How does Summary Maps work?

Summary Maps uses AI to transform any book into a visual mind map in 4 simple steps: 1) Enter any book title into the search bar, 2) Our AI extracts key ideas, arguments, and frameworks, 3) Navigate the interactive mind map to explore chapters and connections, 4) Review anytime and take AI-powered quizzes to reinforce long-term memory. The entire process takes just minutes.

Why is visual learning effective?

Visual learning is highly effective because the brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text (3M Corporation research). Studies show visual learners retain 65% more information than text-only learners (Dual Coding Theory, Paivio 1991). Students using mind maps report 32% better retention compared to linear note-taking (Farrand et al., 2002). Spaced repetition combined with visual review can improve long-term retention by up to 200% (Cepeda et al., 2006).

Who uses Summary Maps?

Summary Maps is used by avid readers who want to remember what they read, students preparing for exams using active recall, professionals extracting frameworks from business books, lifelong learners building personal knowledge libraries, and book clubs seeking interactive collaborative engagement.

Summary Map — Turn Any Book Into a Visual Mind Map

1. Introduction

Welcome to Summary Maps. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our service.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

Account Information: Name, email address, and password when you create an account.
Usage Data: Information about how you use our service, including mind maps created, features used, and interaction patterns.
Payment Information: When you subscribe, payment processing is handled securely by Stripe. We do not store your credit card details.
Content: Books, notes, and mind maps you create within the application.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

Provide and maintain our service
Process your subscription and payments
Send you important updates about your account
Improve and personalize your experience
Generate AI-powered mind maps and explanations
Enable collaboration features like book clubs and shared mind maps

4. AI Processing

Summary Maps uses Claude AI to generate mind maps and explanations. When you request AI features, relevant content (such as book titles and mind map data) is sent to AI services for processing. This data is used solely to provide the requested features and is not used to train AI models.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal data, including encryption of data in transit (HTTPS), secure password hashing, and regular security reviews. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

Access and download your personal data
Correct inaccurate information
Delete your account and associated data
Export your mind maps and content
Opt out of marketing communications

7. Cookies

We use cookies, local storage and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences (like theme settings), understand how the site is used (Google Analytics and PostHog, including session recordings that help us fix problems), and measure our advertising (Meta Pixel). The Google AdSense script is also loaded on our pages. These services may set their own cookies. You can control cookies in your browser settings, and you can opt out of personalized advertising through your Meta and Google ad settings.

8. Children's Privacy

Summary Maps is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

10. Social Login (Google and Facebook)

If you sign in with Google or Facebook, we receive your name, email address, profile identifier and, if available, your profile picture from that provider. We use this information only to create your account and sign you in.

We do not post to your Facebook or Google account.
We do not access your friends list or any other data from your account.
For Facebook, we request only the email and public_profile permissions. For Google, we request only your email address and basic profile.
You can sign in with an email address and password instead.

11. Who We Share Data With

We do not sell your personal data. We use the following services to run Summary Maps:

Stripe: processes payments for subscriptions and credit packs. You enter your card details on Stripe's checkout page; we never store full card numbers.
Anthropic (Claude): receives book titles, mind map content and the questions you ask, to generate mind maps, explanations, quizzes, flashcards and chat answers.
Google (Gemini): receives book titles, authors and mind map topics, to add background context to AI features such as explanations.
OpenAI: receives the text of summaries and explanations, to turn it into audio for the Listen and Read Aloud features.
Resend: receives your name and email address, to send account and notification emails.
Google Analytics: collects site usage data, such as pages visited and device and browser information.
PostHog: collects product usage data, including recordings of how pages are used, to help us improve the app.
Meta Pixel: records page visits, checkout starts and purchases so we can measure our ads on Facebook and Instagram.
Google AdSense: the AdSense script is loaded on our pages, which lets Google collect standard browser and usage information.
Cloud hosting: our hosting provider stores and runs the app and its database.
Other users: when you choose to share mind maps publicly or collaborate in book clubs.
Legal requirements: when required by law or to protect our rights.

12. Deleting Your Data

You can delete your account and associated data at any time:

In the app: go to Settings, open the Account tab and choose Delete Account. This permanently deletes your account and your books, mind maps and other associated data.
By email: email contact@summarymaps.com from your account email with the subject "Delete my data", and we will delete your account and associated data within 30 days.
If you signed up with Facebook: you can remove Summary Maps from your Facebook account under Settings > Apps and Websites. You can also email us to delete the data we hold.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or our data practices, please contact us at contact@summarymaps.com

Privacy Policy