/legal

Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 27, 2026

Backlinkster (“we,” “us,” “our”) operates backlinkster.com and the peer-to-peer backlink exchange service available through it (the “Service”). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect about you, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. By using the Service, you agree to the practices described here.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information you provide

We collect information you provide directly, including:

  • Account information. Email address, password, display name, and any other information you provide when you register.
  • Profile information. The domain(s) you operate, your niche or industry, content samples you offer for swaps, and any biographical or marketing information you choose to include.
  • Content you submit. Content blocks, copy snippets, target URLs, and any other materials you upload, send, or submit for the purpose of backlink swaps.
  • Verification submissions. URLs you submit as proof of a posted partner link, along with associated metadata.
  • Communications. Any correspondence you send to us, including support inquiries and feedback.
  • Payment information. If you subscribe to a paid plan, our third-party payment processor (currently Stripe) collects payment card details and billing information. Backlinkster does not directly store full payment card numbers.

1.2 Information collected automatically

When you interact with the Service, we automatically collect:

  • Log data. IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, time spent, and timestamps of activity.
  • Device information. Device identifiers, screen size, language preferences.
  • Usage data. Features you use, swaps you initiate or complete, match queue interactions, content you view, and patterns of activity.
  • Cookies and similar technologies. See Section 4.
  • Verification crawl data. When you submit a URL for swap verification, we fetch and parse that URL to confirm the presence and properties of the agreed link. We retain records of those verification attempts and their outcomes.

1.3 Information from third parties

We may receive information about you from third parties:

  • Authentication providers (if you sign in via Google, GitHub, or similar);
  • Payment processors (transaction confirmations, fraud signals);
  • Analytics providers;
  • Other Backlinkster users, when they interact with you through the Service.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Operate, maintain, and improve the Service;
  • Create and manage your account;
  • Match you with potential swap partners based on niche, domain characteristics, and reputation;
  • Crawl and re-verify submitted URLs to confirm that backlink swaps are live and continue to be live;
  • Maintain and update your reputation score and swap history;
  • Process payments and manage subscriptions;
  • Communicate with you about your account, transactional matters, security alerts, and (where permitted) product updates and promotional content. You can opt out of non-transactional communications at any time;
  • Detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, abuse, security incidents, violations of our Terms of Service, and other harmful activity;
  • Comply with legal obligations, respond to lawful requests, and enforce our agreements;
  • Conduct analytics and research to understand how the Service is used and to inform development decisions.

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only in the following circumstances:

3.1 With other users

To facilitate the Service, certain information you provide is visible to other users with whom you choose to interact, including your display name, the domain(s) you have associated with your account, your reputation score, your swap availability status, and any profile or content information you have made available to potential swap partners. Do not include in your profile any information you do not wish to be visible to other users.

3.2 With service providers

We engage third-party service providers to perform services on our behalf. These providers receive only the information they need and are contractually obligated to protect it. Current providers include:

  • Vercel, Inc. — hosting, deployment, edge networking;
  • Stripe, Inc. — payment processing;
  • Transactional email providers;
  • Analytics and error-monitoring providers;
  • Database and infrastructure providers.

3.3 Legal and safety disclosures

We may disclose your information when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to: comply with a legal obligation, court order, subpoena, or other valid legal process; protect the rights, property, or safety of Backlinkster, our users, or the public; investigate and defend against third-party claims; or prevent or detect fraud, abuse, or violations of our Terms of Service.

3.4 Business transfers

If Backlinkster is involved in a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. Where required, we will notify you before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

3.5 With your consent

We may share your information for any other purpose with your consent.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to operate the Service:

  • Strictly necessary cookies are required for the Service to function, including authentication and session management. These cannot be disabled without breaking the Service.
  • Functional cookies remember preferences and settings to improve your experience.
  • Analytics cookies help us understand aggregate usage patterns. You can opt out via your browser settings or any cookie banner we provide.

Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. If you disable cookies, parts of the Service may not function properly.

5. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Service, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Specifically:

  • Account data: retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after closure (typically up to 24 months) for backup and dispute resolution.
  • Swap and verification records: retained for the lifetime of your account and for a reasonable period thereafter for fraud prevention, dispute resolution, and reputation calculations.
  • Log data: retained for up to 24 months.
  • Communications: retained as long as reasonably necessary, typically for the lifetime of your account plus an additional period for legal compliance.

You can request deletion of your account and associated information at any time by contacting us at the address in Section 12.

6. Data Security

We implement commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information. However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. By using the Service, you acknowledge and accept this risk.

7. Your Rights and Choices

7.1 General rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights to access, correct, update, port, or delete the personal information we hold about you, and to object to or restrict certain processing. To exercise these rights, contact us at legal@backlinkster.com. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.

7.2 European Economic Area, UK, and Switzerland

If you are located in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or equivalent legislation, including the right to access your personal data; the right to rectification; the right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”); the right to restrict processing; the right to data portability; the right to object to processing; and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. Our legal basis for processing is typically your consent, the performance of a contract with you, our legitimate interests in operating the Service, or compliance with legal obligations.

7.3 California

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), including the right to know, the right to delete, the right to correct, and the right to opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information. We do not sell your personal information. For full details on your California rights and the opt-out process, see our Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information page. To exercise your rights, contact us at legal@backlinkster.com. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

7.4 Marketing communications

You can opt out of promotional emails at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any such email or by contacting us. Transactional and account-related communications cannot be opted out of while you maintain an account.

7.5 Automated decision-making

We use automated systems to (a) match potential swap partners based on niche, domain characteristics, and reputation, and (b) calculate and update your reputation score based on swap history and link-verification outcomes. These automated decisions may significantly affect your ability to participate in the Service. You have the right to request human review of any automated decision that significantly affects you, to express your point of view, and to contest the decision. Contact us at legal@backlinkster.com to exercise this right.

7.6 Data breach notification

If we discover a security incident that compromises your personal information, we will notify you and any applicable regulator within the timeframes required by applicable law and using the contact information associated with your account.

8. International Data Transfers

Backlinkster is operated from the United States. If you access the Service from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States and in any other country where our service providers operate. By using the Service, you consent to this transfer. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) to protect your information.

9. Children’s Privacy

The Service is not intended for individuals under the age of 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected information from a person under 18, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us at legal@backlinkster.com.

10. Third-Party Links and Sites

The Service may contain links to or interact with third-party websites and services, including the personal or business websites of other users on which backlinks are posted. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of any third-party site. Review the privacy policy of every third-party site you visit.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, the Service, or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will notify you by email (if we have your email address) or by prominent notice on the Service before the change takes effect. The “Last updated” date at the top of this Policy reflects the most recent revision. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of any change constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, contact us at:

Backlinkster
legal@backlinkster.com