This page explains what data this site collects, who else sees it, and what you can do about it. I've tried to keep it short and plain.
The short version
- I don't ask for your name or make you sign up for anything.
- Google Analytics tells me how many people visit and which pages they read. It doesn't tell me who you are.
- Google shows ads here through AdSense, and those ads can use cookies.
- Five tools on the site use affiliate links. I might earn a commission if you buy through them.
- If you join the newsletter, I keep your email address and use it only for the newsletter.
- If you use My AI Workspace, the tools you pin are saved in your own browser. That list never leaves your device.
- If you suggest a tool and leave your email, I use it only to reply about that suggestion.
- I don't sell your info.
Who runs this site
AIForgeHub.tools is a one-person site. I'm Mike, and I run it myself. If you have a question about your data, use the contact page or email me at admin@aiforgehub.tools.
Analytics (Google Analytics 4)
I use Google Analytics 4 to see things like page views, which pages are popular, roughly where visitors come from (country or city), what device and browser they use, and which site sent them here. I only look at totals. I can't see who you are.
Google Analytics sets cookies (they start with _ga) to tell new visits from repeat ones. Google processes this data under its own policies.
To opt out, you can use the Google Analytics opt-out add-on, block cookies in your browser, or use an ad or tracker blocker. The site works fine either way.
Ads and cookies (Google AdSense)
The site shows ads from Google AdSense. That's one of the two ways it pays for itself. Google and its ad partners may use cookies and similar tech to show ads, measure them, and stop fraud. That can include ads based on other sites you've visited.
I don't pick the individual ads and I don't get any personal info about you from Google.
Visitors in the EEA, the UK and Switzerland: you’ll see a consent message from Google’s consent tool before ads can use cookies or personal data. You can say yes, no, or pick what you allow, and change your mind later from the privacy settings link that the message adds to the page.
If you don't want personalized ads, you can turn them off here:
- Google My Ad Center (Ads Settings), to turn off personalized ads from Google
- aboutads.info, to opt out of personalized ads from many ad companies at once (US)
- youronlinechoices.eu, the same thing for visitors in Europe
You can also read how Google uses data from sites that use its services.
Affiliate links
A few links are affiliate links. Right now that's ElevenLabs, Runway, Descript, Synthesia and Meshy. They're always marked "affiliate link". If you sign up or buy through one, I may earn a commission. It doesn't cost you anything extra.
When you click one, the other company (and its affiliate network, like PartnerStack for ElevenLabs and Descript, Rewardful for Synthesia, or PromoteKit for Meshy) may set its own cookie so it knows the visit came from me. That happens on their site, under their privacy policy, not mine.
Affiliate deals never decide what gets listed or how it's ranked. Most tools on the site have no affiliate link at all. And no one can pay to be listed. More on how I review.
Newsletter
If you sign up for the newsletter, the form sends your email address to Netlify, the company that hosts this site. It's stored in my Netlify account. That's the only thing the newsletter form asks for. Netlify may also check the submission for spam.
I use your email only to send the AIForgeHub newsletter. I don't sell it or share it with anyone else.
To unsubscribe, reply to any newsletter or email admin@aiforgehub.tools. Tell me if you also want your address deleted and I'll remove it from my records. Same goes if you just want to know what I have on you.
Tool suggestions
The "Know a tool that belongs here?" form on the homepage asks for the tool's name, its website and why you think it's good. You can also leave your email, but you don't have to. Like the newsletter form, it's sent to Netlify and stored in my Netlify account.
I use what you send only to look at the tool. If you left your email, I use it only to reply about your suggestion. It doesn't get added to the newsletter, and I don't sell it or share it. Want your suggestion or email deleted? Write to admin@aiforgehub.tools and I'll remove it.
Stuff stored in your browser
The site only saves something in your browser if you pin a tool (see My AI Workspace) or use Compare. When you pin a tool, the list of tools you pinned is saved in your browser's local storage (localStorage). It's just a short list of tool names, like "gamma" or "claude".
That list stays on your device. It isn't sent to me or anyone else, and I can't see it. There's no account behind it. If you never pin anything, nothing gets saved there.
To remove it, use the "Clear all my pins" button on the workspace page, or clear this site's data in your browser settings. Private or incognito windows usually forget it when you close them.
When you tap Compare on a few tools, I keep those tool names in this tab's session storage (sessionStorage) so your picks follow you from page to page. They're gone when you close the tab, and the Clear button removes them right away. Like pins, they never leave your device.
The Copy buttons on the workspace page just put a prompt on your clipboard. Nothing gets sent anywhere.
The search box and category filters on the homepage don't save anything. They forget everything when you leave. The only cookies come from Google Analytics, Google's ads, and the affiliate partners above.
Server logs and outside services
Netlify keeps standard server logs to run and protect the site. These can include your IP address, browser type, the page you asked for, and the time. I don't use them to figure out who anyone is.
The page styling loads from the Tailwind CSS server (cdn.tailwindcss.com), and the ad and analytics code loads from Google. Like any website, those servers see your IP address when your browser asks for the file. The tool logos are stored on this site, so those don't load from anywhere else.
Emailing me
If you email me, I use your message only to reply. Ask any time and I'll delete our emails.
Kids
This site is meant for adults. I don't knowingly collect info from kids under 13.
Changes
If I change how the site handles data, I'll update this page and the date at the top.