WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, from personal blogs to large-scale e-commerce stores. If you run a WordPress site in 2026, having a privacy policy isn’t optional — it’s a legal requirement in most jurisdictions and a basic expectation from your visitors. Yet many WordPress site owners either skip their privacy policy entirely, use a generic template that doesn’t reflect what their site actually does, or bury it where no one can find it.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about creating a proper privacy policy for your WordPress site: what data WordPress collects by default, how popular plugins expand that data collection, where to place your policy, how to handle cookie consent, and how to stay compliant with GDPR and other privacy regulations.

Why Your WordPress Site Needs a Privacy Policy

Every WordPress website collects some form of personal data, even if you think yours doesn’t. The moment someone visits your site, their IP address is logged by your web server. If they leave a comment, submit a contact form, or make a purchase, you’re collecting even more information. Privacy laws around the world require you to disclose this data collection to your visitors.

Here are the key reasons a privacy policy for your WordPress site is essential:

Legal compliance: The GDPR (EU and UK), CCPA (California), LGPD (Brazil), PIPEDA (Canada), and Australia’s Privacy Act all require websites that collect personal data to publish a privacy policy
Google requirements: Google AdSense, Google Analytics, and Google Ads all require participating websites to have a clearly accessible privacy policy
Payment processor requirements: Stripe, PayPal, and other payment providers mandate a privacy policy for any site that processes payments
User trust: Visitors are increasingly privacy-aware and expect transparency about how their data is handled
Third-party integrations: Many WordPress plugins and services you integrate require disclosure in your privacy policy

Without a privacy policy, you risk regulatory fines, account suspensions from advertising and payment platforms, and a loss of trust from your audience. In the EU and UK, GDPR fines can reach up to €20 million or 4% of annual global turnover — whichever is higher.

What Data Does WordPress Collect by Default?

Before you start writing your privacy policy, you need to understand what data your WordPress installation collects out of the box — even without any additional plugins installed.

Comments

WordPress’s built-in commenting system collects the commenter’s name, email address, website URL (optional), IP address, and browser user agent string. WordPress also sets cookies on the commenter’s browser to remember their name, email, and website for future comments. If Gravatar is enabled (which it is by default), the commenter’s email address is sent to Automattic’s Gravatar service to retrieve their avatar image.

User Registration and Profiles

If your site allows user registration, WordPress stores usernames, email addresses, passwords (hashed), display names, and biographical information. For sites with multiple user roles — such as contributors, authors, or shop managers — additional profile data may be collected.

Cookies

WordPress sets several cookies by default:

wordpress_logged_in_[hash]: Set when a user logs in, used to identify the authenticated user
wordpress_test_cookie: Used to check whether the browser accepts cookies
wp-settings-[uid] and wp-settings-time-[uid]: Used to customise the admin interface for logged-in users
comment_author, comment_author_email, comment_author_url: Set when a visitor leaves a comment, stored for one year

Media Uploads

Images uploaded to WordPress may contain embedded metadata (EXIF data), including GPS coordinates, camera model, and timestamps. WordPress does not strip this metadata by default, which means uploaded images could inadvertently expose location information.

Popular WordPress Plugins and Their Data Collection

Most WordPress sites use plugins that significantly expand data collection beyond the core platform. Your privacy policy must account for every plugin that handles personal data. Here are the most common ones:

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is the most popular WordPress e-commerce plugin, and it collects extensive customer data: names, billing and shipping addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, payment information, order history, IP addresses, and browser data. WooCommerce also sets its own cookies for cart contents and session management. If you run a WooCommerce store, your privacy policy needs detailed sections covering payment processing, order fulfilment, data retention for tax and legal purposes, and any third-party services used for shipping or payment.

Contact Form 7 and WPForms

Contact form plugins collect whatever information your form fields request — typically names, email addresses, phone numbers, and message content. This data is usually stored in the WordPress database and may also be sent via email. Your privacy policy should disclose what fields you collect, how long the submissions are retained, and who has access to them.

Jetpack

Jetpack by Automattic is a popular all-in-one plugin that includes site stats, security features, and performance tools. It sends data to Automattic’s servers for processing, including visitor IP addresses, browser details, referring URLs, and page views. Jetpack’s site stats module uses tracking pixels that function similarly to Google Analytics. Your privacy policy must disclose Jetpack’s data collection and link to Automattic’s privacy policy.

Google Analytics (via Plugin or Tag)

Whether you use MonsterInsights, Site Kit by Google, or manually insert the tracking code, Google Analytics collects IP addresses, pages visited, time on site, device information, geographic location, referral sources, and browsing behaviour. Google Analytics 4 (GA4) uses first-party cookies and can also collect user IDs if configured. Your privacy policy must explain that you use Google Analytics, what data it collects, and how users can opt out.

