Every SEO expert suggests a few pages on a website, one of which is a privacy policy page, but is it really important?
What’s the purpose of a privacy policy page? Does a privacy policy page boost SEO rankings? And if it doesn’t boost SEO ranking, why does every SEO expert suggest adding these pages? If all of these questions are ringing a bell in your mind, then don’t worry.
All your questions are valid, and to help you out, I’ll share the answers below. I’ll explain what a privacy policy page is, why Google requires it and whether it affects the website ranking. So, let’s delve into the details to gain a clear understanding.
What is a Privacy Policy Page & Why It’s Necessary?
In simple words, a privacy policy page is a web page where the owner of the website clearly outlines how the website collects user’s data and where they use it. This privacy policy page rule is made for transparency between the website and the visitors. According to Google:
Privacy disclosures — made via a privacy policy and in-action conversations — help users understand what data you collect, why you collect it, and what you do with it. The disclosures should be comprehensive, accurate, and easy to understand by users.
If you’re confused about what’s user data, it’s basically the information every website collects in various ways. The data includes visitor data like device information, cookies, and many other details. With this data, your location, personal information, and the device are easily accessible, which is worrisome news, especially if it falls into the wrong hands.
There are cases where website data was available on the dark web because someone has sold it. Due to this issue, Google now requires a privacy policy page. The simple page of privacy policy builds credibility; it tells the visitor that your website is trustworthy and you won’t misuse their data.
How a Privacy Policy Page Can Enhance the User Trust?
To understand how a privacy policy page enhances user trust, you should first understand what a privacy policy page contains. According to Google, it’s important to answer three important questions on the privacy policy page on your website. These questions are:
- What information do you collect?
- How do you use the information?
- What information do you share?
If you add the answer to these three questions, the users will be able to trust you as they know how safe their data is. They can easily read what type of data you collect, like IP address, cookies, device information and so forth and to whom you share this data, which will prove your website safe.
Does Privacy Policy Help SEO?
Honestly speaking, NO!
The privacy policy page doesn’t rank your site higher on search engines. In fact, it has nothing to do with the SEO of your website. A privacy policy page is important because it helps internet users understand how safe their data is, and it also protects your site from legal issues.
In many countries, a privacy policy page on the website is mandatory. For example, in Canada, an act, “PIPEDA,” requires every company website to have a privacy policy. So, if you don’t have this page, you’re not only neglecting Google guidelines, but it’s also a clear violation of the law.
How to Create an Effective Privacy Policy Page?
The most simple way to create an effective privacy policy page is to use privacy policy page generate tools. Remember, the content you get will be generic and not specific to your website, so it’s important to edit the policy according to the laws and regulations.
While editing, ensure your privacy policy page contains the information mentioned below.
1- Introduction: First, write an introductory paragraph about your brand or website explaining who you are, just like Microsoft company:
2- What information you collect: In the second step, explain what data you collect, like whether you collect the IP address, search queries and so forth.
3- Where you use the data: Also, share details about where you use the data of the users.
4- Information you share: Add information about if you share user information with any third party and for what purpose.
Note: It would be best to add separate headings about “collection of data from children” and the “rights of users and how they can access the data.”
Is It OK to Copy the Privacy Policy?
No, it’s not OK to copy the privacy policy or any page from another website. You may not know, but privacy policy pages are also protected with copyrights. So, if you copy someone else page word by word, the end result will be a copyright claim.
However, you can take ideas from other privacy policy pages. Take notes about what information your competitors share and see whether they’re also important for your website or not. If the information is important, add it to your privacy policy, but don’t copy the exact words.
If you still find creating the privacy policy page difficult, use a privacy policy page generator. The page generator will provide a general policy that you can edit according to the data you collect and how you use and share it with the third party.
Should I Index My Privacy Policy Page?
Yes, you should definitely make sure your privacy policy or terms of service pages are indexed. Some people think it’s not as important as other pages like “About Us” or “Contact Us,” but it’s just a misconception. Just like the “About Us” page builds trust and improves user experience by providing the information, the privacy policy page does the same. So, it’s important to have it indexed.
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Final Words
To sum up, no privacy policy page doesn’t help boost SEO ranking. This page just helps businesses to gain visitors’ trust. Your visitors will be able to read about the data you collect, use, and share.
The more transparent your privacy policy page will be, the more users will trust your website. So always share accurate information, and never mislead your audience.
