Privacy Policy

The short version

Fargo INC! is a free, ad-supported magazine site published by Spotlight Media, LLC. You don't need an account to read it.

We use basic analytics and cookies to understand what Fargo-Moorhead is reading and to keep the site working well, and we run banner ads. We don't sell your personal information.

Information you give us

Most of the site asks nothing of you. You only share information when you choose to — for example, sending a story tip or message through our Contact or Submit-an-Idea forms, asking about advertising, or (in the future) subscribing to our email newsletter.

That can include your name, email address, business or organization, and whatever you write in the message.

Information collected automatically

Like most websites, we automatically receive some technical information when you visit: your browser and device type, the pages you view, the site that referred you, and a general (city-level) location derived from your IP address.

This is collected through cookies and analytics tools and is used in aggregate to understand readership — not to build a personal profile of you.

Cookies & analytics

Cookies are small files stored by your browser. We use them to remember your preferences (like dismissing the cookie notice), to measure which stories resonate, and to keep the site secure.

We use a privacy-respecting analytics service to count visits and understand traffic patterns in aggregate. You can clear or block cookies in your browser settings; the site will still work, though some preferences won't be remembered.

Advertising

Fargo INC! is supported by advertising — primarily banner and display placements. There is no paywall and no metered access.

Some advertising partners may use cookies to measure how ads perform and to limit how often you see the same ad. We do not share your name or email with advertisers; ad reporting is provided in aggregate.

Third-party services & embedded content

We rely on a few trusted services to run the site — for example Issuu for the digital edition, and embedded content from social platforms or video providers. When a page includes embedded content, that provider may receive information about your visit under its own privacy policy.

We encourage you to review the privacy practices of any third-party service you interact with.

How we use information

To publish and improve the site, understand what readers find valuable, respond to your messages, deliver our newsletter if you've subscribed, sell and serve advertising, and protect against fraud or abuse.

How we share information

We share information only with service providers who help us operate the site (such as hosting, analytics, and email delivery), when required by law, or to protect the rights and safety of Fargo INC!, our readers, and the public.

We do not sell your personal information.

Your choices

You can control cookies through your browser, opt out of the newsletter at any time using the unsubscribe link in every email, and ask us to access or delete the personal information you've given us by contacting us at the address below.

Children's privacy

Fargo INC! is a business publication intended for a general, adult audience. It is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their information.

Data security & retention

We take reasonable measures to protect the limited information we hold and keep it only as long as needed for the purposes described here. No method of transmission over the internet is perfectly secure, but we work to safeguard your information.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the site evolves. We'll revise the date at the top when we do; material changes will be noted on this page.