Privacy

Last updated: May 8, 2026

Shortlist (shortlist.guide) is operated by Scott Standard LLC. This page explains what data Shortlist collects, what it’s used for, and what is never shared. The shorter answer: Shortlist collects as little as possible to run the site, and never sells what it does collect.

What Shortlist collects

• Email address — collected only when you sign in or save providers. Used for authentication and cross-device sync. You can use the site fully without signing in.
• Provider requests — if you submit a provider for Shortlist to research, your request and email are stored so the team can reply when the listing is added.
• First-party analytics — aggregated page views, link clicks, and feature usage are recorded so Shortlist can see which tools parents actually use. These events do not include your email, do not link back to your account, and are not shared with third parties.

What Shortlist doesn’t do

• Your email address and any data tied to it are never sold, rented, or disclosed to third parties.
• No third-party ad networks. No tracking pixels from advertisers, brokers, or social platforms embedded in the site.
• No analytics products that monetize visitor data. No Facebook Pixel, no ad-platform retargeting, no data-broker integrations.
• No tracking cookies beyond what’s required to keep you signed in.

Provider data

Provider information shown on Shortlist comes from public sources — state licensing databases, accreditation directories, provider websites, public job postings, and IRS Form 990 filings for nonprofits — or from data the provider has submitted directly through the Shortlist provider dashboard. See the methodology page for source-by-source detail.

Cookies and local storage

Shortlist uses local storage to remember which providers you’ve saved, your last-viewed neighborhood, and similar preferences. Authentication uses a session cookie when you sign in. There are no advertising cookies and no cross-site trackers.

Data retention

If you sign in and later want your account and saved data removed, email [email protected]. Account data and saved-shortlist data are deleted on request. Aggregate analytics events that were never linked to your account are retained as long as they’re useful for product decisions.

Children

Shortlist is built for parents researching childcare; it is not directed at children. Shortlist does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Changes

If this policy changes, the “Last updated” date at the top of the page changes with it. Material changes will be flagged on the homepage.

Questions

If anything here is unclear, or if you want a copy of any data Shortlist holds about you, email [email protected].

See also: Terms & Disclaimer and Methodology.