> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://sitegpt.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Add a disclaimer and a consent checkbox

> Ask visitors to accept your terms before they chat, and show a disclaimer under the message box.

You can add three kinds of notice to your chatbot:

| Notice                    | Where visitors see it                                               | How to set it up                                            |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Consent checkbox**      | Above the message box. Visitors must check it before they can type. | [Require terms acceptance](#require-terms-acceptance)       |
| **Disclaimer line**       | Below the message box, all the time.                                | [Show a disclaimer line](#show-a-disclaimer-line)           |
| **Disclaimer in answers** | Inside the chatbot's answers.                                       | [Add a disclaimer to answers](#add-a-disclaimer-to-answers) |

## Before you start

* **Role:** Manager or higher. See [Team members](/docs/guides/account/team-members).
* **Plan:** any plan.
* Have your notice text and the links to your terms and privacy policy ready.

## Require terms acceptance

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Appearance">
    In your chatbot's sidebar, select **Appearance**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Turn on the checkbox">
    Turn on **Require Terms Acceptance**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write the checkbox text">
    In **Terms Text (Markdown)**, write the text that shows next to the checkbox. Use `[link text](https://example.com/terms)` to add links. If you leave it empty, visitors see "I agree to the Terms and Conditions".
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose whether to hide it after acceptance">
    Turn on **Hide Terms After Acceptance** if you want the checkbox to disappear after the visitor checks it. See [How acceptance works](#how-acceptance-works).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Select **Save Changes**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Example text for **Terms Text (Markdown)**:

```markdown theme={null}
By chatting, you agree to our [Terms of Service](https://example.com/terms) and [Privacy Policy](https://example.com/privacy).
```

### How acceptance works

* Until the visitor checks the box, the message box is turned off. If they try to send a message, they see "Please accept the terms to continue". You can change this text in [Language and text](/docs/guides/widget/language-and-text).
* The acceptance is not saved. When the visitor reloads the page or starts a new conversation, the checkbox shows again unchecked, and they must check it again. This also applies when **Hide Terms After Acceptance** is on. That setting only hides the checkbox for the current conversation.
* SiteGPT does not keep a record of who accepted the terms. If you need proof of consent, collect it in another way.

<Warning>
  The checkbox only blocks the message box. Conversation starters, follow-up suggestions, and messages sent with the [widget SDK](/docs/developers/widget-sdk) can start a conversation without the checkbox. If consent must come first, do not use conversation starters or follow-up suggestions on this chatbot.
</Warning>

## Show a disclaimer line

A disclaimer line shows below the message box at all times. Visitors do not need to check anything.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Appearance">
    In your chatbot's sidebar, select **Appearance**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write the disclaimer">
    In **Disclaimer Text (Markdown)**, write your notice. For example: "Answers are generated by AI and may contain mistakes. Do not share health or payment details."
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Select **Save Changes**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

You can use the disclaimer line with or without the consent checkbox.

## Add a disclaimer to answers

To add a notice inside answers, for example on certain topics, add a rule to your [instructions](/docs/guides/answers/write-instructions).

```text Example instruction theme={null}
When you answer a question about dosage, treatment, or symptoms, end your answer with:
"This is general information, not medical advice. Please talk to your doctor."
```

The chatbot follows this rule in most answers. It is not guaranteed in every answer. Use the disclaimer line for text that must always show.

## The "Responses are AI-generated" line

Chatbots in HIPAA workspaces always show "Responses are AI-generated" at the bottom of the chat. This is not a setting, and other chatbots do not show it. To show a similar notice on any chatbot, use the [disclaimer line](#show-a-disclaimer-line). For HIPAA details, see [HIPAA](/docs/account/hipaa).

## Check that it works

Open your website, or the chat button in the corner of your dashboard, and start a new conversation.

* With **Require Terms Acceptance** on, the checkbox shows above the message box, and you cannot type until you check it.
* With a disclaimer, the text shows below the message box.