Disclaimer

Disclaimer: complete guide

Introduction

Every website, app, blog, video channel and online platform shares information with its users. Some of that information is general, some is opinion, some is promotional and some comes from third parties. Users may rely on it in ways the publisher never intended, such as making investment decisions from a finance blog, following exercise routines from a fitness video, or treating general legal information as advice for their own case. A disclaimer is a statement that tells users what the content is, what it is not, and the limits of the publisher's responsibility for how it is used.

A disclaimer works by setting expectations clearly. It can explain that content is for general information only, that it is not professional advice, that results may vary, that the publisher earns commissions from certain links, that external links lead to sites it does not control, or that views expressed belong to individual authors. A well-written disclaimer helps reduce the risk of claims from users who misunderstand the content, and it supports transparency obligations that apply to many online businesses.

In India, a disclaimer does not operate in isolation. It sits alongside the Indian Contract Act, 1872, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the rules made under it, and sector-specific rules. A disclaimer cannot exclude liability that the law does not allow to be excluded, such as liability for unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements or deficiency in service towards consumers. It also cannot cure content that is itself false or misleading. This is why a disclaimer must be drafted to suit the actual content and business, rather than copied from another site.

Our team drafts disclaimers that match your platform, the type of content you publish and the risks involved. We review what you publish and how you earn revenue, identify the statements your users need to see, and prepare clear, readable text that you can display on your website, app or channel. We also advise on where to place the disclaimer so that it is visible to users at the right moments.

Who Needs It

A disclaimer is useful for almost anyone who publishes content or offers services online, including:

• Bloggers and content creators who share opinions, reviews, tutorials or recommendations.
• Finance and investment websites that publish market commentary, stock views or personal finance content.
• Health, fitness and wellness platforms offering diet plans, exercise routines or general health information.
• Legal, tax and professional information sites that publish articles and explainers.
• Affiliate marketers and review sites that earn commissions from links to products or services.
• E-commerce stores that display product descriptions, images and third-party content.
• Educational and coaching platforms that publish courses, sample questions or study material.
• Apps and software providers that provide tools, calculators or automated outputs.
• Businesses with corporate websites that publish general information about their services.

Key Benefits

• Sets clear expectations. Users understand that the content is general information and not personalised advice.
• Reduces risk of claims. A clear disclaimer helps show that users were informed of the limits of the content, which can help in defending claims based on reliance.
• Supports transparency. Disclosures about affiliate links, sponsored content and endorsements help meet the expectations of consumer protection rules and advertising guidelines.
• Clarifies responsibility for external links. It explains that the publisher is not responsible for third-party websites or content linked from its pages.
• Protects against reliance on errors. It states that information may contain errors or become outdated, and that users should verify it before relying on it.
• Separates personal views from the business. It clarifies that opinions of individual authors or guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the organisation.
• Tailored to your field. Specialised content such as finance, health and law needs specific wording that general templates often miss.

Types of disclaimers in practice. A general information disclaimer states that content is for information only. A professional advice disclaimer states that content is not a substitute for advice from a qualified professional. An affiliate disclaimer discloses that the publisher may earn commissions from links. An endorsement disclaimer explains that reviews and testimonials reflect individual experiences and results vary. A views disclaimer separates the opinions of authors from the publisher. An external links disclaimer limits responsibility for linked sites. Most platforms need a combination of these, presented together on a disclaimer page and repeated briefly where relevant.

Disclaimer compared with terms of service. Terms of service are a contract between the platform and its users, covering account use, payments, intellectual property, restrictions and dispute resolution. A disclaimer is a notice about the nature and limits of the content. The two work together. Terms of service often include a section on disclaimers and limitations of liability, while a standalone disclaimer page makes these points easy for users to find.

Eligibility and Legal Requirements

• Must reflect the actual content. A disclaimer should accurately describe what the platform publishes and offers. A disclaimer that contradicts the platform's own claims may not protect it.
• Cannot override consumer protection law. Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements and deficiency in service cannot be excused by a disclaimer. Contract terms that are unfair to consumers can also be challenged.
• Endorsement disclosures. Guidelines issued under consumer protection law, including those on misleading advertisements and endorsements, expect material connections such as paid partnerships, free products or affiliate commissions to be disclosed clearly and prominently. The disclaimer should support, not replace, disclosures placed next to the relevant content.
• Sector-specific rules. Content on securities, investments, insurance, health and legal services can be subject to regulations from bodies such as the securities market regulator, the insurance regulator, medical councils and the Bar Council. For example, there are restrictions on investment advice and research by persons who are not registered for those activities, and advocates are restricted from advertising. A disclaimer cannot authorise an activity that requires registration.
• IT Act framework. Platforms acting as intermediaries under the Information Technology Act, 2000 have due diligence obligations under the rules made under it. A disclaimer about third-party content should be consistent with these obligations.
• Visibility. A disclaimer is more effective when it is easy to find, written in plain language and shown at relevant points, such as near affiliate links or before advice-like content.
• Language. Where your audience is mainly in a particular language, consider providing the disclaimer in that language as well.

