Privacy Policy

The Rockhoundry ("we," "us," "our") operates the website rockhoundry.com. This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, and what choices you have.

01Information we collect

You don't need an account to read this site. If you use the contact form, we store the name, email address, and message you submit so we can respond. Standard web server logs may also record your IP address, browser type, referring page, and pages visited. This is normal for essentially every website and isn't tied to your identity beyond that.

02Analytics cookies

We use Google Analytics (via Google's gtag.js) to understand how visitors use the site: which pages get read, how people arrive, and general geographic region. Google Analytics sets cookies on your device to enable this. The data is aggregated and used to improve the site, not to identify you personally. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

03Advertising cookies

This site is set up to serve ads through Google AdSense. AdSense and its partners may use cookies and similar technologies to serve ads based on your visits here and to other sites, and to measure ad performance. Depending on your location, this may require your consent before personalized ads are shown, and Google's consent tools govern that behavior on our behalf. You can review or opt out of personalized advertising at any time through Google's Ads Settings, or through industry opt-out tools like the Digital Advertising Alliance's opt-out page.

04Your consent

By continuing to use this site, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy. If you'd rather not be tracked, you can block or delete cookies through your browser settings, use the opt-out tools linked above, or use a browser extension that blocks tracking scripts. Blocking cookies won't prevent you from reading the site. It just means we won't be able to measure your visit or, later, serve you relevant ads.

05Cookies in general

Cookies are small text files a website stores on your device. Beyond analytics and advertising, we don't use cookies for anything else: no login system, no tracking pixels for retargeting outside of the AdSense network described above.

06Third-party links

Our field notes link out to geological surveys, lapidary suppliers, museums, and other sources. We're not responsible for the privacy practices of any site we link to. Check their own policy before sharing information with them.

07Children's privacy

This site is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

08Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the site changes, for example when ad units or affiliate links go live. Updates will be posted on this page with a new date at the top.

09Contact

Questions about this policy? Reach us through the contact page.