Disclaimer examples show how a business or creator can define responsibility, warn an audience, disclose a relationship, or explain a content limitation. The samples below are starting points, not guarantees against liability, so adapt them to your activities, audience, and applicable law.
Key Takeaways
- A disclaimer explains a limitation, warning, disclosure, or allocation of responsibility.
- The right wording depends on the content, product, platform, audience, and specific risk.
- Short disclaimer sentences may work for videos or posts, while websites and contracts often need fuller clauses.
- Affiliate disclosures should be clear, conspicuous, and placed near the endorsement or recommendation.
- A disclaimer cannot override consumer protections, excuse unlawful conduct, or replace required warnings and contract terms.
- Product, professional, regulated, and state-specific disclaimers may require legal review.
Short Disclaimer Examples by Situation
Choose language that directly addresses the activity creating the risk. Avoid combining unrelated statements merely to make a notice sound more comprehensive. A focused disclaimer is easier for readers to understand and easier for you to place where they will see it.
General Website Disclaimer Example
Sample: "The information on this website is provided for general informational purposes only. We make no representation that the information is complete, accurate, or current, and you should not rely on it as the sole basis for making a decision."
No Responsibility Disclaimer Example
Sample: "You are responsible for how you use the information provided. To the extent permitted by law, [Business Name] is not responsible for losses resulting from your reliance on this content." This language should identify the covered content and should not claim exclusions that applicable law prohibits.
Views Expressed Disclaimer
Short sentence: "The views expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily represent the views of [Organization]." This disclaimer commonly fits guest articles, podcasts, presentations, videos, and employee commentary made in a personal capacity.
Video Disclaimer Example
Sample: "This video is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Results and experiences vary, and viewers should evaluate the information before acting on it." Add subject-specific language if the video demonstrates physical activities, discusses professional topics, or recommends products.
Email Confidentiality Disclaimer
Sample: "This message and its attachments are intended only for the named recipient and may contain confidential information. If you received it by mistake, notify the sender and delete it. Do not copy, distribute, or use the message." An email footer alone does not necessarily create confidentiality or privilege where it otherwise does not exist.
Professional, Product, and Affiliate Disclaimer Examples
Higher-risk subjects often need more than a short no-responsibility statement. Your disclaimer should accurately describe the content and direct the reader toward an appropriate professional, instruction manual, contract, or source of individualized guidance.
Product Disclaimer Example
Sample: "Use this product only as directed and for its intended purpose. Read all instructions and warnings before use. [Seller or Manufacturer] is not responsible for damage caused by unauthorized modifications, prohibited uses, or failure to follow the supplied instructions, to the extent permitted by law." Coordinate this language with packaging, safety warnings, and any product warranty disclaimer.
Medical Information Disclaimer
Sample: "This content provides general health information and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about your circumstances. Do not disregard professional medical advice because of information presented here." Do not use this wording to obscure services that actually involve diagnosis or treatment.
Legal Information Disclaimer
Sample: "This material provides general legal information, not legal advice for a specific matter. Reading or communicating about this material does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship." A provider should separately address how an attorney-client relationship may be formed.
Financial Information Disclaimer
Sample: "This content is general educational information and is not individualized financial, investment, tax, or accounting advice. Financial decisions involve risk, and you should obtain advice appropriate to your objectives and circumstances." Regulated services may require additional disclosures.
Affiliate Disclosure Example
Short sentence: "We may receive a commission if you purchase through links in this post." The Federal Trade Commission advises businesses to make material-connection disclosures clear and conspicuous. Place the disclosure with the endorsement, not where readers are unlikely to notice it. Check current FTC guidance for endorsements, influencers, and reviews.
Testimonial and Results Disclaimer
Sample: "Testimonials describe individual experiences and do not guarantee that you will achieve the same results. Outcomes depend on circumstances specific to each customer." A disclaimer does not make a misleading testimonial or unsupported performance claim acceptable.
Disclaimer Meaning and the Main Types of Statements
In simple words, a disclaimer is a statement that defines a limit, gives a warning, makes a disclosure, or rejects a particular representation. It can help set expectations, but its effect depends on its wording, placement, surrounding facts, and applicable law.
A warning identifies a hazard or consequence and tells the audience how to avoid it. A no-responsibility statement attempts to limit responsibility for identified losses or conduct. A views-expressed disclaimer separates a speaker's opinions from those of an employer, host, or organization. A contractual disclaimer addresses warranties, representations, remedies, or risk allocation within an agreement.
