If you use Blogger, Google’s free-to-use website hosting service, you’re subject to following Google’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which means you need a privacy policy.
Below, I explain why Google requires you to have a privacy policy for Blogger, what information should go into it, and how to make one.
- How Do You Make a Blogger Privacy Policy?
- What Is a Privacy Policy for Blogger?
- Does Blogger Require a Privacy Policy?
- Why Do I Need a Privacy Policy for My Blogger Site?
- What Goes Into a Blogger Privacy Policy?
- Good Examples of Blogger Privacy Policies
- FAQs About Blogger Privacy Policies
- Conclusion
How Do You Make a Blogger Privacy Policy?
There are three easy ways to make a privacy policy for your Blogger website.
Use a Managed Solution
The best way to make a privacy policy for your Blogger website is to use a managed solution, like our Privacy Policy Generator.
It’s easy, quick, and helps you comply with prominent data protection laws worldwide.
All you need to do is follow these easy steps:
- Sign up for Termly,
- Answer questions about your business and data processing activities,
- Our generator automatically creates a comprehensive privacy policy based on your answers,
- Review the final version of the policy,
- Embed the policy directly to your Blogger site.
Below, see an example of one of the questions it asks.
Use a Template
You can also use our free privacy policy template to make one of these documents for your Blogger website.
Templates are a good option but they take more work and time than a managed solution.
To use it, follow these steps:
- Download the template below in your preferred format,
- Manually fill in the blank sections with details about your business,
- Add or remove clauses and information as necessary,
- Review the final policy,
- Add the policy directly to your Blogger site!
See a sample of what it looks like below.
DIY
Finally, you might consider taking the DIY approach and writing a privacy policy on your own.
However, this option is only recommended if you plan on having a lawyer check it for you or have extensive knowledge about data privacy regulations.
New laws enter into force regularly, and old ones often get amended. If you forget to update your policy or leave something out, even by mistake, you’ll still be held accountable.
If you decide to use this method, be extra mindful and double-check your policy.
To help you out, here’s a helpful guide explaining how to write a privacy policy.
What Is a Privacy Policy for Blogger?
Like privacy policies for any website, a privacy policy for Blogger is a statement that outlines how your blog collects, uses and shares personal information from your visitors.
If your Blogger website falls under a data protection law, you must post a privacy policy that meets all requirements outlined by those pieces of legislation.
While these laws require slightly different specificities, privacy policies should explain:
- What personal data you collect
- How you use the personal data
- If you share the data with any third parties
- The rights users have over their personal data
- Your company contact information
If needed, you can read our guide to learn more about privacy policies.
Does Blogger Require a Privacy Policy?
Blogger itself doesn’t require you to post a privacy policy, as the platform is considered a social media tool.
However, because it’s subject to Google’s Terms of Use, using Blogger means you agree to post a compliant privacy policy if your website falls under any data privacy laws.
If your Blogger site collects personal information, uses any types of internet cookies, and falls under applicable data protection laws, it needs a compliant privacy policy.
Otherwise, Blogger may terminate your site use, and you could face fines and other penalties for violating the law.
Along with your privacy policy, your website may need a blog disclaimer if you engage in certain activities like sponsorships or affiliate linking.
Why Do I Need a Privacy Policy for My Blogger Site?
You need a privacy policy for your Blogger site if you:
- Monetize Your Blog or Use Internet Cookies: Your blogger site may need a privacy policy if you monetize it through ads or affiliate links. This requirement is especially true if you use services like Google AdSense or Analytics, as some privacy laws give individuals the right to know that websites are collecting their data in this way and provide a way for them to opt out of targeted ads and other tracking technologies.
- Fall under any data privacy laws: Having a privacy policy is legally required by privacy laws. You’ll need one if your Blogger site falls under any. These laws can and often do impact business outside of the regions where they originate, so you may fall under the scope of one or more of them.
- Use Third-Party Services That Require a Privacy Policy: You might also need a Blogger privacy policy if you use any third-party services, as these entities commonly require one in their Terms of Use agreements. For example, if you use Google AdSense to show ads on your blog, you must agree with AdSense’s Terms of Service, which require your website to have a “clearly labeled and easily accessible” privacy policy. Whenever you add third-party services to your Blogger site, always check their terms of service to ensure you comply with their privacy guidelines.
- To Meet User Expectations: Data privacy is a prominent global issue, and these days, users expect to find a privacy policy somewhere on your Blogger site. The modern website visitor wants to know if you collect their personal data and what you do with it. If people can’t easily find a privacy policy in the footer of your Blogger blog, they may assume your site is insecure. Even if a privacy policy is not legally required, adding one will reassure readers that you take their privacy seriously.
