How to add a Privacy Policy to WordPress

By Paul Cranmer, Founder · Last verified August 2026 · WordPress · classic and block themes

WordPress expects a Privacy Policy page, and ad platforms often ask for a privacy policy URL next. The Settings → Privacy screen helps you create or assign that page, but the starter text is only a draft. This page shows how to set the official WordPress privacy page, publish a real policy (or a hosted URL), add it to your footer, and reuse the same HTTPS link in Meta or Google forms.

Who this is for

Small business owners running a WordPress site who need a public privacy policy page
People stuck on create privacy policy page WordPress or footer privacy link steps
Marketers who will paste the same privacy policy URL into ads or lead forms

Not for

App Store or Chrome extension listings (those use the free Mobile App / Extension path)
A full WooCommerce legal pack or cookie banner install guide
Custom attorney drafting for every jurisdiction

What the platform requires

WordPress Settings → Privacy lets admins create a new Privacy Policy page or assign an existing page.
WordPress notes that starter prompts are a helper only. You must fill in accurate details and keep them current.
The assigned Privacy Policy page appears on login and registration screens. You still need a footer or menu link on the public site.
Ad and lead form platforms usually need a dedicated HTTPS privacy policy URL, not your homepage.

Get a live URL first

Website and business paths use our $9.99/yr hosted Privacy Policy URL. Generate a live HTTPS page, paste that URL into a WordPress Page or Custom HTML block if you prefer not to maintain policy text inside WP, then assign or link it from Settings → Privacy and your footer. App Store Mobile App stays on the free path.

Get website privacy URL

Step-by-step: WordPress Privacy Policy page

Open Settings → Privacy. In wp-admin, go to Settings → Privacy. This is where WordPress stores which page is the official Privacy Policy page for your site.
Create or assign the Privacy Policy page. Click Create New Page for a starter draft, or choose an existing page and click Use This Page. If you create new, publish after you replace placeholders with your real business details.
Write real policy content (or link a hosted URL). Replace template prompts with what you actually collect (forms, analytics, ads). Or create a short WordPress page that links prominently to a hosted privacy policy URL you control, so updates stay in one place.
Add the link to your footer or menu. Classic themes: Appearance → Menus, add the Privacy Policy page to the footer menu. Block themes: Appearance → Editor → footer template part, add a Navigation or link block to the same page. Publish or Save.
Verify publicly and reuse the URL. Open the page in a private browser window while logged out. Confirm no login wall. Copy the full https:// URL for your site footer, contact forms, and any Meta or Google lead form that asks for a privacy policy URL.

Field labels to look for

Settings → Privacy: Assigns the official Privacy Policy page. Login and registration screens link here automatically.
Privacy Policy page: Must be published and public. Starter text is not finished legal copy.
Footer / menu link: Visitors expect a Privacy link in the footer. Themes do not always add it for you.

Common reasons the form fails

Leaving WordPress starter placeholders in the published policy
Assigning a draft or private page as the Privacy Policy page
No footer or menu link, so visitors cannot find the policy
Pasting the homepage URL into ad privacy policy fields
Omitting contact forms, analytics, or pixels you actually use

WordPress site vs free app path

This how-to is for WordPress site owners on the paid Website path. If you only need an App Store Privacy Policy URL, use the free Mobile App how-to instead. Cookie banners are a separate how-to.

Get website privacy URL See the step-by-step how-to

FAQ

Where is the Privacy Policy setting in WordPress?

Go to Settings → Privacy in wp-admin. Create a new page or assign an existing published page as your Privacy Policy page.

Is the built-in WordPress policy template enough?

No. It is a starting outline. Replace prompts with your real practices and keep the page updated when tools change.

Can I link to a hosted privacy policy URL instead of pasting the full text?

Yes. Many owners keep a short WordPress page that points to one stable hosted HTTPS URL so ads, forms, and the site footer all stay in sync.

Does assigning the page in Settings → Privacy add a footer link?

Not always. Login and registration pages get a link. You still need to add the page to your public footer or menu for visitors.

What URL do I paste into Facebook or Google lead forms?

Use the full https:// URL of the published privacy policy page (or your hosted policy URL), not your homepage.

Is this free like the App Store path?

Website and ads paths use the $9.99/yr hosted plan. Mobile App and some store listing URLs stay on the free path.

Do I still need a cookie banner?

Often yes if you run analytics or ads. That is separate from the privacy policy page. See the cookie banner how-tos if you need Consent Mode style tooling.

What about WooCommerce stores?

Still publish a clear privacy policy URL and link it sitewide. Store checkout and shipping policies are additional pages when your shop needs them.