Last updated: September 18, 2026
Handlebar HQ (“we”, “us”) publishes reviews and guides at https://www.handlebarhq.com. This policy explains what information we collect when you use the site, how it is used, and the choices you have. We keep it short and specific because that is more useful than boilerplate.
What we collect
- Analytics. We use Google Analytics 4 (via Google Site Kit) to understand which pages are read and how visitors arrive. Google sets cookies and processes your IP address, approximate location, device and browser information, and pages viewed. IP anonymisation is applied by Google Analytics 4 by default. Google’s privacy policy is at policies.google.com/privacy; you can opt out with the Google Analytics opt-out add-on.
- Affiliate link clicks. Outbound links to retailers pass through our own short links (addresses beginning
/go/). Our link plugin records the time of the click, the destination, and your IP address and browser user-agent so we can detect broken links and abuse. These logs are kept for up to 90 days. - Contact form. If you write to us through the contact form or by email, we keep your name, email address and message for as long as needed to reply and for our records.
- Server logs. Our web host records standard access logs (IP address, time, page requested, browser) for security and troubleshooting. These are retained for a limited period by the host.
- Comments. Comments are switched off sitewide; we do not collect commenter data.
Affiliate programs and third-party cookies
Handlebar HQ is supported by affiliate commissions. When you click a link to a retailer and make a purchase, the retailer or its affiliate network may set a cookie on your device so the sale can be attributed to us. We do not see your personal or payment details; the network reports the sale to us in aggregate. Programs we participate in or have applied to include the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, CJ Affiliate, Impact, Shopify Collabs, GoAffPro and merchant-run programs such as Carpuride, Chigee, CarPlay Motorcycle (CPMC) and RevZilla. Each has its own privacy policy governing the data it collects.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon’s use of cookies is described in the Amazon Privacy Notice.
Cookies
We do not set our own tracking cookies. Cookies on this site come from Google Analytics (as above) and from affiliate networks after you click an outbound link. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings; the site works without them.
Embedded content and external links
Articles link to manufacturers, retailers, forums and video platforms. Those sites have their own privacy practices, and following a link takes you outside this policy. We do not embed social media widgets or third-party video players that track visitors on our pages.
How we use information
- To understand which content is useful and decide what to write next.
- To keep affiliate links working and to detect fraudulent clicks.
- To reply to messages you send us.
- To keep the site secure.
We do not sell personal information, and we do not use it for advertising profiles. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.
Your choices and rights
Depending on where you live (including under the GDPR in the EU/UK and the CCPA/CPRA in California), you may have the right to access, correct or delete personal information we hold about you, to object to or restrict its processing, and to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information — which we do not do. To exercise any of these rights, email hello@handlebarhq.com and we will respond within 30 days.
Data retention and security
Analytics data is retained according to Google Analytics’ settings (currently 14 months). Affiliate click logs are kept for up to 90 days. Contact messages are kept for as long as needed to deal with the enquiry. The site is served over HTTPS and access to the WordPress administration is restricted.
Changes to this policy
We update this page when our practices change. The date at the top shows the last revision.
Contact
Questions about privacy: hello@handlebarhq.com, or use the contact form.