9 Common Website Disclaimers to Protect Your Online Business [Examples]

Not only can disclaimers help to protect your online business from legal issues, but they can also inform the users about the limitations of the information provided on the website.

Admittedly, disclaimers are not the most interesting thing to write or read, but they exist for good reasons.

In this post, we will explore some of the most common types of website disclaimers that online businesses should include on their websites, with examples for each type. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of how to protect your business and inform your users through the use of disclaimers. So, let’s get started!

What is a disclaimer statement?

A disclaimer statement is a legal statement that is used to limit the liability of the person or organization that is issuing the statement. This statement often informs the reader that the information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and that the person or organization issuing the statement will not be held liable for any actions taken based on the information provided.

A disclaimer can be thought of as a “warning label” on a product. Just as a warning label on a bottle of cleaning chemicals informs the consumer of potential hazards and how to use the product safely, a website disclaimer informs users of potential risks and limitations associated with the website and its content.

The most common types of disclaimers for online business

In essence, a disclaimer sets clear boundaries and expectations for the use of the website and its content.

They are your friend to help protect your website(s) or business owners from liability in certain circumstances and also informs users of what they can expect from the website and how to use it safely and responsibly.

The most common types of disclaimers used for online business included:

1. Website Disclaimer: Used to limit the liability of the website owner or operator in certain circumstances.
2. Privacy Policy Disclaimer: Used to inform users about the website’s data collection and usage policies.
3. Copyright Disclaimer: Used to inform users that the website’s content is protected by copyright laws and cannot be used without permission.
4. Affiliate Disclaimer: It discloses that the website owner may earn a commission for purchases made through affiliate links.
5. Medical Disclaimer: It states that the information provided on the website should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
6. Warranty Disclaimer: Used to inform users that the website owner does not provide any warranties for the products or services offered on the website.
7. External Links Disclaimer: When third party links are included on your website, and social media posts, you may wish to state that you’re not responsible for content posted on sites you link to.
8. Testimonial Disclaimer: Used to show users that it is not guaranteed they will have the same results.
9. Email Disclaimer: To let recipients know that the sender is not responsible for any damages, costs, or losses that may result from the receipt of an email.

The following is a list of some of the most common website disclaimer examples:

1. Websites Disclaimer

A website disclaimer is a legal statement that is typically found on the footer of a website and is used to limit the liability of the website owner or operator in certain circumstances.

These can include, but are not limited to, limitations on the accuracy of information provided on the website, limitations on the liability of the website owner or operator for any damages that may arise from the use of the website, and information about the use of cookies or other tracking technologies on the website.

To use a website disclaimer, it should be prominently displayed on the website and should be easily accessible to users. It is also important to consult with a legal professional to ensure that the disclaimer accurately reflects the specific risks and liabilities associated with the website.

Website Disclaimer Example 1 (general):

The information provided on this Website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. You should consult an attorney in your state of residence before making any decision based on the information contained herein. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
This website may include links to other websites and resources, including those of third parties, and we do not control and are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any such websites or resources. We do not endorse the content of any linked websites, nor do we make any representations regarding them; you access them at your own risk. You agree that we do not have any liability whatsoever arising from your use of our Website or from your reliance upon any information contained therein or obtained from such use.

Website Disclaimer Example 2 (health and fitness):

The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information on this website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately. Reliance on any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.

Website Disclaimer Example 3 (personal finance):

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as professional financial advice. The content on this website should not be relied upon as the sole basis for financial decisions. We advise you to seek the advice of a professional financial advisor before making any financial decisions. We do our best to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Website Disclaimer Example 4 (legal advice):

Please note that legal information contained on our website, including legal templates and legal policies, is not legal advice. [Business name] is not a law firm. Nothing on this website is legal advice and no attorney-client relationship is formed by purchasing or viewing a contract template or purchasing any product on this site. If you have a specific problem and need legal advice, contact a licensed attorney in your state or the state bar.

