Not Amused

1. 59

   paradigmsearchposted 5 years ago

   I do believe this just showed up at the bottom of one of my articles:
   
   "This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional."
   
   In other words, it is basically saying I'm an unprofessional, unqualified quack and that this article is crap and should be ignored.
   
   If this was a medical article, I would understand; but it is not. The way the article is written is clearly information and opinions based on experience with the topic.
   
   This article has been on the front page of Google for years. If the article now disappears from the front page, it is outta here; sorry.
   
   What's next, putting "This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional." on articles like:
   
   How to Make a Chair
   How to Tune a Piano
   How to Maintain an Aquarium.
   How to Fly a Drone
   How to Plant Flowers
   
   and virtually all recipes posted by non full-time chefs?
   
   I mean seriously, the list is endless.
   
   Oh well, back to my nap.
   
   An Update
   
   Found another one:
   
   "This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters."
   
   This one is much better. Definitely recognizable for the legalese that it is and doesn't destroy the article's credibility.

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   1. 91

      Jean Bakulaposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      It's showing up on many of my astrology articles, one where I recommend a certain facial moisturizer, and other places. It's just a CYA thing for the administration I guess.

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2. 97

   theraggededgeposted 5 years ago

   I have it on most of mine. I don't mind. Better that than someone sue me.

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   1. 59

      paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Something Shakespeare said comes to mind...

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3. 92

   Kenna McHughposted 5 years ago

   That is why I started a thread on "What is considered an authority?"

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   1. 59

      paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      The obstacles just keep mounting up...

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4. 83

   psycheskinnerposted 5 years ago

   It is protecting Hubpages from being sued.  Given some of the things I have seen recommended on hubs, not without reason.

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   1. 59

      paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      For non-medical, the message appears to be selectively and manually placed there by a human. And they made it a banner screaming, bullhorn blasting announcement in the process. It definitely destroys the article's credibility. Why not just tack the message in the same area as the copyright notices at the bottom of the page? Then the reader will recognize it for the legalese that it is and everybody is happy.

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      1. 97

         theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Mine are at the bottom. Just before the questions.
         
         

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         1. 59

            paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            Yeah, I'm fine with that one.

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      2. 93

         jansharesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         I just checked and have them, too. It must be a fairly new roll out? I do think it is more to protect them (HP) than to devalue us. I tend to agree with paradigm that it does feel like "shade," especially for the articles I wrote where I actually am the qualified professional (relationship and parenting articles). But it is in small print and at the end so I'm not giving it another thought. Just one more thing, no biggie.

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         1. 59

            paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            If HP would replace the one I quoted in the op with the second one mentioned later, I would likewise say all is well.

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5. 92

   Natalie Frankposted 5 years ago

   I think when most people see disclaimers like these they interpret them as just something a company has to say to avoid lawsuits.  I know whenever I see one I don't suddenly wonder if the article is lacking in authority or accuracy.

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   1. 59

      paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I see we cross-posted.

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   2. 95

      EricFarmer8xposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I took at look my hubs. Most of them that have this notice seems to be logical. For example, one notice is on a hub I wrote about keeping yourself secure online.
      
      This seems fair as I wrote this hub based on my experience, but I am not a security experience with certificates. So I wouldn't want a business taking claim something bad happened because of something I told them to do.
      
      If people took my advice and their accounts got hacked anyway I don't want to be held responsible because of that. But like the notice says the article is accurate as far as I know. Which is how I feel myself.

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   3. 86

      TIMETRAVELER2posted 5 years agoin reply to this

      To be honest, I doubt many people even see these disclaimers and if they do, even read them.  We're lucky if they read our articles, let alone obtuse disclaimers!

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6. 92

   Kenna McHughposted 5 years ago

   Para, You saying less is more?

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7. 97

   eugbugposted 5 years ago

   I tend to agree, but fickle readers probable won't even reach the end of an article before their itchy trigger finger starts tapping or clicking again. I always thought disclaimers have no legal value and their function is just to scare off people?

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   1. 59

      paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I so hope you are right about those trigger fingers. We'll find out soon enough. Believe me, if/when that first article drops off Google's front page, the world is going to hear about it and it won't be pretty.

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8. 59

   paradigmsearchposted 5 years ago

   Found another one:
   
   "This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters."
   
   This one is much better. Definitely recognizable for the legalese that it is.
   
   That first one though truly does destroy the article. I figure it will be off Google's front page easily before the end of the month. And then I will be down to six.

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9. 92

   Kenna McHughposted 5 years ago

   It is to protect the group in general. Most readers will realize that it's part and parcel to online advice or how-to articles.

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10. 88

    lobobrandonposted 5 years ago

    HP gives you the option to remove the disclaimer. Edit the hub in question scroll to the end (edit mode) and you will see some of the many options you have.
    
    Yes, you have to do this individually for each hub (I think).

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    1. 59

       paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       lobobrandon! You are hereby and officially loved! Thank You!
       
       Done. I booted out:
       
       "This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional."
       
       And replaced it with:
       
       "This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters."
       
       Recognizable as just a template legality and should do the article no harm. And as others have said, I don't want to be sued either.
       
       lobobrandon, you really saved the day on this one. Thanks again.

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       1. 88

          lobobrandonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

          That one reads a lot better.

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11. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 5 years ago

    I just discovered that this option isn't available on all sites yet. New is right. Keep an eye on your high-traffic hubs. If/When HP sticks something in there, then you know the option has been added and you can do as lobobrandon said concerning deletions or changes as needed.

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    1. 93

       jansharesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       Cool!

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12. 86

    DzyMsLizzyposted 5 years ago

    They've been "rolling" these out for some time, now; I've had emails about it, and it's also in their blog post:
    https://blog.hubpages.com/2018/11/29/ro … sclaimers/

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13. 89

    Will Apseposted 5 years ago

    I don't like that minus sign before the disclaimer. What is wrong with a cheery plus?

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14. 95

    PaulGoodman67posted 5 years ago

    Disclaimers are good. Especially in the land of the litigious. A site like HP can never assert that everything that appears is absolutely true. Factual inaccuracies are much harder to spot than spam or dreadfully thin content.

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15. 92

    Kenna McHughposted 5 years ago

    The aesthetic quality of the notice needs some work, though. It is rather austere.

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