These statements are not interchangeable. A product safety warning does not perform the same function as a warranty exclusion. An affiliate disclosure tells readers about a financial relationship rather than excluding liability. A legal or medical disclaimer explains that general content does not provide individualized professional services, but it cannot change the true nature of the services being offered.
A disclaimer may also differ from a copyright notice. A copyright notice identifies a claimed owner and reserved rights, while a disclaimer may explain permitted use or reject responsibility for third-party content. Businesses publishing original material can review a more focused website intellectual property disclaimer template before combining intellectual property terms with a general website notice.
Which Disclaimer Sample Fits Your Situation?
This quick-reference table helps identify a useful starting point. More than one statement may apply, but every included clause should relate to an actual feature of your business or content.
| Disclaimer type | Common context | Main purpose | Typical placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| General information | Blogs, educational websites, newsletters | Explains that content is general and may not be complete or current | Disclaimer page and relevant content |
| No responsibility | Instructions, tools, external links | Defines responsibility for reliance or third-party activity | Near the activity and in site terms |
| Views expressed | Videos, podcasts, guest posts, presentations | Separates personal opinions from an organization | Opening, description, or contributor page |
| Professional information | Legal, medical, financial, or technical content | Distinguishes general information from individualized services | Before or beside the relevant content |
| Product and warranty | Packaging, instructions, sales pages | Addresses intended use, safety, performance, or warranties | Before purchase, on packaging, and in sale terms |
| Affiliate disclosure | Reviews, social posts, videos, referral links | Discloses a material connection | Close to the endorsement or link |
| Email confidentiality | Business and professional email | Identifies intended recipients and requested handling | Email body or signature block |
| Contractual disclaimer | Service, licensing, and sales agreements | Allocates defined risks between parties | Within the signed or accepted agreement |
Do not select a disclaimer based only on the medium. For example, one video may need an affiliate disclosure, safety warning, and results disclaimer. Another may need only a views-expressed sentence. Start with what the audience might misunderstand, what action they may take, and what relationship or risk you need to disclose.
How to Write a Disclaimer Statement
Begin by identifying the exact misunderstanding, claim, or responsibility you want to address. "We are not responsible for anything" is less useful than language tied to a defined website feature, product use, third-party link, or type of information.
- Name the covered material. Identify the website, document, service, product, video, email, or specific section to which the disclaimer applies.
- Describe the intended purpose and audience. State if the content is general information, entertainment, education, commentary, or material intended only for a named recipient.
- State the limitation precisely. Explain what you are not promising or what readers should not assume. Avoid exclusions broader than the law permits.
- Add the appropriate next step. Tell readers to follow product instructions, verify information, obtain professional advice, or contact the sender, as applicable.
- Address third parties and changes. If relevant, explain how you treat outside links, user contributions, changing information, or unauthorized product modifications.
- Review related documents. Make sure the statement agrees with your advertising, privacy policy, return policy, warranties, and terms and conditions.
A basic disclaimer template can follow this structure: "[Covered material] is provided for [purpose]. It is not [excluded service, promise, or representation]. [Audience] should [recommended action]. To the extent permitted by law, [Business Name] does not accept responsibility for [defined event or loss]." Replace every bracketed item and delete any sentence that does not apply.
Use plain language. A serious warning or legal disclosure should not depend on humor, vague wording, or dense legal terms. Funny disclaimer examples may attract attention, but humor can create ambiguity about the conduct, hazard, or relationship you are trying to explain.
What a Disclaimer Cannot Do
A disclaimer does not automatically prevent claims or guarantee that a court will enforce every limitation. Its effect can depend on applicable law, how clearly it was presented, whether the reader agreed to contractual terms, and whether the provision conflicts with consumer protections or public policy.
You cannot rely on disclaimer wording to correct a false or misleading advertisement. A product seller also should not treat a general "use at your own risk" sentence as a substitute for adequate instructions, legally required disclosures, or warnings about known hazards. Similarly, calling professional services "general information" may not control if the actual relationship and conduct show that individualized services were provided.
A standalone notice also differs from a negotiated contract clause. A website footer may communicate general limits, but a contract can define representations, warranties, indemnification, remedies, dispute procedures, and governing law between agreeing parties. If the statement belongs in a transaction, consider how it interacts with the rest of the legal agreement between two parties.
Hiring an attorney becomes a logical next step when your disclaimer concerns products, regulated professional information, significant liability exposure, a negotiated agreement, or state-specific requirements. An attorney can identify applicable rules, tailor the scope and wording, coordinate the disclaimer with other contract terms, and advise on placement. You can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace, where responses typically arrive within a day.