Yoast SEO

Yoast SEO itself doesn’t directly collect user data from your visitors. However, it does add structured data (schema markup) to your pages, which can include author names, publication dates, and organisation details. If you use Yoast’s integration with third-party services like Semrush or Wincher, those connections may involve data sharing. Additionally, Yoast’s usage tracking feature (if enabled) sends data about your site configuration to Yoast’s servers.

Other Common Plugins to Consider

Akismet: Sends comment data (including IP addresses and user agents) to Automattic’s servers for spam checking
Wordfence: Collects IP addresses, login attempts, and security event data
Mailchimp for WordPress: Sends subscriber email addresses and names to Mailchimp’s servers
WP Super Cache / W3 Total Cache: May set cookies for caching purposes
Social sharing plugins: Often load third-party scripts that set cookies and track visitors across sites

WordPress Built-In Privacy Tools

WordPress has included built-in privacy tools since version 4.9.6 (released in 2018). These tools were introduced specifically to help site owners comply with GDPR and similar regulations.

Privacy Policy Page Generator

WordPress includes a basic privacy policy template that you can find under Settings → Privacy in your admin dashboard. This template provides a starting point with placeholder text covering common data collection scenarios. However, the built-in template is intentionally generic — it cannot account for your specific plugins, integrations, or business practices. You’ll need to customise it extensively or replace it with a properly tailored policy.

Personal Data Export Tool

Under Tools → Export Personal Data, WordPress allows you to export all personal data associated with a specific email address. This helps you comply with data subject access requests (DSARs) under GDPR. The export includes comments, user profile data, and any data that plugins have registered with the personal data export system.

Personal Data Erasure Tool

Under Tools → Erase Personal Data, WordPress can remove personal data associated with a specific email address. This supports the GDPR right to erasure (right to be forgotten). Well-coded plugins hook into this system so their data is also included in erasure requests.

Your privacy policy should mention that users can submit data access and deletion requests, and explain how to do so.

Where to Add Your Privacy Policy in WordPress

Having a privacy policy is only useful if visitors can actually find it. Here’s where and how to add your privacy policy to your WordPress site:

Step 1: Create a Privacy Policy Page

Go to Pages → Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Create a new page titled “Privacy Policy” and paste your policy content. Publish the page.

Step 2: Set It as Your Privacy Policy Page

Navigate to Settings → Privacy in your WordPress admin. Select your newly created privacy policy page from the dropdown menu. This designates it as the official privacy policy page, which WordPress uses in several places automatically (such as the login and registration screens).

Step 3: Add It to Your Footer Menu

Go to Appearance → Menus (or Appearance → Editor for block themes). Add your privacy policy page to your footer menu. This ensures it’s visible on every page of your site. Best practice is to include it alongside other legal pages such as your terms of service and cookie policy.

Step 4: Link It From Key Locations

Beyond the footer, consider adding a link to your privacy policy in these locations:

Below contact forms and newsletter signup forms
On the WooCommerce checkout page (WooCommerce has a built-in setting for this)
On the user registration page
In the comment form area
In your cookie consent banner

Cookie Consent for WordPress

Under GDPR, the UK GDPR, and the ePrivacy Directive, you must obtain user consent before setting non-essential cookies. Since most WordPress sites set cookies through analytics, advertising, and social media plugins, you almost certainly need a cookie consent mechanism.

What Counts as a Non-Essential Cookie?

Essential cookies — those strictly necessary for the website to function (like WordPress login cookies or WooCommerce cart cookies) — do not require consent. However, the following do require consent:

Google Analytics tracking cookies
Facebook Pixel cookies
Advertising network cookies
Social media sharing widget cookies
Hotjar, Crazy Egg, or other session recording cookies
YouTube or Vimeo embed cookies

Implementing Cookie Consent on WordPress

Several WordPress plugins can help you implement cookie consent properly:

Complianz: A comprehensive plugin that scans your site for cookies, generates a cookie policy, and displays a configurable consent banner
CookieYes: Offers a GDPR and CCPA-compliant cookie consent solution with automatic cookie scanning
Cookie Notice & Compliance for GDPR / CCPA: A lightweight option for basic cookie consent

Whichever plugin you choose, make sure it blocks non-essential cookies until consent is given (not just displaying a banner). A cookie banner that doesn’t actually control cookies is not compliant. Your privacy policy should describe the cookies your site uses, categorise them, and explain how visitors can manage their preferences.

