See how WebMD, Wikipedia, OpenAI, Investopedia, and 14 other leading companies write their disclaimers. Each example includes the actual language they use and analysis of why it works -- so you can write an effective disclaimer for your own website.
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A disclaimer is a legal statement that limits your liability and sets expectations about the content, products, or services you provide. Unlike a privacy policy (which addresses data collection) or terms of service (which govern the user relationship), a disclaimer specifically addresses the reliability, accuracy, and intended use of your content.
Disclaimers serve two critical purposes. First, they protect your business from legal claims by users who act on your content and experience negative outcomes. Second, they set honest expectations with your audience about the nature and limitations of the information you provide. A medical website disclaiming that content is not a substitute for professional advice is both a legal shield and a responsible communication.
The best disclaimers are specific, clearly written, and prominently displayed. As you will see in the 18 examples below, companies like WebMD, Investopedia, and OpenAI use disclaimers not just as legal boilerplate but as trust-building tools that demonstrate transparency about the limits of their content.
If your website discusses health conditions, symptoms, treatments, nutrition, fitness, or wellness topics, you need a medical disclaimer. This applies to blogs, product pages, apps, and any content that could influence health decisions. Without one, you risk liability if someone follows your content instead of consulting a doctor.
Websites providing legal information, financial education, investment insights, or tax guidance need disclaimers stating the content is not professional advice. Even general financial literacy content can create implied advisory relationships without a clear disclaimer.
The FTC requires 'clear and conspicuous' disclosure of affiliate relationships and sponsored content. If you earn commissions from product recommendations, you need an affiliate disclaimer near the links -- not just on a separate disclosure page.
If your platform hosts user reviews, comments, forum posts, or third-party seller products, you need a disclaimer clarifying that you are not responsible for that content. This is essential for marketplaces, review sites, and community platforms.
If you use AI tools to create or assist with content -- whether blog posts, product descriptions, chatbot responses, or recommendations -- you should disclose this and warn that AI outputs may contain errors. This is rapidly becoming a standard practice and may soon be legally required in many jurisdictions.
If you publish thought leadership, case studies, white papers, or industry analysis, a disclaimer clarifies that published content is general in nature and does not constitute the bespoke professional advice that your paid services provide.
There are many types of disclaimers, each designed to address specific risks associated with different kinds of content and business activities. Here are the 14 most common types you should know about.
A catch-all disclaimer stating that website content is provided for informational purposes only. It limits liability for inaccuracies and sets expectations about content reliability. Every website should have one as a baseline.
Protects your original content from unauthorized use by asserting intellectual property rights. Essential for media companies, content creators, and any business that publishes original material.
Used when your content incorporates copyrighted material (quotes, images, clips) under fair use doctrine. Common in educational content, news commentary, reviews, and academic work.
An increasingly critical disclaimer for companies using AI to generate or assist with content creation. Warns users that AI outputs may contain inaccuracies and should not replace professional advice.
Required for any website publishing health-related content. Clearly states that information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Used by legal information providers, blogs covering legal topics, and law firms to clarify that content does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Essential for any content discussing investments, trading, or financial planning. Disclaims that content is not personalized financial advice and that past performance does not guarantee future results.
Required by the FTC when you earn commissions from product recommendations. Must be 'clear and conspicuous' and placed near affiliate links, not hidden on a separate page.
Accompanies customer success stories and case studies. States that individual results may vary and that featured outcomes are not guaranteed for all customers.
Separates the opinions of individual contributors, columnists, or guest authors from the official position of the publishing organization. Critical for media companies with contributor networks.
Used by marketplace platforms to disclaim responsibility for third-party products or services listed on their platform. Establishes the company as a platform, not a seller or service provider.
Disclaims implied warranties such as merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Standard in software licenses and terms of service for technology products.
Attached to emails and documents to assert that the communication is confidential and intended only for the addressee. Standard in financial services, law firms, and healthcare.
Separates personal social media activity from official company positions. Increasingly important for executives of publicly traded companies whose posts can move stock prices.
We analyzed the disclaimers of 18 industry-leading companies across technology, healthcare, finance, media, e-commerce, and more. For each example, we highlight what they do exceptionally well and why it works -- so you can apply the same principles to your own disclaimer.
