Website Disclaimer Guide: Limit Your Legal Liability Online

Website Disclaimer Guide: Limit Your Legal Liability Online

A website disclaimer is a statement that limits the legal responsibility you have for content on your site. Done correctly, a disclaimer can protect you from lawsuits that arise when a visitor relies on information you publish and suffers a loss as a result.

Why Website Disclaimers Matter

Without a disclaimer, courts may hold you responsible for damages if someone acted on information from your site and was harmed. This is especially relevant for:

• Financial advisors and investment websites
• Legal information and law blogs
• Medical and health sites
• Fitness and nutrition content
• Any site where visitors might act on advice given

Types of Website Disclaimers

General Liability Disclaimer Limits responsibility for the accuracy of information published on the site. Standard for most content-based websites.

"The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice..."

Professional Advice Disclaimer Critical for sites that touch on legal, medical, financial, or tax topics. Explicitly states that content is not a substitute for professional consultation.

"Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney..."

Error and Omission Disclaimer Acknowledges that information may be out of date or contain errors, and limits liability for decisions made based on that information.

Affiliate Disclaimer Required by the FTC if you earn commissions through affiliate links. Must be "clear and conspicuous" — typically placed near affiliate links or at the top of posts containing them.

"This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you..."

External Links Disclaimer Limits responsibility for content on third-party sites you link to.

Testimonials and Results Disclaimer Required if you publish user testimonials or "results" claims. The FTC requires that results shown represent typical outcomes or be clearly marked as exceptional.

No Guarantee Disclaimer Appropriate for tools, calculators, or any feature where results may vary based on individual circumstances.

What Makes a Disclaimer Legally Effective?

A disclaimer doesn't automatically protect you — courts look at whether it was:

1. 1Prominently displayed — buried in a footer in 8pt gray text is less effective than a notice at the top of relevant pages
2. 2Clearly written — vague or confusing disclaimers carry less weight
3. 3Specific to the risk — a general disclaimer may not cover specialized types of claims
4. 4Consistent with your conduct — a disclaimer saying "this is not financial advice" won't help if your site is actually providing personalized investment recommendations

Where to Put Your Disclaimers

• Footer: Good for general site-wide disclaimers
• Specific page headers: Essential for pages with professional advice content
• Near affiliate links: Required by FTC for affiliate disclosures
• Contact and form pages: For collection of sensitive information
• Standalone disclaimer page: Link from your main site navigation

Create Your Disclaimer Today

Use iRunDocs to create a professional, complete website disclaimer customized for your type of site — whether you run a blog, a business website, an affiliate site, or a professional services platform.