GDPR

Definition

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a set of regulations implemented by the European Union (EU) in 2018 aimed at improving the protection of the privacy rights of its citizens. It requires businesses to protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens for transactions that occur within EU member states. It also regulates the exportation of personal data outside the EU.

GDPR Relevance For SEO

While GDPR doesn’t directly affects rankings, it plays a significant role in SEO because it changes how companies can collect and use data from users. A website’s SEO strategy often relies on data obtained from its users to optimize content, tailor user experiences, and target advertising. Under GDPR, this data can only be collected with users’ explicit consent, requiring transparency about the type of data collected, how it will be used, and how long it will be stored. Non-compliance with GDPR can lead to hefty fines, and hence, becomes an essential aspect to factor into SEO strategies.

GDPR Best Practices for SEO

• Transparency: Be clear about what data you’re collecting and why. Include this information in your privacy policy.
• Consent: Always ask users for their explicit consent before collecting data. This can be accomplished via checkboxes or similar methods that require a direct action from the user to provide consent.
• Data Minimization: Collect only the data you need. The more personal data you hold, the higher the risk.
• Right to Access: Ensure that users can access the data you hold about them.
• Right to Erasure: Give users the option to have their data erased. Also known as ‘the right to be forgotten’.
• Data Storage: Limit how long you keep data. Define a clear retention period after which personal data should be deleted.