The short version: we don't sell or share your data. We use Google Analytics to see which guides people read, and only if you've consented. We use Gumroad to take payments and email you your unlock code. That's it.
Who runs this site
The Smart Starter's Guide is published by Ayrvon LLC. The data controller for the purposes of GDPR is Ayrvon LLC. You can reach us at adam@smartstartersguide.com.
What we collect
- Purchase data (via Gumroad). When you buy a guide, Gumroad collects your email address, billing details, and country (for tax). We receive your email, the product you bought, and a license key — we use these to mint your unlock code and email it to you. Card details never touch our systems.
- Anonymous analytics (via Google Analytics 4). Only if you've clicked "Accept" in the cookie banner. GA records page views, referrer, approximate location (country/region), device type, and an anonymous ID. We use this to see which guides resonate. If you decline, GA still records a consent-denied page count with no cookies and no identifiers.
- Unlock cookie. When you redeem an unlock code, we set a signed HMAC cookie so you stay logged in to the reader. It contains your guide slug and an expiry — no email, no name. It's strictly necessary for the paid reader to work, so it doesn't require consent.
- Server logs (via Cloudflare). Cloudflare receives and routes every request. Standard fields apply — IP, user agent, request path, response code — retained for ~30 days for security/abuse purposes. We don't use these for marketing or profiling.
Who else processes your data
- Gumroad — payments and email delivery for your unlock code.
- Cloudflare — hosting, CDN, edge logs.
- Google (Analytics 4) — only if you consent to cookies.
- Make.com — receives the purchase webhook from us to trigger our internal fulfilment workflow (no card data).
Cookies
We set a ssg-consent entry in your browser's localStorage to remember your cookie choice. If you accept, Google Analytics sets its own cookies (_ga, _ga_*) for ~2 years. The reader's unlock cookie lasts 30 days.
You can change your mind any time — .
Your rights
If you're in the EU, UK, or California, you have the right to access, correct, delete, or export your personal data, and to object to processing. Email adam@smartstartersguide.com and we'll handle it within 30 days. For purchase data we'll usually need to relay the request to Gumroad on your behalf.
Children
These guides are written for adult founders. We don't knowingly collect data from anyone under 16. If you believe we have, email us and we'll delete it.
Changes to this policy
If we change anything material, we'll update the "Last updated" date above and, where it affects existing customers, email you. The current version is always at smartstartersguide.com/privacy.