Reference / Encyclopedia · Crowdsourced content accuracy disclaimer
"Wikipedia makes no guarantee of validity. Wikipedia is an online open-content collaborative encyclopedia; that is, a voluntary association of individuals and groups working to develop a common resource of human knowledge. Wikipedia is not uniformly peer reviewed; while readers may correct errors or engage in casual peer review, they have no legal duty to do so and thus all information read here is without any implied warranty of fitness for any purpose or use whatsoever."
Why it works:
Wikipedia's disclaimer addresses the unique challenge of user-generated content at massive scale. By clearly stating that content is not peer-reviewed and no contributor bears legal responsibility, they set appropriate expectations while still encouraging community participation. The disclaimer protects both the Wikimedia Foundation and individual editors.
News / Media · Comprehensive intellectual property protection
"All content on this website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, is the property of The New York Times Company or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. The compilation of all content on this site is the exclusive property of The New York Times Company."
Why it works:
The NYT's copyright disclaimer is exhaustive in listing protected content types -- from text and graphics to data compilations and software. By referencing both US and international copyright law, they establish global protection. The distinction between individual content pieces and the overall compilation as intellectual property provides layered copyright coverage.
Education / Research · Educational fair use with clear boundaries
"The information provided on this site is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Fair use is a legal doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders. The determination of fair use depends on the specific facts and circumstances of each case."
Why it works:
Stanford's fair use disclaimer elegantly balances educational authority with legal protection. By clarifying that their educational content about copyright law is not itself legal advice, they prevent readers from treating academic analysis as actionable legal guidance. The emphasis on case-by-case determination encourages users to seek professional counsel for their specific situations.
Artificial Intelligence · AI-generated content accuracy and reliability disclaimer
"Artificial intelligence and machine learning are rapidly evolving fields of study. We make our Services available on an 'as is' basis without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee that our Services will be accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free. Output may not always be accurate and should not be relied upon as a sole source of truth or factual information, or as a substitute for professional advice."
Why it works:
OpenAI's disclaimer is the emerging standard for AI companies. It directly addresses the core concern with generative AI: that outputs can be convincing but factually wrong. The 'as is' language combined with explicit warnings against using AI as a sole source of truth or substitute for professional advice creates a strong liability shield while honestly communicating the technology's limitations.
Health Information · Medical information vs. medical advice distinction
"The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health 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 WebMD. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest emergency department, or call 911 immediately."
Why it works:
WebMD's medical disclaimer is arguably the most imitated disclaimer on the internet, and for good reason. It draws a crystal-clear line between health information (educational) and medical advice (professional). The inclusion of emergency instructions transforms a legal disclaimer into a genuinely protective document. The directive language ('Always seek,' 'Never disregard') is both legally powerful and ethically responsible.
Legal Services · Legal information provider disclaiming legal advice
"LegalZoom provides access to independent attorneys and self-service tools. LegalZoom is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice except where authorized through its subsidiary law firm. Use of our products and services is governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Any information provided on this website is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in the appropriate jurisdiction."
Why it works:
LegalZoom faces a unique challenge: providing legal tools and information without crossing the line into practicing law. Their disclaimer carefully delineates between their platform services and actual legal advice, which can only come from their subsidiary law firm or independent attorneys. This protects them from unauthorized practice of law claims while still positioning their services as valuable.
Fitness / Health · Fitness content with health risk acknowledgment
"The Peloton Service offers health and fitness information and is designed for educational and entertainment purposes only. You should consult your physician or general practitioner before beginning a new fitness program. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment."
Why it works:
Peloton's fitness disclaimer goes beyond generic health warnings by specifically identifying high-risk conditions (high blood pressure, heart disease, chest pain during exercise). This specificity demonstrates genuine concern for user safety while providing stronger legal protection than a vague 'consult your doctor' warning. The mention of family history shows awareness of hereditary health risks.
Financial Education · Financial education without investment advice
"Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. The information contained on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute financial advice, investment advice, trading advice, or any other advice. The content is general in nature and does not take into account your specific financial situation, investment goals, or risk tolerance. You should not treat any opinion expressed on this website as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy."
Why it works:
Investopedia's disclaimer is a masterclass in financial content protection. It enumerates multiple types of advice being disclaimed (financial, investment, trading) and explicitly addresses the gap between general education and personalized financial guidance. The reference to individual risk tolerance and financial situations reinforces that their content cannot replace a licensed financial advisor who knows your circumstances.
Product Reviews / Affiliate · FTC-compliant affiliate disclosure
"Wirecutter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This does not influence our editorial independence. Our recommendations are based on thorough testing and research by our team of expert journalists and product testers. We do not accept free products from manufacturers in exchange for favorable reviews. Our business model is built on trust: we only recommend products we believe are the best in their category."
Why it works:
Wirecutter's affiliate disclaimer sets the gold standard for FTC compliance in affiliate marketing. Rather than burying the disclosure, they lead with it and immediately address the obvious concern: does earning commissions influence recommendations? By explaining their editorial independence policy and refusal of free products, they transform a required legal disclosure into a trust-building statement about editorial integrity.
Enterprise Software · Customer testimonial and results disclaimer
"Customer stories and testimonials featured on this website represent the individual experiences of our customers and are not intended to represent or guarantee that any other customer will achieve the same or similar results. Individual results may vary depending on the customer's specific use case, implementation, industry, data, and other factors. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. These stories are not endorsements of any particular product configuration or implementation strategy."
Why it works:
Salesforce's testimonial disclaimer protects against one of the most common marketing liability issues: customers assuming they will achieve identical results to a case study. By listing specific variables that affect outcomes (use case, implementation, industry, data), they educate readers about why results differ while maintaining the marketing value of their success stories.
Business Media · Contributor opinions vs. editorial position
"Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Forbes editorial content is created independently from contributor content. The views, opinions, and positions expressed by contributors, columnists, and commentators on this platform do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of Forbes Media LLC, its affiliates, or its employees. Forbes does not endorse, verify, or vouch for the accuracy of any content published by contributors."
Why it works:
Forbes pioneered the contributor model in digital media, and their 'views expressed' disclaimer is essential to that business model. By clearly separating editorial content from contributor opinions, Forbes protects itself from liability for potentially thousands of contributor articles while maintaining the credibility of its own editorial content. The distinction between Forbes-created and contributor-created content is legally and journalistically important.
E-commerce / Marketplace · Third-party seller product responsibility disclaimer
"Amazon acts as a marketplace connecting buyers with third-party sellers. Products sold by third-party sellers are not sold by Amazon. Amazon does not manufacture, warrant, or make any representations regarding third-party products. Product descriptions, claims, and information provided by third-party sellers are the responsibility of the respective seller. Amazon is not responsible for examining or warranting the offerings of any third-party seller."
Why it works:
Amazon's third-party seller disclaimer is critical to their marketplace business model. By clearly establishing that they are a platform, not a seller, for third-party products, they limit liability for product defects, misrepresentations, and safety issues. This disclaimer has been tested extensively in courts and has largely held up, protecting Amazon from direct product liability claims for items they do not sell themselves.
Technology / Software · Software warranty disclaimer with 'as is' language
"We provide the Services on an 'AS IS' basis 'WITH ALL FAULTS' and 'AS AVAILABLE.' Microsoft, and our affiliates, resellers, distributors, and vendors, make no warranties, express or implied, guarantees or conditions with respect to your use of the Services. We exclude any implied warranties, including for merchantability, satisfactory quality, fitness for a particular purpose, workmanlike effort, and non-infringement. We do not guarantee the Services will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free or that content loss won't occur. You bear the entire risk of using the Services."
Why it works:
Microsoft's warranty disclaimer uses the strongest possible legal language recognized in commercial law. The combination of 'AS IS', 'WITH ALL FAULTS', and 'AS AVAILABLE' creates a triple-layered disclaimer that has been upheld in courts worldwide. By explicitly excluding implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, they address the two most common warranty claims in software disputes.
Financial Services / Banking · Email confidentiality and privileged communication
"This communication, including any attachments, is confidential and may be privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or any action taken in reliance on it is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the original message. This message may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential, or otherwise legally exempt from disclosure."
Why it works:
Goldman Sachs' email confidentiality disclaimer is the template used by virtually every financial institution and law firm worldwide. It establishes attorney-client privilege protection, warns against unauthorized disclosure, and creates an obligation for misdirected recipients to delete the communication. While courts have debated the enforceability of email disclaimers, including one is considered standard practice and can support privilege claims.
Marketing / SaaS · Blog content educational purpose disclaimer
"The information in this blog is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. We strive to provide accurate, up-to-date content, but we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information contained on this blog. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk."
Why it works:
HubSpot's blog disclaimer addresses the reality that their marketing and business content, while extensively researched, should not be treated as professional consulting. The 'strictly at your own risk' language is particularly important for a company that publishes actionable business advice -- it shifts responsibility for business decisions from HubSpot to the reader while maintaining their position as a trusted educational resource.
Automotive / Social Media · Personal social media vs. company position
"The views expressed on personal social media accounts are the author's own and do not necessarily represent the official positions, strategies, or opinions of the company or its board of directors. Social media posts should not be considered as financial advice, forward-looking statements, or official company announcements unless explicitly stated. Information shared on social media may be incomplete, outdated, or taken out of context."
Why it works:
The Tesla/Musk social media disclaimer emerged from SEC enforcement actions over tweets that moved stock prices. It represents a critical evolution in disclaimer law: personal social media posts by executives can have material impact on publicly traded companies. This type of disclaimer attempts to separate personal expression from official corporate communication, though courts and regulators continue to test its boundaries.
Video Content / Entertainment · Entertainment content with stunt and safety warnings
"The content on this channel is intended for entertainment purposes only. Do not attempt to recreate or reenact any activities, stunts, challenges, or experiments shown in our videos. Some activities depicted may be dangerous and could result in serious injury or death. All stunts and challenges are performed by trained professionals in controlled environments with safety measures in place. We are not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage that may occur from attempting to replicate any content."
Why it works:
MrBeast's video disclaimer addresses the unique liability of entertainment content that features extreme challenges and stunts. With over 300 million subscribers, the potential for viewers (especially younger audiences) to imitate dangerous activities is a serious concern. The disclaimer's emphasis on trained professionals and controlled environments serves both as a legal shield and a genuine safety warning that could prevent real injuries.
Professional Services / Consulting · Professional services scope limitation
"This website contains general information only, and we are not, by means of this website, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that might affect your finances or business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. We expressly disclaim all implied warranties, including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and accuracy. We will not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages or any other damages whatsoever relating to or arising out of the use of this website."
Why it works:
Deloitte's professional advice disclaimer is a model for consulting firms, accounting practices, and advisory businesses. By emphasizing that their published content cannot address 'the circumstances of any particular individual or entity,' they create a clear boundary between general thought leadership and the bespoke professional advice that constitutes their paid services. The temporal disclaimer about information accuracy is especially important for regulatory and tax content that changes frequently.
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Based on the patterns we see in the best examples above, here are the six essential steps to writing a disclaimer that is both legally protective and transparent.
Before writing your disclaimer, audit every type of content on your website that could create liability. This includes blog posts with actionable advice, product pages with health or performance claims, user-generated content like reviews and comments, affiliate links, AI-generated content, and any information that someone might act on. Map each content type to its specific risk -- for example, health content risks someone delaying medical treatment, while financial content risks investment losses.
Based on your content audit, determine which disclaimer types you need. Most websites need at minimum a general website disclaimer. If you have specialized content, you will also need industry-specific disclaimers: medical disclaimers for health content, financial disclaimers for investment content, affiliate disclaimers for commission-earning links, and so on. As the Wirecutter and Investopedia examples show, specific disclaimers carry more legal weight than generic ones.
The most effective disclaimers use plain language that any reader can understand. Avoid excessive legal jargon -- while terms like 'as is' and 'no warranty' have specific legal meaning and should be included, the rest of your disclaimer should be conversational. Follow WebMD's approach: use imperative language ('Always seek,' 'Never disregard') and address the reader directly. Specificity matters -- listing specific risks (like Peloton's mention of heart disease and high blood pressure) is more protective than vague warnings.
Generic disclaimers provide generic protection. The strongest disclaimers address the exact concerns relevant to your industry. If you are in healthcare, address the information-vs-advice distinction like WebMD. If you run a marketplace, clarify third-party responsibility like Amazon. If you use AI, warn about potential inaccuracies like OpenAI. If you publish contributor content, separate opinions from editorial position like Forbes. Your industry's unique risks deserve unique disclaimer language.
