Search Beyond Google ("we," "us," or "our") is a digital marketing agency based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information when you visit searchbeyondgoogle.com, contact us, or engage our services. We are committed to compliance with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy legislation.
By using this website, you consent to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the site.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
When you submit the contact or audit request form on this website, we collect:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number (optional)
- Business name and website URL
- Message content and any details you share about your marketing goals
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit the website, our hosting provider (Cloudflare) and analytics tools may automatically collect:
- IP address (anonymised where possible)
- Browser type and version
- Device type and operating system
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- Referring URL (the page that sent you to our site)
- Date and time of visit
1.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use the following cookies and tracking technologies:
- Google Analytics (GA4): Measures website traffic and user behaviour in aggregate. Data is anonymised and not tied to personally identifiable information. You can opt out via Google's opt-out browser add-on.
- Google Tag Manager (GTM): A tag management system that loads analytics and marketing scripts. GTM itself does not collect personal data but manages scripts that may.
- Google Ads conversion tracking: If you arrive via a Google Ads campaign and submit a form, a conversion event is recorded. This helps us measure campaign effectiveness.
- Session cookies: Short-lived cookies that expire when you close your browser, used for basic website functionality.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Respond to your inquiry or audit request
- Schedule and conduct consultation calls
- Provide and manage digital marketing services you engage us for
- Send you requested information about our services
- Improve the website based on aggregate usage data
- Comply with legal obligations
We do not use your information for unsolicited marketing, selling to third parties, or automated decision-making that produces legal effects.
3. Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal information on the following grounds:
- Consent: When you submit a form, you consent to us contacting you regarding your request.
- Contractual necessity: When we provide services to you under a client agreement.
- Legitimate interests: For website analytics and improving our services, balanced against your privacy interests.
- Legal obligation: When required by applicable law.
4. Sharing Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:
- Service providers: We use Cloudflare (hosting and security), Google Workspace (email and scheduling), and project management tools. These providers process data on our behalf under appropriate data processing agreements.
- Legal requirements: If required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
- Business transfer: In the event of a business acquisition or merger, personal data may be transferred to the acquiring party, subject to the same privacy protections.
5. Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy:
- Inquiries that do not convert to clients: Contact form data is retained for up to 12 months, then deleted.
- Client data: Retained for 7 years after the end of the client relationship to comply with Canadian tax and business record requirements.
- Analytics data: Aggregate, anonymised analytics data may be retained indefinitely.
6. Your Rights
Under PIPEDA and applicable law, you have the right to:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Withdrawal of consent: Withdraw consent to processing at any time, subject to legal and contractual limitations.
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information where we have no legal obligation to retain it.
- Complaint: Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) at priv.gc.ca.
To exercise any of these rights, use our contact form. We will respond within 30 days.
7. International Data Transfers
Our website is hosted on Cloudflare's global network and we use Google Workspace, both of which may process data on servers located outside Canada. These providers maintain appropriate safeguards (including Standard Contractual Clauses where applicable) in compliance with international data transfer requirements.
8. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information, including:
- HTTPS encryption on all pages
- Cloudflare DDoS protection and WAF
- Access controls limiting who can access client data
- Regular review of data handling practices
No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but commit to prompt notification if a breach affecting your personal data occurs.
9. Children's Privacy
Our services are directed to businesses and are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe a minor has submitted personal information to us, please contact us immediately.
10. Third-Party Links
This website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party site you visit.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Material changes will be communicated via a notice on the website. Continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
12. Contact Us
For privacy-related inquiries or to exercise your rights: