Privacy Policy
Last updated: 11 October 2026
BearingXRef (“we”, “us”) operates bearingcrossref.com, a free bearing cross-reference database. This policy explains what happens to information when you visit.
The short version: you can browse this entire site without giving us anything. We have no accounts, no newsletter, and no shopping basket. We do not sell data to anyone.
What We Collect
Server logs
Like every website, our host records a log entry for each request. It contains your IP address, browser and operating system, the page requested, the referring page, and a timestamp. These logs are generated automatically by the web server, are used to keep the site running and to investigate abuse or technical faults, and are not linked to any identity.
Information you send us
If you email us, we hold that message and your email address for as long as needed to deal with it. We use it only to reply. We do not add you to any mailing list.
Cookies
Cookies are small files a site stores in your browser.
WordPress uses functional cookies for signed-in administrators. This site also includes Google AdSense code. Google and other advertising vendors may use cookies, web beacons, IP addresses and device identifiers to provide, measure and protect advertising services, including when no visible ad appears.
You can block or delete cookies through your browser settings at any time. Nothing on this site requires cookies to work.
Advertising and Affiliate Links
This site contains Amazon affiliate links and Google AdSense code. AdSense code being present does not mean the site has been approved or that ads are currently shown. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Third-party vendors, including Google, may use cookies to serve ads based on visits to this site and other websites. Google’s advertising cookies allow it and its partners to select and measure ads using that activity. See how Google uses information from partner sites and Google’s Privacy Policy.
You can manage personalized advertising through Google My Ad Center and opt out of some other vendors through the Digital Advertising Alliance’s choice tool. Browser cookie controls also remain available. Opting out of personalized advertising does not necessarily stop all cookies used for measurement or security.
Following an Amazon affiliate link takes you to Amazon, where Amazon’s privacy practices apply. Affiliate commissions do not change the dimensional reference data shown here.
Analytics
We do not currently run Google Analytics or any comparable analytics service on this site. If we add one, this policy will say so, and will explain how to opt out.
Content From Other Sites
Pages may occasionally link out to manufacturer catalogues or suppliers. Following an external link takes you to a site with its own privacy practices, over which we have no control. We suggest reading the policy of any site you are sent to.
How Long We Keep Things
Server logs are retained by our hosting provider on their standard schedule, typically a matter of weeks. Emails are kept while the enquiry is open and for a reasonable period afterwards. We hold no customer database, because we have no customers.
Your Rights
Depending on where you live — including under the UK GDPR, the EU GDPR, and the CCPA in California — you may have the right to ask what personal data we hold about you, request a copy, ask us to correct or erase it, or object to how it is processed.
In practice we hold almost nothing: unless you have emailed us, we are very unlikely to hold anything identifying you at all. To make a request, email info@bearingcrossref.com and we will respond within one month. We have never sold personal information and have no plans to.
Children
This site is a technical reference aimed at adults working with machinery. It is not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 16.
Security
The site is served over HTTPS, so traffic between your browser and our server is encrypted. No method of transmission is perfectly secure, but we hold so little data that there is very little to lose.
Changes
If this policy changes, the date at the top changes with it. Material changes — particularly adding advertising or analytics — will be made here before the change goes live on the site.
Contact
Questions about this policy: info@bearingcrossref.com. See also our contact page and about page.
Affiliate Disclosure
bearingcrossref.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means that when you click on certain links on our website and make a purchase on Amazon.com, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
We only recommend products that we believe will be genuinely useful to our readers. Our editorial content is not influenced by these commissions — we prioritize honest, accurate information above all else.
Product prices and availability shown on Amazon may vary. Please check the current price on Amazon before making a purchase.
Third-Party Affiliate Programs
In addition to Amazon Associates, we may participate in other affiliate programs from time to time. Whenever we recommend products through affiliate links, we clearly disclose this relationship on the relevant page.
If you have any questions about our affiliate relationships or how they may affect our content, please contact us via our Contact page.