The Easy Way to Create a Privacy Policy for Your Blog
I was doing my daily read of other blogs and came across a post at Aaron Cook Dot Com about the new Adsense policies that got me thinking about my need for a privacy policy. One of the issues in the recently updated Google Adsense policies is the requirement to inform visitors of the use of cookies. It makes sense…I like to know when something is added to my computer’s hard drive (which happens at nearly every website these days).
So, as you can see in the above tabs, I’ve now added a page of policies related to this website. I started this project about a month ago, but finally took the time to complete the task. After exhaustive hours in the law library reading Latin legal texts and speaking with a friend who has been to court multiple times (as the defendant), I figured there had to be an easier way. Check out the results. I tried to keep the language as clear and understandable as possible.
What’s my secret? I let others do the work for me. I searched the Internet and found that writing my own blog policies didn’t have to be an arduous task (you like that word arduous?). The easy way to create a privacy policy for your new blog is to use a free, online privacy policy generator. I’ve done the research for you and can recommend four great resources:
Kinky Solutions – A very quick generator that provides a more legal looking privacy policy/terms of service document. Just enter your website name and state of operation.
Direct Marketing Association – This is the generator I used to create my first rough draft of the Blogging Startup policy. It is very simple with check box selections. Takes about 10 minutes to complete. This is the only policy generator on this list that allows customization to the policies before they are created.
Serp Rank – A policy generator specifically designed for Adsense publishers. This quick generator creates a simple and friendly policy statement. However, the policy should still be compared to the new Adsense requirements since the generator was created in 2007.
7th Space - This generator creates html code for placement on your blog or website. I used a portion of the text from this generator for the Blogging Startup policy. The generator is simple and quick to use.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
1) The policies may or may not meet your specific needs or the legal requirements for your blog. Be sure to educate yourself on what is required. A significant part of this education is reading (yes, actually reading) the agreements you have with any advertiser on your site. For programs like Pepperjam or Commission Junction, this can mean reading specific agreements from each advertiser that you use.
2) The policies are typically written with plural pronouns such as we and us. If your blogging voice is more personal, change these words to I and me. For an example, see the Blogging Startup policies.
3) Consider including policies about commenting on your blog and other blog features. These policies may not keep problems from occurring, but they may help reduce confusion and difficulties. Again, my policies have a section on comments.
4) Most importantly, take the time to customize the policies and make them your own. Don’t simply cut and paste, no matter how good you think the policies are. Read through them carefully and change what you feel is appropriate. Visit other website policy pages for examples.
So, when starting a blog, take some time and create your own blog policies. Even if you don’t use advertising on your blog, the policies will keep your readers informed and reduce potential problems in the future.
[Editor's Note: Aaron Cook has just posted a sample privacy policy that readers can borrow from, edit, or use just like it is.]
[PhotoCredit:losiek]
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Comments
Thanks for the mention, Jim! Much appreciated. 
I see that you used the DMA’s privacy policy generator. Though I had mentioned it in my subsequent post that contains a sample privacy policy, I had not used used the generator and could not vouch for it personally. But after seeing your privacy policy, it indeed looks like a fantastic tool for website owners to use.
Shine on,
Aaron
[...] this doesn’t cut it for you check out this post by Blogging Startup with a few other options for all your Privacy Policy needs. Don’t Forget to Get Your BloggerBands [...]
[...] this doesn’t cut it for you check out this post by Blogging Startup with a few other options for all your Privacy Policy needs. Don’t Forget to Get Your BloggerBands [...]
Great info, I think its time for me to add a privacy policy as well. Thanks for bringing this up to me.
Those are some great privacy policy generators. I’ve also read that such policies are looked favorably upon by Google.
Hey, very interesting post.
My written English is not so good so I write in German:
“Lieber den Spatz in der Hand, als die Taube auf dem Dach.”
Yours sincerely
Gabriel
I am very uncomfortable with policy making stuff and thanks for sharing all that stuff. Perhaps this was the most difficult post I have ever read in past few months but it waive of a lot of burden.
Thank you so much, I was considering publishing a privacy statement for my blog, when I stumbled across your arduous work (yes, I like this word) that can save me hours.
Nice one. I have stumbled and twittered this for my friends. Others no doubt will like it like I did.
Interesting post. I have stumbled and twittered this for my friends. Hope others find it as interesting as I did.
Very informative Jim, thanks for this post. I’ll be sure to conduct some research of my own soon.