Laws, regulator guidelines and platform rules change from time to time. We check the current position at the time of drafting.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Initial consultation. We discuss your platform, its audience, the type of content you publish and how you earn revenue.
2. Platform review. We look at your website, app or channel to understand the content, the claims you make and how users interact with it.
3. Risk mapping. We identify the areas where users might rely on your content, such as finance, health, legal or product recommendations.
4. Revenue and disclosure check. We note affiliate links, sponsored posts, advertisements, free products and other material connections that need disclosure.
5. Choosing the disclaimer types. We decide which disclaimers you need, such as general information, professional advice, affiliate, endorsement, views and external links.
6. Drafting. We prepare a clear disclaimer in plain language, tailored to your content and sector.
7. Short-form disclosures. Where useful, we prepare short versions to be placed near relevant content, such as at the start of an article or below a video.
8. Your review. We share the draft with an explanatory note and incorporate your comments.
9. Placement advice. We advise on where to place the disclaimer, such as a footer link, a dedicated page, at checkout, or within app screens.
10. Handover. We deliver the final text in a format ready to publish, with guidance on updating it when your content or business changes.

Documents Checklist

About your business:

• Name of the business or individual operating the platform
• Business type, such as proprietorship, LLP or company
• Registered address and contact email for user queries

About your platform:

• Website address or app name (shared privately with us for review)
• A description of the content you publish and your target audience
• Any existing disclaimer, terms of service or privacy policy

About revenue and partnerships:

• Details of affiliate programmes, sponsorships, advertisements or paid partnerships
• Whether you receive free products or services for review

About regulated content:

• Details of any professional registrations or licences you or your authors hold, such as investment adviser, research analyst or medical registration
• Any guidelines or codes of conduct you follow

How Long It Takes

• Consultation and review: usually one working day.
• Drafting: the first draft is generally ready within one to two working days after the review.
• Revisions: one working day per round in most cases.

Most disclaimers are finalised within three to five working days.

Pricing

Our professional fee for Disclaimer is ₹ 999.

This covers:

• A consultation to understand your platform and content
• Review of your website, app or channel
• Drafting of a disclaimer tailored to your content and revenue model
• Short-form disclosures for use near relevant content, where needed
• One round of revisions
• Guidance on placement and visibility

Terms of service, privacy policies, cookie policies and GDPR documents are separate services and can be quoted together if you need a full set.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Copying another site's disclaimer. A disclaimer written for a different business may not fit your content or your risks, and copying text can raise copyright issues.
• Relying on the disclaimer to excuse misleading content. A disclaimer cannot protect false claims or misleading advertisements.
• Hiding the disclaimer. A disclaimer that users cannot find is far less effective. Link it clearly and repeat key points where relevant.
• No affiliate or sponsorship disclosure. Failing to disclose material connections can breach endorsement guidelines and damage trust.
• Using a disclaimer to provide regulated services. Saying "this is not advice" does not allow you to carry on activities that need a licence or registration.
• Overly broad exclusions. Clauses that try to exclude all liability in every situation may not be enforceable, and can look unfair to consumers.
• Never updating it. When your content, revenue model or audience changes, the disclaimer should be reviewed.

What Happens After

• Publish the disclaimer on a dedicated page and link it from your website footer or app menu.
• Add short-form disclosures near affiliate links, sponsored posts and advice-like content.
• Align related documents. Make sure your terms of service and privacy policy are consistent with the disclaimer.
• Train your team or authors on disclosure practices for sponsored and affiliate content.
• Review periodically. Revisit the disclaimer when you add new content categories, products or partnerships, or when laws and guidelines change.
• Keep records of the versions you publish and the dates they were updated.

FAQs

What is a disclaimer?

A disclaimer is a statement that explains the nature and limits of the content or services you provide, such as that content is for general information only, is not professional advice, or includes affiliate links.

Is a disclaimer legally required?

There is no single law requiring every website to have a disclaimer. However, disclosures such as paid endorsements and affiliate relationships are expected under consumer protection guidelines, and a disclaimer is a practical way to set expectations and manage risk.

Does a disclaimer fully protect me from liability?

No. A disclaimer can reduce the risk of claims based on misunderstanding, but it cannot protect you against liability for misleading content, unfair trade practices, negligence in providing services, or breaches of law.

What should a finance or investment website include?

It should state that content is for information and education only, is not investment advice or a recommendation, that investments are subject to market risks, and that users should consult a registered professional. If you provide personalised advice, you may need a registration under the applicable regulations.

What should a health or fitness platform include?

It should state that content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and that users should consult a qualified medical practitioner before starting a diet or exercise programme, especially if they have a health condition.

Do I need an affiliate disclaimer?

If you earn commissions from links or receive free products for reviews, you should disclose this clearly. A disclaimer page helps, but a short disclosure near the relevant content is also expected.

Where should I display the disclaimer?

On a dedicated page linked from the footer or app menu, and as short disclosures near relevant content, such as at the start of articles, below videos, or near affiliate links.

Can I use one disclaimer for my website and my social media channels?

The main points can be the same, but each channel may need a short disclosure suited to its format, such as in video descriptions or post captions.

How is a disclaimer different from a privacy policy?

A disclaimer deals with the nature and limits of your content and services. A privacy policy explains how you collect, use and protect personal data. Most platforms need both.

Can a disclaimer be in a language other than English?

Yes. If your audience mainly uses another language, providing the disclaimer in that language can make it more effective.

How often should I update the disclaimer?

Review it whenever you change your content, start new partnerships or revenue streams, or when laws and guidelines change, and at least once a year.

Can you also draft my terms of service and privacy policy?

Yes. These are separate services, and we can prepare them together so the documents are consistent.

Can I write my disclaimer using an online generator?

Generators produce generic text that may not match your content, your revenue model or the Indian laws that apply to you. They also often include sweeping exclusions that may not be enforceable. A tailored disclaimer is more likely to address the risks your platform actually faces.

Related Documentation services

• Employment Agreement
• Founders Agreement
• Franchise Agreement
• GDPR