Grade.us
Grade.us is a review management platform that helps businesses collect, display and respond to customer reviews across Google, Facebook and other review sites.
What does Grade.us do?
What is Grade.us
Grade.us is a review management platform for agencies and SMBs that automates the collection, monitoring, and display of customer reviews across Google, Facebook, Trustpilot, and dozens of other directories. It provides email and SMS review invitation flows, embedded review widgets, and reputation reporting dashboards.
Cookies and data collected
Grade.us sets first party cookies on the embedded widget (gradeus_session for the current visit, gradeus_uid for twelve months to recognise returning visitors). It also stores reviewer name, email, phone, and the review text in its US based databases. Customer contact data sent through the platform (for invitations) is processed on US infrastructure.
Legal basis under the GDPR
Consent is required for the website cookies (Art. 5(3) ePrivacy). The review collection itself can rely on consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) or contract performance (Art. 6(1)(b)) depending on the relationship. Review invitations by email or SMS need explicit ePrivacy consent unless the soft opt in for similar services applies. Under the EU Omnibus Directive you must disclose how reviews are collected and verified.
International data transfers
Grade.us is operated from the United States by Traject. Personal data is transferred to the US under Standard Contractual Clauses and the EU, US Data Privacy Framework where applicable. Document this in your records of processing.
Review fairness obligations
The Omnibus Directive (2019/2161) requires businesses to disclose how reviews are collected, whether they verify reviewers, and to avoid suppressing negative reviews. Grade.us features that funnel positive reviewers to public sites and negative reviewers to private feedback channels can be problematic if not disclosed transparently.
Practical compliance steps
Sign a DPA with Grade.us, gate the widget cookies behind consent, disclose your review collection process on your website (Omnibus requirement), retain reviewer contact data only as long as needed, and ensure your invitation emails carry an opt out per ePrivacy.
Grade.us and the GDPR
Grade.us is classified as “Marketing”. On a site that targets European visitors, it must only load after the visitor consents, and it must be listed in your cookie policy.
- Legal basis
- Consent for tracking cookies (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a)); contract or consent for review collection from customers
- Risk level
- medium
- Applicable regulations
- GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, Omnibus Directive (consumer review rules)
Impact assessment (DPIA)
A DPIA is recommended when Grade.us is used to systematically profile reviewers or filter negative reviews, as this may raise Art. 35 GDPR concerns.
Sample text for your banner
We use Grade.us to invite reviews and display customer feedback. With your consent, Grade.us may set cookies to track interaction with our review pages.
What Grade.us sets and contacts
- Tracking method
- JavaScript widget for review collection and display, first party cookies for visitor tracking
- Server location
- United States
- Data transferred outside the EU
- Grade.us is a US company. EU data transfers rely on Standard Contractual Clauses and the EU, US Data Privacy Framework where applicable.
Cookies set (3)
| Name | Type | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| gradeus_session | first_party | Session | Session identifier for the review widget |
| gradeus_uid | first_party | 12 months | Pseudonymous identifier for returning visitors |
| gradeus_pref | first_party | 12 months | Stores reviewer language and channel preferences |
Third-party domains contacted (3)
grade.usapp.grade.uswidget.grade.us
Frequently asked questions about Grade.us
Can't find your question? Write to us, we answer fast.
What cookies does Grade.us set?
First party cookies gradeus_session (session), gradeus_uid (twelve months), and gradeus_pref (twelve months).
Is consent required for Grade.us?
Yes for the widget cookies. The review collection itself can rely on consent or contract. Marketing emails require ePrivacy consent.
What is the legal basis for Grade.us?
Consent for cookies and email invitations. Contract or consent for the review record. Omnibus disclosure obligation for review presentation.
Does Grade.us transfer data outside the EU?
Yes. Grade.us is US based. Use SCCs and the EU, US Data Privacy Framework where applicable.
Do I need a DPIA?
Generally no for standard review collection. Yes when combined with systematic profiling or negative review filtering at scale.
How do I implement Grade.us compliantly?
Sign a DPA, block widget cookies until consent, publish a clear review collection notice (Omnibus), retain reviewer data only as needed, and respect opt outs on invitations.
Are there alternatives?
Trustpilot Business (EU based), Avis Verifies (FR), eKomi (DE), Reevoo, and self hosted review widgets.
How do I update my cookie policy for Grade.us?
List the gradeus_ cookies, the grade.us domains, retention periods, and link to the Grade.us privacy policy.
Quicksprout
Quicksprout is a digital analytics solution that helps businesses measure and understand their online performance through comprehensive data collection and analysis. It provides visitor tracking, behavioral insights, and conversion metrics across websites and applications. Quicksprout supports custom event tracking, audience segmentation, and automated reporting. With intuitive dashboards and visualization tools, Quicksprout enables informed decisions that improve experience and drive results.
LoyaltyLoop
LoyaltyLoop is a foundational web service that powers critical website functions and digital experiences. It provides reliable infrastructure, seamless integration capabilities, and consistent performance across all devices and browsers. LoyaltyLoop supports modern development practices and scales with growing business needs. With a focus on stability and compatibility, LoyaltyLoop ensures your website delivers a smooth, uninterrupted experience to every visitor and search engine crawler.
MailerLite
MailerLite is a marketing platform that equips businesses with tools to amplify their digital presence and drive customer acquisition. It supports audience segmentation, campaign automation, and cross-channel engagement. MailerLite provides real-time analytics and reporting dashboards for performance measurement and strategy optimization. By combining data intelligence with marketing execution, MailerLite helps deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time.
Shanon
Shanon is a marketing platform that equips businesses with tools to amplify their digital presence and drive customer acquisition. It supports audience segmentation, campaign automation, and cross-channel engagement. Shanon provides real-time analytics and reporting dashboards for performance measurement and strategy optimization. By combining data intelligence with marketing execution, Shanon helps deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time.
Formcake
Formcake is a foundational web service that powers critical website functions and digital experiences. It provides reliable infrastructure, seamless integration capabilities, and consistent performance across all devices and browsers. Formcake supports modern development practices and scales with growing business needs. With a focus on stability and compatibility, Formcake ensures your website delivers a smooth, uninterrupted experience to every visitor and search engine crawler.
Knock
Knock is a digital marketing technology that helps businesses reach, engage, and convert their target audience online. It provides advanced targeting, campaign management, and performance analytics capabilities. Knock enables marketers to deliver personalized experiences across channels, optimize campaign ROI, and gain actionable insights into customer behavior. With automation features and data-driven optimization, Knock empowers marketing teams to achieve measurable growth.
Make your site compliant today.
Free up to 25,000 sessions a month. No credit card, no commitment.