This policy explains how AuthorRank collects, uses, stores, and deletes data when a Shopify merchant installs or uses the app.
Who we are
AuthorRank is a Shopify app that helps merchants add author bios, author attribution, schema controls, and author performance tooling to Shopify blog posts. For privacy questions, contact matthewghosid@gmail.com.
Information we collect
AuthorRank may collect and process the following information:
- Shop information, including shop domain, app installation status, selected plan, and app settings.
- Shopify blog and article information needed to identify posts, authors, categories, article URLs, and post ownership.
- Author profile information entered by the merchant, including display name, title, bio, image URL, website, email, and social links.
- Metafield data created by the app so the storefront bio widget and schema output can render without storefront API calls.
- Billing subscription identifiers returned by Shopify Billing, when a paid plan is selected.
- Google Search Console authorization tokens and performance data if the merchant chooses to connect Google Search Console.
- Support or feature request messages sent by the merchant through support links or forms.
- Technical logs used to diagnose errors, rate limits, sync status, and app availability.
Customer data
AuthorRank is designed for blog author attribution. It does not need to collect, sell, or process Shopify customer records to perform its core functions. If Shopify sends customer data request or customer redaction webhooks, AuthorRank acknowledges them as required by Shopify.
How we use information
- To authenticate the merchant and keep the app installed and connected to Shopify.
- To display, create, update, and sync author profiles and article ownership settings.
- To publish storefront author bio data and optional schema output selected by the merchant.
- To enforce plan limits, billing access, feature permissions, and private test access.
- To generate AI-assisted author bios when requested by the merchant.
- To display Search Console analytics when the merchant connects a Google account.
- To provide support, troubleshoot issues, improve reliability, and prevent abuse.
Merchant control
Merchants decide which author fields to complete, which schema settings to enable, whether to add theme blocks, whether to connect Google Search Console, and whether to assign custom authors to posts. AuthorRank does not guarantee search rankings, traffic, clicks, impressions, revenue, or rich result eligibility.
Third-party services
AuthorRank may use the following services to operate the app and website:
- Shopify, for app authentication, Admin API access, Billing API, theme app extension delivery, and webhook events.
- Railway or another app hosting provider, for app hosting, logs, and database storage.
- Vercel or another static site host, for this marketing and policy website.
- Google APIs, only if the merchant connects Google Search Console.
- Email providers, if the merchant contacts support or submits a feature request.
Data retention and deletion
AuthorRank stores merchant and app data while the app is installed and as needed to operate the service. When the app is uninstalled, AuthorRank receives Shopify uninstall and compliance webhooks and deletes shop-specific app data according to Shopify requirements and the app's technical deletion flow. Merchants can also request deletion by emailing matthewghosid@gmail.com.
Google Search Console data
Google Search Console access is optional. If enabled, AuthorRank uses the connection to retrieve search performance data for the merchant's verified properties and pages. Merchants can revoke Google access from their Google account or disconnect it from the app when available. Search Console data is used to power in-app reporting and is not sold.
Security
AuthorRank uses reasonable technical and organizational safeguards appropriate for a Shopify app, including Shopify authentication, webhook verification, environment-based secrets, and controlled database access. No online service can guarantee absolute security.
International use
AuthorRank may process information in the United States or in locations where hosting and service providers operate. By using the app, merchants understand that information may be processed outside their region.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes to the app, service providers, legal requirements, or data practices. The updated version will be posted on this page with a new "Last updated" date.
Contact
For privacy, data deletion, or support requests, contact matthewghosid@gmail.com.