GDPR Compliance for WordPress Sites

The GDPR applies to any WordPress site that processes personal data of individuals in the EU or UK — regardless of where your site is hosted. Here’s what your WordPress privacy policy must cover for GDPR compliance:

Data controller identity: Your name or business name and contact details
Legal basis for processing: Specify whether you rely on consent, contract performance, legitimate interest, or legal obligation for each type of data processing
Data categories: List the types of personal data you collect (names, emails, IP addresses, etc.)
Processing purposes: Explain why you collect each type of data
Data recipients: Disclose third parties who receive personal data (hosting provider, analytics services, email marketing platforms, payment processors)
International transfers: If data is transferred outside the UK or EU (e.g., to US-based services like Google or Mailchimp), disclose this and explain the safeguards in place
Retention periods: State how long you keep different types of data
User rights: Inform visitors of their rights to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, object to processing, and port their data
Right to complain: Inform users of their right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (e.g., the ICO in the UK)

Many WordPress site owners overlook the requirement to disclose international data transfers. If you use Cloudflare, Google Analytics, Mailchimp, or any US-based service, you are transferring data outside the UK and EU, and this must be disclosed in your privacy policy.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your WordPress Privacy Policy

Follow these steps to create a privacy policy that accurately reflects your WordPress site’s data practices:

1. Audit Your Data Collection

Start by documenting every way your WordPress site collects personal data. Go through your active plugins list and check each one. Review your theme for embedded tracking codes. Check your hosting provider’s logging practices. List all third-party services your site connects to. Don’t forget about CDN services, email services, and embedded content from external sources.

2. Identify Your Legal Bases

For each type of data processing, determine your legal basis under GDPR. Comment moderation might rely on legitimate interest. Newsletter subscriptions rely on consent. WooCommerce order processing relies on contract performance. Security logging might rely on legitimate interest.

3. Determine Retention Periods

Decide how long you keep different types of data. WordPress comments are kept indefinitely by default. WooCommerce orders may need to be retained for tax purposes (typically six years in the UK). Analytics data can often be set to auto-delete after a defined period in your analytics platform settings.

4. Draft Your Policy

Your privacy policy should be written in clear, plain English — avoid legal jargon wherever possible. Cover all the categories listed in the GDPR section above. Be specific about your site rather than using vague, generic language. If you use Google Analytics, say so by name. If you use WooCommerce with Stripe, state that explicitly.

5. Publish and Link

Create the page in WordPress, set it as your designated privacy policy page under Settings → Privacy, add it to your footer menu, and link to it from your forms and checkout pages. Test that the page loads correctly and that all links within the policy work.

6. Set Up Cookie Consent

Install a cookie consent plugin, scan your site for cookies, configure the consent banner to block non-essential cookies until consent is given, and link the banner to your privacy policy.

7. Review and Update Regularly

Your privacy policy isn’t a one-and-done document. Review it whenever you add or remove plugins, change hosting providers, integrate new third-party services, or update your data practices. A good cadence is to review your policy quarterly and after any significant changes to your site.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When setting up a WordPress privacy policy, watch out for these frequent pitfalls:

Using the default WordPress template without customisation: The built-in template is a starting point, not a finished policy. It won’t cover your specific plugins and integrations.
Forgetting about plugin data collection: Every active plugin that handles user data must be accounted for in your privacy policy.
Not mentioning third-party services by name: Vague references to “third-party analytics” are not sufficient. Name the services you use.
Ignoring cookie consent: A privacy policy alone does not satisfy cookie consent requirements. You need a separate consent mechanism.
Hiding the privacy policy: Your policy must be easily accessible from every page, typically via a footer link.
Never updating the policy: An outdated privacy policy that doesn’t reflect your current practices is potentially worse than not having one at all.

Generate Your WordPress Privacy Policy with LegalForge

Writing a comprehensive, accurate privacy policy for your WordPress site can feel overwhelming, especially when you need to account for every plugin, integration, and data flow. Generic templates rarely cover WordPress-specific concerns like Gravatar data sharing, WooCommerce payment processing, or Jetpack analytics.

LegalForge takes the guesswork out of the process. For a one-time payment of £19, you get a professionally drafted privacy policy tailored to your specific WordPress setup. Simply answer a few questions about your site — which plugins you use, what data you collect, whether you run an e-commerce store — and LegalForge generates a complete, GDPR-compliant privacy policy ready to publish on your site.

No subscriptions, no recurring fees, no legal jargon. Just a clear, compliant privacy policy that accurately reflects what your WordPress site does with visitor data.

Privacy Policy for WordPress: The Complete Setup Guide (2026)