Legal · Privacy
Privacy Policy
SearchStack Chrome Extension · Last updated: June 28, 2026
Overview
The SearchStack Chrome extension ("Extension") provides two features for SEO agencies: Fan-Out (ChatGPT search query capture) and Argus (on-page SEO auditing). This policy explains what data the Extension accesses, how it is stored, and when it is sent to SearchStack servers or third parties.
Important: Fan-out captures are stored on your device by default. Sending data to the SearchStack panel is optionaland only happens when you sign in and enable "Forward to panel."
Data summary
| Data | Collected? | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Fan-out captures | Stored on device | Optional: SearchStack API |
| OAuth session | Stored on device | SearchStack OAuth server |
| SEO page metadata | Temporary, for UI | Not sent to servers |
| Claude API key (optional) | Stored on device | Directly to Anthropic API |
| Analytics / telemetry | No | — |
1. Fan-Out capture
The Extension captures ChatGPT fan-out search queries only on chatgpt.com and chat.openai.com, and only after you explicitly start listening.
Captured data may include:
- Capture timestamp
- Page URL
- User prompt
- Fan-out search queries
- Source snippets and product cards (if present)
- Summary of the model response
This data is stored in chrome.storage.local on your device. If "Forward to panel" is disabled, no data is sent to SearchStack servers.
Optional SearchStack panel sync
When you sign in, authentication uses OAuth 2.0 with PKCE. Session tokens (access and refresh) are stored only on your device. With "Forward to panel" enabled, captures are sent to https://searchstack.peaktoo.com/api and appear in your agency panel. This applies only to signed-in users.
2. SEO auditing (Argus)
SEO metadata is read from web pages (http/https) in the active tab when you open the side panel or run an audit.
Data accessed includes:
- HTML meta tags (title, description, robots, etc.)
- Open Graph and Twitter Card tags
- JSON-LD structured data
- Heading hierarchy (h1–h6)
- Links and images
- Page URL and language
- Core Web Vitals (browser Performance API)
This data is used only to populate the audit UI and is not sent to SearchStack servers.
3. AI Insights (optional)
If you enter your own Anthropic Claude API key in the Insights tab, page metadata is sent directly from your browser to api.anthropic.com.
- Entirely opt-in
- API key stored only on your device
- SearchStack does not see, proxy, or log your key or AI requests
- Governed by Anthropic's privacy policy
You can remove your API key at any time from the AI Settings panel.
4. Local storage
The Extension uses chrome.storage.local:
| Key | Content |
|---|---|
| searchstack_settings | Extension settings (theme, sync preference) |
| searchstack_captures | Fan-out captures |
| searchstack_oauth_session | OAuth session tokens |
| searchstack_fanout_listening | Listening state |
| searchstack_sidepanel_view | Side panel view preference |
| argus_ai_settings | Optional Claude API key |
| argus_zoom_level | Side panel zoom level |
Data remains until you clear it or uninstall the Extension.
5. Third-party services
| Service | When | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| SearchStack | Sign-in & optional sync | Agency panel integration |
| Anthropic | User provides API key | AI Insights |
| OpenAI / ChatGPT | You visit ChatGPT | Fan-out source (no extra data sent to OpenAI by us) |
The Extension does not include analytics, advertising, or behavioral tracking SDKs.
6. Permissions
| Permission | Purpose |
|---|---|
| activeTab | SEO audit on the active tab |
| scripting | Fan-out hook and page data extraction |
| storage | Store settings and captures locally |
| tabs | Active tab info and open ChatGPT |
| sidePanel | SEO audit side panel UI |
| identity | OAuth sign-in flow |
| host_permissions | SEO audit on visited pages; optional Anthropic API access |
Content scripts are registered for all URLs; the fan-out hook runs only on ChatGPT pages. The SEO content script responds only when an audit is requested—it does not monitor browsing in the background.
7. Children's privacy
The Extension does not knowingly collect data from children under 13.
8. Changes to this policy
When this policy is updated, the "Last updated" date above will change. Material changes will be noted in extension release notes.
9. Contact
Questions about this policy: [email protected]
This page applies to the SearchStack Chrome extension. Data handled by the SearchStack web panel account is subject to separate terms of use.