2. Privacy Disclaimer

A Privacy Policy Disclaimer is a legal statement that outlines how a business collects, uses, and protects personal information of its customers and users. It is typically posted on the business’s website and is required by law for businesses that collect personal information online.

The disclaimer should clearly state what information is being collected, how it will be used, and who it will be shared with. It should also outline the business’s commitment to protecting personal information, including any security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access.

Businesses should also include information about their compliance with relevant laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union.

To use a Privacy Policy Disclaimer, businesses should create one that is clear, concise, and easily understandable for their customers and users. It should be prominently displayed on the website and easily accessible to users.

The good news is, you can use online tools such as Privacy Policy Template Generator to get this done in seconds.

3. Copyright Disclaimer

Any person or business that creates, owns, or publishes original material should consider using a copyright disclaimer to protect against plagiarism, theft, or any unauthorized use. The information in this disclaimer may also help protect your intellectual property rights to the content on your website.

Including “All rights reserved” is beneficial because it’s a common term that can act as a warning to would-be thieves and other unauthorized users that you are claiming maximum copyright protection for all of your material. (Source: PrivacyPolicies)

Copyright disclaimers are typically found at the bottom of websites, in the website footer.

Copyright © 2023 Acknowledgement World. All rights reserved.

Though they vary from business to business, many copyright disclaimers include the following components:

• The Copyright symbol (©), the word Copyright, or both
• The year the content was created, published, or updated, or the date range of protected content
• The name of the content’s creator, owner, or both
• A statement detailing the creator’s rights to the content (Reservation of Rights)

4. Affiliate Disclaimer

An affiliate disclaimer, or affiliate disclosure, is a statement online businesses need to put on their website to let users know that they participate in affiliate marketing programs. If your website contains affiliate links, e.g. Amazon Associates, then you must comply with the policy of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and include such an affiliate disclaimer.

It informs the users of the website that the business may earn a commission for any purchases made through affiliate links on the website. It is used to disclose any financial interest that the business may have in promoting the products or services of other companies.

Affiliate disclaimers are important to use as they help to build trust with users by being transparent about any financial incentives that may influence the content of the website.

It is recommended to use them prominently on the website, such as in the footer or in a dedicated page, as well as on any affiliate-linked pages or posts.

Affiliate Disclaimer Example 1:

Please note that some of the links on this website are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I/we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase.

Affiliate Disclaimer Example 2:

As an affiliate, I/we may earn a commission for any purchases made through links in this post.

Affiliate Disclaimer Example 3:

We may earn a small commission for purchases made through links in this article, at no extra cost to you.

5. Medical Disclaimer

Medical advice disclaimer is a legal document that helps to protect the patient who a doctor has treated. It is written in clear, simple language and uses a lot of bold print to ensure everyone understands what it says.

This type of document can inform patients about their rights and responsibilities and provide legal disclaimers that protect the doctor from any legal consequences that may arise from providing medical treatment.

Medical Disclaimer Example 1

The information provided on this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Medical Disclaimer Example 2

This website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult a doctor before making any medical decisions.

Medical Disclaimer Example 3

The information on this website is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.

6. Warranty Disclaimers

A warranty disclaimer is a statement indicating that the warranty applies only to the original purchaser of the product and that the seller has no liability for any claim arising out of the use of the product by someone other than such purchaser. The warranty disclaimer is usually placed outside the product packaging. Still, it may also be printed on a label inside the packaging. The purpose of a warranty disclaimer is to ensure that purchasers can purchase products with confidence that they will be able to return them if they are defective or damaged.

A warranty disclaimer does not imply an implied warranty, which exists when there is a contract between seller and buyer about selling or using a product. A seller cannot disclaim his implied warranty—that he will repair or replace any item he sells in good faith if it is defective when it arrives.

For example, suppose you buy a lawn mower from me. In that case, my implied warranty includes repair or replacement of your lawn mower without charge if it stops working correctly within two years after purchase, even though my written warranty does not cover this situation.

Warranty Disclaimer Example 1

"This product is covered by a warranty from the manufacturer, which is valid for one year from date of purchase."

