Last updated: September 9, 2026
Who we are
YELF is operated by Noah Andrew Lee (“YELF,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). Our website is https://getyelf.com. For privacy questions, email [email protected].
Our local-first approach
YELF is a Windows desktop productivity application for finding, evaluating, organizing, monitoring, and exporting information about potential YouTube creator leads. It does not currently use a YELF-operated cloud database, cloud backup, hosted synchronization service, telemetry system, advertising system, behavioral analytics SDK, automatic crash-reporting service, or automatic outbound diagnostic logging.
YELF stores application data on your computer in its Windows Local AppData YELF directory. This may include settings.json, leads.db, license.json, saved leads, comments, statuses, analysis snapshots and results, monitoring schedules and status, source queries, filter presets, themes and settings, remembered search and pagination information, and local licensing information used for offline Pro functionality. We do not currently provide backup, restore, or cross-device synchronization.
Credentials
Your YouTube API key, OpenAI API key, and applicable YELF licensing credentials are stored through Windows Credential Manager, rather than in the normal settings file or lead database. YELF does not operate a backend that receives or stores your YouTube or OpenAI API keys.
YouTube data and lead information
You provide your own YouTube Data API key. YELF sends requests to YouTube's API to conduct searches and retrieve channel and video information for your lead-research workflow. That information can include subscriber, view, and upload metrics; recent video performance; upload activity; recent-versus-prior view trends; ratios; language; publicly available contact or website information; and other information needed for lead analysis.
YELF may store retrieved information locally as part of your YELF data. You are responsible for your use of lead information and for complying with applicable laws, platform rules, and privacy obligations when you contact or otherwise use information about leads.
Optional AI features
AI is optional. You may use YELF with no AI, with Ollama, or, in Pro, with Custom Cloud AI using OpenAI.
Ollama
YELF's default Ollama endpoint is http://localhost:11434, with the default model currently qwen3:8b. With that default localhost configuration, evaluation prompts are sent to the Ollama service running on your device. You may instead configure another HTTP or HTTPS Ollama endpoint. If you deliberately configure a remote endpoint, the information included in your prompts is sent to that endpoint and is subject to the practices of its operator.
Custom Cloud AI
Custom Cloud AI is a Pro feature that uses your own OpenAI API credentials. Before a cloud-AI request, YELF requires you to accept a persisted disclosure that relevant channel information will be transmitted directly to OpenAI. YELF does not currently operate an intermediary AI backend. You remain responsible for OpenAI API charges and for reviewing OpenAI's applicable terms and privacy practices. YELF currently requests store:false for these Responses API requests; this describes YELF's request configuration and is not a guarantee about all handling or retention by OpenAI.
Pro licensing and device information
YELF uses Keygen over HTTPS to provide Pro licensing. During activation, refresh, deactivation, and machine-file checkout, YELF may send your license credential; an app-specific SHA-256-derived hashed device fingerprint; your Windows hostname or device name; Keygen product and policy identifiers; and information needed to complete those licensing actions. The raw hardware ID is not sent as the device fingerprint.
Keygen may independently receive or process technical information, such as IP addresses and API request logs, under its own privacy practices. A successfully activated device receives a cryptographically verified perpetual local machine/license file that enables valid Pro entitlement to operate offline.
Purchases and payments
Lemon Squeezy is the Merchant of Record for applicable YELF Pro purchases. We do not directly store or process full payment-card information. Lemon Squeezy may make purchase or customer information available to us when needed for licensing, support, refunds, transaction administration, fraud prevention, and related business operations. Lemon Squeezy's processing is governed by its own terms and privacy practices.
When information is shared or transmitted
YELF does not sell personal information or use it for targeted advertising. Information is transmitted only as needed for the features you use: to YouTube when you use YouTube API features; to an Ollama endpoint when you use Ollama; to OpenAI when you choose and consent to Custom Cloud AI; to Keygen for Pro licensing; and to Lemon Squeezy for purchases and related administration. We may also disclose information when reasonably necessary to comply with law, protect rights or safety, prevent fraud or abuse, or enforce our agreements.
Retention, deletion, and security
Most YELF application data remains on your device until you remove it or uninstall YELF. You can delete local data using Windows and YELF's available controls. Credentials stored in Windows Credential Manager may need to be removed separately through Windows. Purchase and licensing records may be retained for as long as reasonably necessary for support, licensing, refunds, fraud prevention, legal obligations, and dispute resolution.
We use reasonable measures designed to protect information we handle, but no method of storage or transmission is completely secure. Keep your Windows account, API keys, license credentials, and device secure.
Children's privacy
YELF is not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will address the request as required by applicable law.
Third-party services
Your use of YouTube, Ollama, OpenAI, Keygen, Lemon Squeezy, and any other third-party service is also subject to that service's terms and privacy practices. We are not responsible for third-party practices.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes to YELF, legal requirements, or our practices. We will post the updated version on this page and revise the Last updated date. Material changes may be communicated through the website, the application, or another reasonable method where appropriate.
Contact us
For privacy questions or requests, contact [email protected].