
8. Email Marketing
If you subscribe to our email newsletter, we collect your name and email address. We use Mailchimp to manage our email list and send newsletters.
- You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email
- We will never send you spam
- We will never share your email address with third parties
Mailchimp Privacy Policy: https://mailchimp.com/legal/privacy
9. Cookies
Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website.
| Cookie Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Essential cookies | Required for the website to function properly |
| Analytics cookies | Google Analytics — tracks anonymous usage data |
| Advertising cookies | Google AdSense — serves relevant advertisements |
| Preference cookies | Remembers your settings and preferences |
You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. For more information about cookies visit: https://www.allaboutcookies.org
10. Cookie Consent for EU/EEA Visitors
For visitors from the European Economic Area (EEA), we use CookieYes as our Consent Management Platform (CMP). CookieYes is certified under the IAB Transparency and Consent Framework (IAB TCF 2.2), which is required by Google for publishers using personalized advertising in the EEA.
In compliance with Google’s EU User Consent Policy (https://www.google.com/about/company/user-consent-policy), we obtain verifiable consent from EEA users before serving personalized advertisements or enabling non-essential cookies.
You may update your consent preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link in our website footer.
11. Data Retention Policy
| Data Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Email newsletter subscribers | Until you unsubscribe + 30 days |
| Contact form submissions | 12 months from date of submission |
| Blog comments | 3 years, retained to maintain integrity of public discussions |
| Google Analytics data | 26 months (Google’s default retention) |
| Server/access logs | 30 days |
| Advertising cookie data | Up to 13 months (Google AdSense policy) |
After the retention period expires, your data is securely deleted or anonymized.
12. Data Protection Officer
We have not designated a formal Data Protection Officer as we do not currently meet the threshold requiring one under GDPR Article 37. All data protection enquiries can be directed to hello@toolsandthrive.com. We will respond within 30 days.
13. Children’s Privacy
Our website is not directed at children under the age of 13 (or under 16 for EEA visitors, in accordance with GDPR). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under these ages. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at hello@toolsandthrive.com.
14. Your Rights
All users:
- Right to know what personal data we collect
- Right to request deletion of your personal data
- Right to opt out of email communications at any time
California residents (CCPA/CPRA):
- Right to know what personal information is collected
- Right to opt out of the sale of personal information
- Right to correct inaccurate personal information
- Right to limit use of sensitive personal information
European residents (GDPR):
- Right to access, rectify, or erase your personal data
- Right to data portability
- Right to object to processing
- Right to withdraw consent at any time
- Right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@toolsandthrive.com.
15. CalOPPA Compliance
In accordance with CalOPPA:
- Users can visit our site anonymously
- A link to this Privacy Policy is available in our website footer
- Users will be notified of material changes with reasonable advance notice
- Users can update their personal information by emailing us
16. Changes to This Privacy Policy
For minor changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date. For material changes, we will provide at least 14 days advance notice by posting a prominent notice on our website.
17. Contact Us
Email: hello@toolsandthrive.com Website: https://toolsandthrive.com/contact
For all privacy-related enquiries, data deletion requests, or questions about this policy, please contact us via email or our contact page. We respond to all enquiries within 30 days.
This Privacy Policy was last reviewed and updated in April 2026. It meets all requirements for Google AdSense approval, FTC affiliate disclosure, GDPR Article 13, IAB TCF 2.2, EU User Consent Policy, CCPA/CPRA, CalOPPA, and COPPA compliance.