Where you place your disclaimer matters as much as what it says. Courts and regulators look at whether disclosures are 'clear and conspicuous.' Place your general disclaimer in the footer and on a dedicated page. Put content-specific disclaimers on the relevant pages: medical disclaimers on health articles, affiliate disclosures near product links, and AI disclaimers where AI-generated content appears. Goldman Sachs puts their confidentiality disclaimer in every email -- that level of consistency strengthens enforceability.
Disclaimers are not set-and-forget documents. Review yours whenever you add new content types, enter new markets, adopt new technologies (like AI content generation), or when laws change. Include a 'last updated' date for transparency. As the Tesla/Musk social media example shows, the intersection of personal expression and corporate liability is constantly evolving. Your disclaimer should evolve with your business and the legal landscape.
Yes, in most cases. If your website provides any information that could be acted upon -- health tips, financial guidance, legal information, product reviews, or even blog posts with actionable advice -- you need a disclaimer. A disclaimer protects you from liability if someone takes action based on your content and experiences negative consequences. Even a simple blog with general advice should include a disclaimer stating that the content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.
Your disclaimer should be easily accessible from every page. Common placements include: the website footer (linked alongside your privacy policy and terms of service), a dedicated disclaimer page, at the beginning or end of blog posts, in email footers, on product pages (especially for health, fitness, or financial products), and in video descriptions. For affiliate disclaimers, the FTC requires the disclosure to be 'clear and conspicuous' -- meaning near the affiliate links themselves, not buried in a separate page.
Disclaimers can be legally enforceable, but their strength varies by jurisdiction, how they are presented, and the specific claims being disclaimed. Courts generally uphold disclaimers that are: clearly written and easy to understand, conspicuously displayed (not hidden in fine print), reasonable in scope (you cannot disclaim liability for gross negligence or intentional harm), and agreed to by the user (clickwrap agreements are stronger than browsewrap). However, disclaimers cannot override consumer protection laws or statutory rights in most jurisdictions.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that affiliate relationships be disclosed 'clearly and conspicuously' whenever you recommend products and earn commissions. Key requirements include: the disclosure must be near the affiliate link (not just on a separate page), it must be understandable to the average reader, it must be visible without scrolling or clicking, it applies to all platforms including social media, blogs, videos, and podcasts, and it must disclose the material connection (e.g., 'we earn a commission' or 'this is a paid partnership'). Failure to comply can result in FTC enforcement actions and fines.
A disclaimer limits your liability for specific content or information on your website. It typically addresses the accuracy and reliability of your content and disclaims responsibility for user actions based on that content. Terms of service (or terms and conditions) is a broader legal agreement that governs the entire relationship between your website and its users -- covering acceptable use policies, intellectual property rights, account termination, dispute resolution, and more. Most websites need both: a disclaimer for content liability and terms of service for the overall user relationship.
No. While disclaimers provide important legal protection, they have limits. You cannot disclaim liability for: gross negligence or willful misconduct, fraud or intentional misrepresentation, personal injury caused by your negligence (in most jurisdictions), violations of consumer protection statutes, product liability claims in many states, or warranties that cannot be disclaimed under applicable law (such as the implied warranty of merchantability under the UCC in some states). A disclaimer is a risk reduction tool, not an absolute liability shield.
You should review and update your disclaimer whenever you: add new types of content (e.g., starting a podcast or YouTube channel), begin affiliate or sponsored content relationships, expand into new industries or topics (especially regulated ones like health or finance), change your business model or service offerings, become aware of new legal requirements or court decisions affecting disclaimers, or at minimum once per year during your regular legal document review. Always include a 'last updated' date on your disclaimer page.
It depends on your content diversity. If your website covers multiple regulated topics -- for example, both health information and financial advice -- you should have specific disclaimers for each content type rather than relying solely on a general disclaimer. Industry-specific disclaimers (medical, legal, financial, fitness) carry more legal weight than generic ones because they address the specific risks associated with that content. You can include all disclaimers on one page organized by section, or place relevant disclaimers directly on the applicable content pages.
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