What Goes Into a Blogger Privacy Policy?
The specific clauses you must include in your Blogger privacy policy depend on which laws apply to you, but below is a list of the most common clauses relevant to Blogger websites.
What Personal Data You Collect
Every privacy law requires you to inform users about what personal data you collect and process from them, so describe this information in a clause in your Blogger privacy policy.
You might organize it as a bullet list, put it in a table, or write short paragraphs that are easy to read and understand.
How and Why You Use the Data
Laws like the GDPR require you to explain why and how you use the data you collect, and on which legal ground.
Clearly explain these details in a clause directly in your Blogger site’s privacy policy. This is another great place to use tables or bullet lists to organize the information in a digestible way.
If You Share the Data With Third Parties
If any third party can access your users’ data, you must disclose it in your privacy policy.
You’ll need this clause if you use Google AdSense or Analytics or if your site lets people log in or connect to it with their social media or other third-party APIs, like Facebook.
If You Use Cookies or Other Trackers
Because the data cookies collect qualify as personal information under data privacy laws, you should include a clause explaining which ones your Blogger site uses and how users can control them in your privacy policy.
Blogger does allow you to put cookies on users’ browsers, especially if you set up Google AdSense or Analytics.
Description of Consumer Privacy Rights
Laws like the GDPR, the CCPA, the VCDPA, and others require you to explain users’ rights over their personal information and how they can act on those rights. So, put these details in a clause directly in your privacy policy.
If multiple laws impact your blog, consider creating different clauses for each user location so it’s easier for people to find the proper information.
Data Retention Policy
Under regulations like the GDPR, you must explain your data retention practices in your privacy policy and only store the information for as long as necessary to achieve the original purpose you stated for collecting it in the first place.
Contact Information
Several data privacy laws obligate you to include proper contact information in your privacy policy so users can reach you if they have questions or concerns about your procedures.
Consider an email address, phone number, physical address, or any combination of these.
Good Examples of Blogger Privacy Policies
Next, let’s look at a good example of a Blogger privacy policy to help you get some ideas for writing and formatting your own.
Women Managing the Farm Blogger Privacy Policy
Let’s look at the privacy policy from the blog Women Managing the Farm, hosted on Blogger.
They put a link to their policy directly in the footer of their site, so it’s always accessible no matter what page you end up on.
This site’s privacy policy also does a good job explaining what information they collect. See a sample of this clause below.
The Women Managing the Farm privacy policy also features a clause covering their use of cookies, which complies with data privacy laws like the CCPA.
They also include links to help their users opt out of targeted ads, which is necessary under laws like the GDPR and the CCPA. Check it out below.
Like the Women Managing the Farm Blogger site, ensure your privacy policy clearly and accurately explains all of your data processing activities and provides a way for your users to act on their privacy rights.
FAQs About Blogger Privacy Policies
Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about blogger privacy policies.
What must your Blogger privacy policy include?
Your privacy policy for Blogger sites must include details including:
- What data you collect,
- Why you collect the data,
- How you collect the data,
- If you share or sell it to third parties,
- What rights your users have over their data and how they can act on it,
- Your company contact information.
If you’re subject to following any data privacy laws, ensure your final policy also meets all notification and transparency requirements outlined by those laws.
How can I make a privacy policy for my Blogger site?
There are several ways to make a privacy policy for your Blogger site, but the easiest is to generate it using an automtic solution like Termly.
You can also start with a free template or try writing it yourself.
But if you have very complex data collection practices, consider consulting with an attorney.
Conclusion
Although Blogger doesn’t necessarily require all users to have a privacy policy, many laws around the world do and they may apply to your blog.
It’s your responsibility to determine which laws you must follow and to make a compliant privacy policy meeting all legal requirements.
This is also required by Google’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and Google owns Blogger.
Luckily adding a privacy policy to your Blogger blog is easy and free.
Written by Natasha Piirainen
Natasha Piirainen is a privacy writer with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Philosophy from Wheaton College and over 10 years of professional experience in research-driven content development.
Read all posts by Natasha Piirainen
Reviewed by Masha Komnenic CIPP/E, CIPM, CIPT, FIP
Masha Komnenic is a legal counsel and Termly’s Director of Global Privacy, who received her law degree from Belgrade University. She specializes in implementing, monitoring, and auditing business compliance with privacy regulations (HIPAA, PIPEDA, ePrivacy Directive, GDPR, CCPA, POPIA, LGPD).
Read all posts reviewed by Masha Komnenic CIPP/E, CIPM, CIPT, FIP
