Privacy Policy
Effective Date: March 3, 2026
Last Updated: March 3, 2026
CitationEasy (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website www.citationeasy.com (the “Service”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our tools. Please read this policy carefully. By accessing or using the Service, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide
CitationEasy does not require you to create an account, log in, or provide any personal information to use the Service. We do not collect names, email addresses, or other personally identifiable information unless you voluntarily provide it (for example, by contacting us via email).
1.2 Citation Data
When you use our citation generator, any citation data you enter (titles, authors, URLs, DOIs, etc.) is processed entirely within your browser. We do not transmit, store, or have access to the citation content you create. Your bibliographies are stored locally in your browser's localStorage and are never sent to our servers.
1.3 Automatically Collected Information
When you visit the Service, certain information is collected automatically by third-party services we use:
- Device and browser information: browser type and version, operating system, device type, and screen resolution
- Usage data: pages viewed, time spent on pages, referring URLs, and click patterns
- Network information: IP address (which may be anonymized or truncated depending on the service), approximate geographic location (country or region level)
1.4 Cookies and Similar Technologies
We and our third-party partners use cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar tracking technologies. Cookies are small text files placed on your device that help us analyze website traffic and customize your experience. The types of cookies used on this site include:
- Strictly necessary cookies: required for the website to function (for example, storing your theme preference in localStorage)
- Analytics cookies: used by Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with the website
- Advertising cookies: used by Google AdSense and its partners to serve personalized or non-personalized advertisements
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the automatically collected information to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve the Service
- Analyze usage patterns and trends to enhance user experience
- Monitor the performance and security of the Service
- Display advertisements to support the free Service
- Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service
3. Third-Party Services
3.1 Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to collect and analyze usage data. Google Analytics uses cookies to track your interactions with the Service. Google may use the data collected to contextualize and personalize ads within its own advertising network. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on. For more information on Google's privacy practices, visit the Google Privacy Policy.
3.2 Google AdSense
We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on the Service. Google AdSense may use cookies and web beacons to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visit to this site and other sites on the Internet.
You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. Alternatively, you may opt out of some third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting www.aboutads.info/choices or optout.networkadvertising.org.
3.3 Open Library API
When you use the book search feature, your search query is sent to the Open Library API (operated by the Internet Archive) to retrieve book metadata. We do not control and are not responsible for the privacy practices of the Internet Archive. Please refer to the Internet Archive's Terms of Use for more information.
3.4 DOI Resolution
When you look up a citation by DOI, the DOI is sent to external resolution services (such as doi.org and CrossRef) to retrieve metadata. We do not control the privacy practices of these services.
4. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share automatically collected, non-personally-identifiable information with:
- Service providers: Google (Analytics and AdSense) for analytics and advertising purposes as described above
- Legal requirements: if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request
- Protection of rights: to protect the rights, property, or safety of CitationEasy, our users, or the public
5. Data Retention
We do not store personal data on our servers. Automatically collected analytics data is retained by Google in accordance with their data retention policies. Citation data stored in your browser's localStorage remains on your device until you clear it manually.
6. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:
6.1 General Rights
- Access and portability: you may request a copy of any personal data we hold about you
- Correction: you may request correction of inaccurate personal data
- Deletion: you may request deletion of your personal data
- Opt-out of tracking: you may disable cookies in your browser settings or use the opt-out links provided above
6.2 European Economic Area (EEA) and United Kingdom Residents
If you are located in the EEA or UK, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the right to object to processing, the right to restrict processing, and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. Our legal basis for processing automatically collected data is our legitimate interest in operating and improving the Service and, for advertising cookies, your consent.
6.3 California Residents
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected, request deletion of personal information, and opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information below.
7. Children's Privacy
The Service is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information promptly. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us.
8. Security
We take reasonable measures to protect the information collected through the Service. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
9. International Data Transfers
The Service is hosted and operated in the United States. If you access the Service from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States or other countries where our third-party service providers operate. By using the Service, you consent to such transfers.
10. Links to Other Websites
The Service may contain links to third-party websites that are not operated by us. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of every site you visit.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.citationeasy.com/about