What students agree to when signing up

When a student signs up for your school—whether they’re paying, joining a free course, or becoming a member—they agree to some important terms:

1. Teachable's Terms of Use - Basic rules for using the platform.

2. Teachable's Privacy Policy - How Teachable protects their data.

3. Your school’s Terms of Use - Your rules for accessing your content.

4. Your school’s Privacy Policy - How you handle student information.

These agreements set clear expectations for people when they sign up and the aim is to protect you and Teachable from certain issues or disputes that might come up.

The policies and templates are the same regardless of which Teachable plan you're on.

Teachable's platform policies

Teachable (as the course platform) sets its own Terms of Use and Privacy Policy that apply to everyone using the platform. These are non-negotiable and apply to both you as the course creator and your students.

Included in Teachable's Terms of Use

These are the kind of things included in Teachable's Terms of Use policy, but it's not a full list so you should check it out in full before launching your school.

• Platform services - Essentially defines Teachable and explains that the platform offers tools for creating, selling, and managing courses.

• User accounts - States that users must provide accurate information and are responsible for account activity. Also covers who can create an account.

• Code of conduct - Prohibits illegal activities, fraud, spamming, and exploitation of user data among other banned practices.

• Intellectual property - Explains that Teachable owns platform content like the software itself and its design elements; users own the content they upload.

• Payments and fees - Covers payment processing, fees, and chargebacks.

• Termination and deletion - Explains that accounts can be deleted for violations.

Make sure to read Teachable's terms of use policy before launching your school because this isn't an exhaustive list and it applies to you and your students.

Included in Teachable's Privacy Policy

Teachable’s Privacy Policy outlines how they handle personal data collected from users. It covers what data is collected, how it’s used, and who it’s shared with.

• Data collection - Explains that Teachable collects personal data (of creators and students), including registration info and usage data.

• Data use - Explains that data is used to operate the platform, personalise services, and for marketing and security.

• Data sharing - Covers when data may be shared with third parties, and info on the data shared with creators about students so they can deliver content.

• User rights - Explains rights users have to access, correct, and delete their data.

Again, this isn't legal advice or an exhaustive summary, so check out the policy for yourself to make sure you're comfortable with it.

Your school's policies

While Teachable provides default templates for your school's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, it’s up to you to review and customise them. These policies should reflect how you run your courses and handle student data.

Included in your school’s default terms of use

These are some of the key points covered in your school's default Terms of Use, but remember to review and adjust them as needed:

• Acceptance of terms - Students must agree to the terms to access your content.

• Use license - Allows students to use downloadable materials for personal, non-commercial purposes.

• Disclaimer - States that content is provided "as is" and limits liability for damages.

• Modifications and governing law - Explains you (the school owner) can update terms at any time, and disputes are governed by your local laws.

Included in your school’s default privacy policy

Your school's Privacy Policy outlines how you handle student information. Here’s a brief overview of what’s included, but you’ll want to tailor it to your specific needs:

• Data collection - Explains that you collect personal information when students enroll or engage in school activities.

• Data usage - Covers how you use this information to improve customer service, personalise experiences, and send updates.

• Data sharing - States that you don’t sell or rent student information but may link to third-party websites with their own policies.

• Policy updates - Explains that you can update this policy at any time, and that continued use implies acceptance.

How to edit your school's policies

Remember that the default policies on your school are only templates. You'll need to check they fit your needs and then update them if necessary.

1. Open your Teachable dashboard.

2. Go to Site in the sidebar.

3. Click Pages in the sidebar.

4. Click Edit next to the policy page you'd like to update.

5. Click on the Text block in the sidebar.

6. Edit the policy content in the sidebar.

7. Click Update in the top right.

Provided you don't change the URL of this page, it's automatically linked at the checkout. When someone joins your school, they're agreeing with the terms on these pages.