Privacy Policy

Local homepage suggestions

To suggest relevant professionals on the homepage, we can use an approximate city and region supplied by our hosting provider. This is not precise device location and may be inaccurate. You can change the area or choose all locations. A first-party preference cookie remembers your explicit choice on this browser for 30 days. We do not save raw IP addresses or create a visitor identifier for this personalization feature. This is separate from usage measurement and hosting/security processing described below.

First-party usage measurement

We measure public page and profile views, submitted directory searches and filters, guided matches, clicks on professional and contact links, contact-form starts, accepted inquiries, and broad scroll milestones. Usage events contain predefined event types, public professional references, selected profession and reliably resolved searched city/state geography, and counts. They do not contain private search narratives, contact-form contents, audio, precise visitor location, or persistent visitor/session identifiers. We measure the places searched for, not your physical location. Ambiguous locations remain unresolved. Multi-city requests can contribute to each resolved city. We do not record your screen or keystrokes.

Optional browser measurement uses our own endpoint and existing hosting and database providers. You can turn it off using the footer control; we also honor Global Privacy Control for these browser events. Your choice is stored on this browser. Operational search-quality, inquiry and abuse-prevention processing remains necessary for those features. We use short-lived keyed network/browser identifiers separately to limit abusive event submissions.

Usage-event details become eligible for deletion after 180 days, and abuse-control records after two days. They are normally removed by the next successful daily cleanup run; delayed or failed runs can delay deletion. We prepare restricted monthly statistics with coarse groups, suppressed small counts and reduced precision, which may be kept long-term for service improvement, coverage and commercial planning. We may publish sufficiently protected research about activity on Local Top Experts after privacy and methodology review. Grouping is not a guarantee of anonymity. These statistics do not describe the entire market. We do not sell visitor records or use private matching narratives for advertising targeting.

Who we are and what this covers

Local Top Experts is a professional directory operated by Optimize5. This policy explains information processed through the directory, guided search, profile requests, inquiries and connected profile-management features. Third-party websites and professionals have their own privacy practices.

Information we collect

When you search, we process your search text, selected profession and locations, follow-up answers, matching criteria, results and any feedback you submit. Text entered in an open field can include personal information, so please avoid sensitive or unnecessary details.

If you submit a profile claim, correction, removal request or inquiry, we collect the contact details, relationship to the profile, message, supporting links and other information entered in that form. Professional profiles can include names, company details, business contact information, locations, biographies, credentials, photos, videos, service areas and other submitted professional information.

We also receive professional information from Optimize5 client records, connected business-listing systems such as Yext, profile owners and sources identified on a profile. Some profiles may be created before the professional claims them. Hosting and security services process technical information such as IP addresses, browser information, requested pages, timestamps and error events. We derive a keyed identifier from network and browser information to limit abuse.

How we use information

We use information to operate the directory, prepare and maintain professional profiles, interpret requests, find relevant matches, handle corrections and ownership requests, route inquiries, provide account access, prevent abuse, troubleshoot problems and improve coverage and matching quality. Account and payment information is also used to manage requested subscriptions and support.

Profile information intended for publication is visible to visitors. Search-quality records, inquiry contact details and claim-request contact details are not added to a public profile merely because you submit them. Authorized staff and service providers may access them for the purposes described here.

Guided search and optional voice input

When enabled, OpenAI processes guided-search text to interpret practical service needs and locations. Matching uses professional profile information; it is not a professional assessment or a guarantee of suitability. Automated interpretation can make mistakes, and you can revise your request.

Voice input is optional and requires microphone permission. When used, audio is sent for transcription, and you can review or edit the resulting text before submitting a search. The application does not save the audio as a profile attachment. Service providers may process and retain information under their own service terms and security requirements. Please do not include financial account numbers, government identifiers, medical records or other sensitive information in a search or voice recording.

When information is shared

We use service providers to host the site, store data, authenticate accounts, process optional AI and voice features, deliver service messages, manage business listings, support customer records and process payments. The current implementation uses Vercel for hosting, Supabase for storage and authentication, OpenAI for enabled AI/voice features, and Elastic Email for configured service-message delivery. Connected Optimize5 systems may use additional providers for CRM, listings and billing.

When an inquiry is routed to a professional, the contact details and message you provide are shared for that purpose. During limited-release testing, inquiries may instead be routed to Optimize5 staff. A submission does not guarantee that a professional has received or will respond to it.

We may disclose information when required by law, to protect rights and security, or in connection with a business reorganization or transfer subject to applicable protections. Following an external profile, map or video link takes you to another provider. Playing an embedded video connects to its provider and is subject to that provider’s practices.

How long information is kept

Guided-search quality records have a 180-day retention setting. Scheduled daily cleanup removes records older than 180 days, so removal normally occurs on the next successful daily run. We monitor failed or delayed runs. These records may include redacted search text, interpreted criteria, ranked results and feedback. Automatic redaction targets common email and phone formats, but it is not a guarantee that free text contains no personal information.

Profile, account, inquiry, request, security and business records are retained according to their purpose, operational needs, applicable legal obligations and dispute or fraud-prevention needs. Different records and service-provider logs can have different retention periods. A subscription ending does not automatically delete the underlying profile or account. Contact us about a specific record or deletion request.

Cookies and browser controls

Authentication features use cookies to maintain signed-in sessions. Hosting and security services may use technical information to deliver and protect the service. The current directory does not implement advertising-pixel or cross-site advertising-cookie features. Embedded media and external sites may use their own cookies after you interact with them. See our Cookies & Tracking page for details.

The directory does not currently change its operation in response to the browser’s legacy Do Not Track signal. You can block cookies in your browser, but account features may stop working. This statement does not limit rights you may have under an applicable privacy law.

Your requests and choices

You can request access to, correction of or deletion of information about you, or ask about applicable privacy choices, by contacting Optimize5 using the address below. Please identify the relevant profile or interaction without sending sensitive identification documents. We may need to verify your identity or authority before acting. Applicable law determines available rights, response deadlines and exceptions.

Professionals may also use the profile claim, correction or removal request process. We review requests before changing ownership or publication. If a privacy request is denied, you can contact us to request a further review or appeal where applicable. You may also contact the relevant privacy regulator. We do not require a paid plan to submit a privacy request.

Security and service audience

We use access restrictions and technical safeguards, but no website, transmission or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. The service is intended for adults seeking professional services and for professional profile owners. It is not directed to children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us so we can investigate.

Our service providers may process information in the United States and other locations where they operate. The protections available in those locations can differ. Contact us for questions about a particular processing activity.

Changes and contact

We will post policy updates here with a revised date and provide additional notice when required. Contact Optimize5 at the email below with privacy questions or requests. Do not include passwords or sensitive account information in your message.