Warranty Disclaimer Example 2

This product is not covered by a warranty. The manufacturer shall not be responsible for any defects or damage to the product if the product has been altered or improperly installed, used for commercial purposes, misused, or repaired by anyone other than an authorized agent of the manufacturer."

7. External Links Disclaimers

External links disclaimer, also known as third party link disclaimer, should be used when links are included on your blog, website and social media posts, you may wish to state that you’re not responsible for content posted on sites you link to. 

This disclaimer is essential when you have external links to other sites, and these sites may or may not be trustworthy or reputable.

External Link Disclaimer Example:

This page contains links to external websites. Please note that I may receive compensation when you make a purchase through one of these links. That said, I only recommend products that I truly believe in, and the recommendations are based on my opinion. If you do buy something after clicking one of these links, it's at your own risk.

8. Testimonial Disclaimer

A testimonial disclaimer is to inform the users that the testimonials displayed on the website are from real customers and their positive experiences, but it’s not guaranteed that you will have the same results.

This helps to manage the expectations of the users and also protects the website from any legal issues.

Testimonial Disclaimer Example:

The testimonials on this website are from actual customers who have used our products or services. However, their results may not be typical and individual results may vary. The testimonials are not intended to guarantee that you will achieve the same or similar results. The testimonials are not intended to be a representation or promise that you will achieve any particular results. Your results will depend on your individual circumstances, including your level of effort and ability.

9. Email Disclaimer

If you operate an online business, it’s unlikely that you are not going to use email marketing to engage with your followers. This is where the email disclaimer comes into play.

You may also like: Become an Email Marketing Expert Within 24 Hours with These Online Courses

An email disclaimer is a legal statement that is added to the bottom of an email message. It is used to provide additional information or to limit the liability of the sender or the organization.

Email disclaimers can include statements about confidentiality, the intended recipient of the message, and the legality of the contents of the email.

Email disclaimers can also include information about the organization’s compliance with relevant laws, such as the CAN-SPAM Act.

To use an email disclaimer, businesses should create one that is clear, concise, and easily understandable. It should be added to the bottom of every email message sent from the organization.

Businesses should ensure that the disclaimer is consistent with their company’s privacy policy and other legal obligations. Additionally, it is important to note that some countries or regions might have specific laws and regulations regarding email disclaimers, so it’s important to check and comply with them.

Here are some examples of how you can use your disclaimer:

Email Disclaimer example 1 (general):

This email and any attachments are intended for the sole use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable laws. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by return email and delete the original message."

Email Disclaimer example 2 (for health/mental industry):

The information contained in this email and any attachments is intended for the recipient(s) only and may be confidential and legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and delete this message and any attachments. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this email and its attachments is prohibited. The contents of this email do not constitute professional advice, and should not be relied upon as such. If you are in need of professional help, please seek the assistance of a qualified mental/health professional.

Email Disclaimer example 3, (for the pet industry):

The information contained in this email is intended for the recipient only. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this email is strictly prohibited. The contents of this email may also be subject to public disclosure under the applicable laws. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately and delete the original message. The statements in this email are not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Pet Health Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information or for any actions taken in reliance on this information.

FAQs on website disclaimers

What is a “Fair Use” disclaimer?

Anyone who intends to use the work of someone else without their direct permission may need to include a fair use disclaimer, which can prevent legal action from being taken against them. ‘Fair use‘ refers to the use, citation, or incorporation of another author’s work to an extent that doesn’t contribute to copyright infringement or plagiarism.

Do I have to put a disclaimer on social media posts?

If your social media posts contain content that exposes you to potential risks, having the appropriate disclaimers in place is the way to go. However, since you don’t have the space for the lengthy disclaimer, you may include a more condensed version and put a link to the full version of the disclaimer on your website.

How do I put a disclaimer on my YouTube channel?

A YouTube liability disclaimer should explain that your information is not professional advice and should be acted on at the user’s own risk. This is the disclaimer that appears on their YouTube channel‘s “About” page, which they also include in part in each one of their video descriptions.