Privacy Policy

Analytics and path feedback

HowConnected uses basic analytics to understand page visits and broad product usage, including whether searches succeed, time out, are shared, lead to another search, or begin from Explore, Surprise Me, or the browser extension. Extension attribution uses only a fixed source label; it does not include the Wikipedia page URL or a persistent user identifier. Analytics events do not include search text, full browsing URLs, contact-form contents, or email addresses. The site also accepts path-quality feedback, such as whether a result was useful and a selected reason. This feedback helps improve connection quality.

Admin and internal diagnostic data is designed not to intentionally collect personally identifiable information. Please do not submit personal information through feedback controls.

Daily challenge progress

The experimental daily challenge stores completed UTC dates and an optional streak only in your browser. This local progress is not an account, does not synchronize across devices, and is not sent to HowConnected. Bounded challenge analytics may record the reviewed puzzle identifier, category, UTC date, whether an answer was correct, a fixed reading or evidence link type, and a successful share method, but not the selected answer, full link URL, or a personal identifier.

Contact messages and publisher requests

When you use the contact form, HowConnected sends the name, email address, subject, and message you provide to the site owner through an email delivery provider. Contact messages are not stored in the connection graph. This information is used to review and respond to your request and to prevent abuse of the form.

Publisher widget requests also send the organization name, contact email, optional website URL, requested connection, intended use, request scope, and optional nonbinding commercial-interest response to the site owner. These details are used only to evaluate and reply to the request. They are not automatically published, added to the graph, or included in analytics events.

Cookies and similar technologies

Analytics providers and other site services may use cookies or similar technologies where applicable. Browser settings can be used to control or remove cookies, though doing so may affect some site features.

Possible future advertising

HowConnected does not currently display Google AdSense ads. The site may add advertising in the future. If it does, third-party vendors such as Google may use cookies, web beacons, IP addresses, or other identifiers to serve, personalize, and measure ads. Before any ad code is activated, this policy will identify the active providers and explain the available consent and privacy choices.

You can manage or opt out of personalized ads through Google's Ads Settings.

Personal information and updates

HowConnected does not sell personal information. This policy may be updated as the site, its providers, and its features evolve. The latest version will be posted on this page with an updated date.