Review state-specific and industry-specific instructions before publishing. A generic disclaimer template may overlook mandatory language, limits on warranty exclusions, professional licensing rules, accessibility concerns, or requirements governing how and when a disclosure must appear.
Where to Place a Website, Video, Email, or Document Disclaimer
Placement should match the point at which a reader encounters the relevant information or makes a decision. A notice that is hidden, remote, or presented after the user acts may fail to communicate the limitation or disclosure effectively.
For a website, you can maintain a dedicated disclaimer page linked from the footer, then repeat important statements near high-risk content. A disclaimer template for a website might cover general information and external links on the main page, while medical, affiliate, testimonial, or product-specific notices appear directly with the relevant material.
For video, place a brief disclaimer in the video itself when timing matters. You can provide fuller language in the description. Do not assume that a disclosure placed only at the end will adequately inform viewers who act on an endorsement or instruction earlier. For live presentations, consider an opening slide and a written notice in distributed materials.
For email, place recipient and confidentiality language in the message or signature area. If a particular email requires action or contains unusually sensitive information, state the limitation prominently in the message rather than relying only on a standard company footer.
For a document, put a short disclaimer near the relevant statement, data table, recommendation, or signature area. A report may also have a separate assumptions and limitations section. In a contract, place disclaimer clauses with related warranties or representations and use clear headings. The parties' acceptance process matters because a contractual disclaimer is part of an agreement, not merely an informational notice.
Keep records of approved wording and where it appears. Recheck the notice when you change products, content categories, revenue arrangements, professional services, or business locations.
Building a Disclaimer Template for a Website
A website disclaimer should reflect what the site actually publishes and how it earns revenue. Start with a general-purpose clause, then add only the modules that apply. Common modules address professional information, user-generated content, third-party links, affiliate relationships, testimonials, intellectual property, and product sales.
Basic disclaimer template: "The content on [Website Name] is provided for [general informational or educational purpose]. Although we make reasonable efforts to maintain the content, we do not promise that it is complete, accurate, or current. The content is not [professional advice or other excluded service]. You should verify information and obtain appropriate advice before acting on it. To the extent permitted by law, [Business Name] is not responsible for losses caused by reliance on this content. Questions may be sent to [contact method]."
Do not retain every optional phrase simply because it appears in a disclaimer sample for a website. If you do not publish professional information, sell products, host user comments, or use affiliate links, provisions about those activities can confuse readers. Conversely, a general clause may be too narrow if your site offers software, subscriptions, marketplace listings, or individualized services.
Coordinate the disclaimer with operational practices. Your marketing team should know when to display affiliate and testimonial disclosures. Product teams should align online wording with labels and instructions. Employees who publish personal commentary should understand when a views-expressed sentence applies. Assign responsibility for reviewing notices after material business changes, rather than relying only on a fixed update schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Write a Disclaimer?
Write a disclaimer by naming the covered material, identifying its purpose, and stating the specific assumption or responsibility you want to limit. Then tell the audience what action to take, such as verifying information or seeking qualified advice. Remove broad language you cannot support and check that the statement matches your actual conduct.
How Do You Write a Product Disclaimer?
Write a product disclaimer around the product's intended use, instructions, known restrictions, and relevant warranty terms. Use separate, prominent warnings for safety hazards rather than burying them in general legal text. Review the complete sales process, including advertising, packaging, manuals, return terms, and any statements made by distributors or customer-service personnel.
How Do You Add a Disclaimer to a Document?
Add a disclaimer to a document where readers will encounter the information it qualifies. A report may use an introductory notice plus a detailed limitations section, while a form may place the disclaimer immediately above acknowledgment or signature language. Use consistent wording across electronic and printed versions, and preserve the disclaimer when pages are copied or exported.
How Should You Word a Legal Disclaimer?
Word a legal disclaimer so readers immediately understand that the material is general information and not advice about their specific facts. Identify the jurisdictional or timing limitations if they materially affect the content. Also explain how, if at all, someone can request legal services, because the information disclaimer should not conflict with the provider's engagement procedures.
What Is a Disclaimer in Simple Words?
A disclaimer is a notice explaining what someone is and is not promising, accepting responsibility for, or asking an audience to understand. It can also disclose a relationship, such as payment for an endorsement. The notice works best when it addresses a specific issue in direct language and appears before the audience relies on the qualified statement.
Can You Provide an Example of a Disclaimer Clause?
Yes. A concise clause is: "The materials are provided for general information and do not constitute individualized professional advice. You are responsible for verifying the information before relying on it." Treat this as sample language only. The appropriate clause may need additional definitions, exclusions, remedies, governing terms, or legally required disclosures based on the transaction.
