Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

Our website address is: https://storydl.com.

StoryDL is a digital magazine and free tools platform focused on Instagram tips, social media growth, and story-related applications. For privacy-related requests, contact us at info@storydl.com.

2. What data we collect

Depending on how you use StoryDL, we may collect the following categories of data:

• Contact information — name, email address, and message content when you use our contact form or subscribe to our newsletter
• Comment data — name, email, website URL, IP address, and browser user agent when you leave a comment
• Usage and device data — pages viewed, tools used, approximate location, device type, browser type, referring URL, and timestamps
• Advertising and analytics data — cookie IDs, ad interaction data, and aggregated traffic insights via advertising/analytics partners
• Technical/security data — IP address, diagnostics, and spam-prevention signals

3. How we use your data

We use collected information to:

• Operate, maintain, and improve StoryDL and our free tools
• Respond to messages and provide support
• Send newsletters if you opted in
• Understand traffic and content performance
• Display advertising and measure ad performance
• Detect spam, fraud, and technical issues
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Advertising (Google AdSense, Ezoic & partners)

StoryDL displays third-party advertising to keep our tools and content free.

Google AdSense

We use Google AdSense and related Google advertising services. Google and its partners may use cookies, advertising IDs, and similar technologies to serve ads based on your visits to this site and/or other sites on the internet.

• Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your prior visits to StoryDL or other websites
• You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings
• You can also visit www.aboutads.info to opt out of personalized ads from many providers

For more information, see the Google Advertising Privacy & Terms and Google Privacy Policy.

Ezoic and other ad platforms

We may also work with ad optimization/mediation platforms such as Ezoic or similar partners. These platforms may set cookies, collect device/usage data, and help us decide which ads to show, how to place them, and how to improve yield and user experience.

If Ezoic is active on StoryDL, its privacy and data practices also apply. Please review Ezoic’s privacy documentation on their website for details about their processing roles and technologies.

Non-personalized ads

In some regions (including parts of Europe), you may see non-personalized ads if consent for personalized advertising is not given. Non-personalized ads still use contextual information (for example, the page you are viewing) and basic technical signals, but are not based on your long-term profile.

5. Analytics (Google Analytics)

We use or may use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how visitors use StoryDL (for example, popular pages, traffic sources, and tool usage trends).

• Google Analytics may collect online identifiers, device/browser data, approximate location, and in-app/on-site events
• We use this information in aggregated or analytical form to improve content, tools, and site performance
• Where required, Analytics is loaded only after appropriate consent

Learn more: Google Privacy Policy and Google’s guidance on Analytics data controls. You can also use browser controls/add-ons to limit Analytics measurement where available.

Note: We do not currently use Meta (Facebook) Pixel. If that changes in the future, we will update this Privacy Policy before enabling it.

6. Cookies & similar technologies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We use cookies and similar technologies for essentials, preferences, analytics, and advertising.

Types of cookies we use

• Essential cookies — required for core site functions, security, and consent storage
• Preference cookies — remember choices such as comment form details
• Analytics cookies — help us measure traffic and improve the site (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Advertising cookies — used by AdSense/Ezoic/partners to deliver, frequency-cap, and measure ads

WordPress/session examples

If you leave a comment, you may opt in to saving your name, email, and website in cookies for one year so you do not have to re-enter them.

If you visit the login page, a temporary cookie may be set to test whether your browser accepts cookies. Login and screen-option cookies may be set if you log in. Editing a post may set a short-lived cookie containing the post ID.

Your cookie choices

• Use our cookie consent banner (where shown) to accept/reject non-essential cookies
• Control cookies through your browser settings (block/delete cookies)
• Manage Google ad personalization via Ads Settings

Blocking some cookies may affect site functionality or ad relevance.

7. Comments

When visitors leave comments, we collect the data shown in the comments form, plus the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.

An anonymized string created from your email address (a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar privacy policy is available at https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval, your profile picture may be visible publicly with your comment.

8. Media

If you upload images to the website, avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors can download and extract location data from images if present.

9. Embedded content from other websites

Articles may include embedded content (videos, images, maps, posts, etc.). Embedded content behaves as if you visited the third-party site and may collect data, use cookies, and track interaction with that content.

10. Contact forms & newsletter

When you submit our contact form or subscribe to our newsletter, we collect the information you provide (typically name, email, and message content).

• Contact form: used to respond to your inquiry. Submissions may be emailed to us and/or stored in our system (for example via Flamingo or similar) for support and record-keeping
• Newsletter: used to send product/tool updates, Instagram tips, and related content. You can unsubscribe anytime via the link in each email

We do not sell these details to third parties for their own marketing.

11. Use of our free tools

StoryDL offers free browser-based tools (such as palette extractors, bio helpers, story utilities, and similar features).

• Most tools do not require an account
• Inputs you paste/upload are generally processed to generate an immediate result and are not kept as a permanent personal profile
• We may keep limited technical logs (for example, that a tool was used, error diagnostics, abuse prevention) without unnecessarily identifying you
• If a specific tool needs longer storage, we will disclose that in the tool interface

12. Who we share your data with

We do not sell personal information. We share data only with categories of recipients needed to run StoryDL:

• Advertising partners — Google AdSense and, where used, Ezoic or other ad networks/SSPs for ad delivery and measurement
• Analytics providers — Google Analytics for traffic analysis
• Infrastructure providers — hosting, CDN, security, backup, and email delivery providers
• Spam/fraud prevention services — to protect forms and comments
• Legal authorities — when required by law or to protect rights, safety, and integrity

These providers process data under their own privacy terms and, where applicable, data-processing agreements.

13. How long we retain your data

• Comments: retained indefinitely so follow-up comments can be recognized/moderated
• User accounts (if any): profile data retained while the account remains active
• Contact form messages: retained as long as needed for support and legitimate business records
• Newsletter data: retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion
• Analytics/ads logs: retained according to provider settings and our operational needs (often aggregated or pseudonymous)

14. International transfers

StoryDL is used by a global audience. Our service providers may process data in the United States and other countries. Where required by law, we rely on appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses or equivalent transfer mechanisms used by our providers).

15. Your privacy rights (including GDPR/UK GDPR)

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal data.

For everyone

• Request access to personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of personal data (subject to legal/legitimate exceptions)
• Object to certain processing or withdraw consent where processing is consent-based
• Unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time

Additional rights for EEA/UK users

If you are in the European Economic Area or United Kingdom, you may also have the right to:

• Restrict processing in certain circumstances
• Data portability (receive data in a commonly used format)
• Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

To exercise these rights, email info@storydl.com with the subject line “Privacy Request”. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling the request.

Legal bases (GDPR/UK GDPR)

Where GDPR/UK GDPR applies, we generally process data under one or more of these bases:

• Consent — for non-essential cookies, personalized ads, and newsletter signup
• Legitimate interests — to secure, operate, and improve the site; prevent abuse; understand aggregated traffic
• Contract/service request — to respond to messages you send us
• Legal obligation — when the law requires retention or disclosure

16. Children’s privacy

StoryDL is not directed at children under 13 (or under the age required by local law). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal data, contact us and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

17. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect personal data. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

18. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time—especially when we add analytics, change ad partners, or launch new tools. The “Last updated” date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of StoryDL after an update means you accept the revised policy.

19. Contact us

For privacy questions, data requests, or cookie concerns:

• Email: info@storydl.com
• Contact page: https://storydl.com/contact-us/
• Terms: https://storydl.com/terms/