Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 15, 2026

1. Introduction

Who we are: The Pool Nerd ("we", "our", or "us") publishes reviews, buying guides and pool maintenance advice at thepoolnerd.com.
What this covers: This policy explains what information we collect when you read the site, create an account, comment, share a photo or join our email list, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have.
Scope: It applies to thepoolnerd.com and any related pages, emails and services we run.

Information you give us
- Account: When you create an account we collect your email address, a password (which we never see in plain text; it is handled by our sign-in provider, Google Firebase Authentication) and the display name you choose. Your display name is public: it appears next to anything you post.
- Comments: The text of any comment you post, the article it was posted on, and the time it was posted or edited.
- Photos: Any photo you attach to a comment. Photos are resized in your browser before upload and stored with your comment.
- Email list: Your email address, your display name, the date and wording of your consent, and whether you are currently subscribed.
- Messages: Anything you send us when you contact us.
Information collected automatically
- Usage data: Pages viewed, links clicked (including affiliate links), approximate location derived from your IP address, browser and device type, and referring pages, collected through cookies and similar technologies and through our analytics and advertising partners.
- Service logs: Our hosting and database providers keep standard server logs (IP address, timestamps, requests) to run and secure the service.

To run the site: Signing you in, showing your comments, keeping your account secure and enforcing our Terms.
To moderate: Every comment and photo is reviewed by a moderator before it appears publicly. We use your account details, comment history and any photo you attach to make that decision and to stop spam and abuse, which can include restricting an account from posting.
To send email: If you are on our email list we send occasional emails about new reviews, deals and pool tips. We may also send account emails you cannot opt out of, such as email verification and password resets.
To improve the site: Understanding which content is useful and how the site is used.
Affiliate marketing: We take part in affiliate programs, including Amazon Associates. When you click an affiliate link the retailer may use cookies to attribute a purchase to us.

What others can see: Your display name, your approved comments and any photos attached to them are visible to anyone who visits the site, and may be indexed by search engines. Please do not include personal details, such as your address or phone number, in a comment or photo.
What stays private: Your email address, password, sign-in history, moderation status and email-list preference are never shown publicly.

Joining: You can join by entering your email in the subscribe box on our Deals page. When you create an account or sign in there is also a pre-ticked box to join; untick it if you would rather not receive our emails, and you can still use your account fully. We record the wording you agreed to and when.
One entry per address: Each email address is listed at most once, so you will never be signed up twice.
Leaving: Unsubscribe at any time from the Email updates section of your account page, by using the unsubscribe link in any email we send, or by contacting us. Unsubscribing stops marketing email only; account emails such as password resets still work.
No selling: We do not sell or rent our email list.

Service providers: We use Google Firebase (Authentication, Cloud Firestore and Cloud Storage) to store accounts, comments, photos and the email list, and Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud to host the site. These providers process data on our behalf under their own security commitments and may store it in the United States.
Email providers: We use email service providers to deliver our emails and to measure opens and clicks.
Affiliates and analytics: We share the data described in section 2 with affiliate networks, analytics and advertising partners for attribution and measurement.
Legal: We may disclose information if required by law, to enforce our Terms, or to protect the rights, safety or property of The Pool Nerd, our readers or others.
Business changes: If we sell or transfer the site, information may transfer with it under the same commitments.

Accounts: Kept until you delete your account or ask us to remove it.
Comments and photos: Kept while they are published or awaiting review. You can delete your own comments at any time, which also removes the attached photo. Comments a moderator rejects stay hidden and may be deleted.
Email list: If you unsubscribe we keep a record that the address opted out so that we do not email it again.
Moderation and security logs: Records of moderation decisions and administrative actions are kept for as long as needed to run the site safely.

Access and correction: You can change your display name and email preference from your account page at any time.
Deletion: You can delete your own comments from the article they appear on. To delete your account entirely, contact us from the email address on the account and we will remove your account, profile, comments and photos.
Marketing: See section 5 for how to unsubscribe.
Cookies: You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings; some features of the site may not work without them.
Regional rights: Depending on where you live you may have additional rights, such as the right to receive a copy of your data or to object to certain processing. Contact us to exercise them and we will respond within the time required by law.

How we protect data: All traffic to the site is encrypted, and access to accounts, comments, photos and the email list is restricted by server-side security rules so that only you (and our moderators, where needed) can reach your information. No method of storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Age limit: The site and its accounts are intended for people aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect information from children; if you believe a child has created an account, contact us and we will remove it.

Updates: We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top shows when it last changed, and significant changes will be highlighted on the site.

Questions or requests: Contact us through the details on our About page, or reply to any email we have sent you.