The 5 Legal Pages Your Blog Needs [Updated 2026]

Updated: December 4, 2025|By Andréane Laure

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A typewriter with "Terms and Conditions" written on the paper. The image illustrates the article's theme: The 5 legal pages every blog needs to stay compliant.

Running a blog in 2026 is amazing… until you remember that the internet has rules. Real rules. With real fines attached.

But don’t panic — I’ve been blogging for almost a decade, and once you understand the basics, staying compliant is way easier than it looks.

This guide gives you the essential legal pages your blog must have, why they matter, and how they protect both you and your readers. No fluff. No fearmongering. Just practical advice you can follow today.

Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer. Nothing here is legal advice. These tips come from my own blogging experience and from guidance I’ve received from my own attorney. Always consult a professional for your specific situation.

Table of Contents

Why Legal Compliance Matters for Bloggers

“I’m just a blogger… I write from my couch. Do I really need legal pages?”
Yes, my friend. Yes, you do.

Whether you blog as a hobby or a business, your website interacts with real people, collects real data, and makes real money — and all of that falls under laws that protect consumers.

Here’s what legal pages do for you:

They explain what data your site collects (email, cookies, analytics).
They protect you from liability when sharing advice, opinions, or product recommendations.
They help you get approved for affiliate programs and brand partnerships.
They build credibility and transparency with your audience.
And… they keep you out of trouble with agencies like the FTC, GDPR regulators, CASL, and more.

Legal pages are not optional anymore — they are the foundation of a trustworthy online business.

The 5 Legal Pages Your Blog Needs

"Compliance" written on a blue background.

1. Privacy Policy

If your site collects any type of data — even just through Google Analytics or a newsletter signup form — you are legally required to disclose it.

A Privacy Policy explains:

What data you collect (names, emails, IPs, cookies, purchases, etc.)
How you collect it (email forms, analytics, payment processors, etc.)
Why you collect it (email marketing, analyzing user behavior, store purchases, etc.)
Who you share it with (Stripe, PayPal, newsletter tools, ad networks, etc.)

This page is mandatory in almost every country. It’s also a requirement for things like:

Ad networks
Affiliate programs
Online stores
Analytics tools

If your blog makes money or collects data, you need this page from day one.

2. Terms & Conditions (a.k.a. Terms of Use)

Think of this page as the “house rules” for your website.

Your Terms & Conditions protect your rights as a business owner and set expectations for how visitors may interact with your content.

It typically covers:

Your intellectual property rights (your blog content, images, branding, etc.)
What users are allowed — and not allowed — to do on your site
Your right to terminate access to the site
Your right to update or change content at any time
Limitations around how your content can be used

This page is particularly important for bloggers who sell products, offer services, or create digital content.

3. Disclaimer

A Disclaimer protects you from legal liability — especially if you teach, advise, or make recommendations.

This page should clearly state that:

You can’t guarantee results (because everyone is different).
You are not responsible for how readers use your information.
You may share professional opinions, but you’re not providing professional, medical, legal, or financial advice.
You are not liable for third-party links or products you mention.

If your blog teaches people anything — blogging, finance, fitness, wellness, productivity, beauty, career, etc. — you absolutely need a disclaimer.

4. Affiliate Disclosure

If you make money through affiliate links, the FTC requires that you tell your readers — clearly, and before any affiliate links appear.

That means:

A dedicated Affiliate Disclosure page
And a short version at the top of every post that contains affiliate links

Your disclosure should explain:

That you use affiliate links
That you may earn a commission at no extra cost to the reader
That you only recommend things you genuinely believe in (if true)
Where they can find your full disclosure page

Most brands and networks will not approve you as an affiliate unless you have this page. Some will even manually check your site for it during the approval process.

5. Refund & Returns Policy

If you sell anything — digital products, courses, ebooks, templates, services, memberships — you need a clear Refund & Returns Policy.

This page should explain:

Whether you offer refunds
Under which conditions refunds (or exchanges) are accepted
How customers must request a refund
How long the refund window lasts
What happens to digital downloads

If you run an online store, your payment processor may also require this page.

A transparent refund policy protects your business AND prevents chargebacks or disputes.

Quick Tip: Don’t Copy Someone Else’s Legal Pages

Tempting? Yes.
Legal? No.

Copying another blogger’s legal pages is copyright infringement and unsafe — because those pages were written for their business, not yours.

Get documents written by a lawyer or use reputable, customizable legal templates.

Conclusion

If you want to run a blog that grows, makes money, and avoids legal headaches, these five pages are non-negotiable. They establish trust, meet legal requirements, protect your business, and help you stay compliant no matter where your readers live.

Once these pages are in place, you can focus on the fun part: creating content, serving your audience, and building your blog into a real business.

Other Blogging Tips

FAQ

Do I need an LLC to start a blog?

No — you don’t need an LLC to start a blog. Most bloggers begin as sole proprietors because it’s simple and free in most countries. However, forming an LLC can be a smart move once your blog starts earning consistent income. An LLC separates your personal assets from your business assets, offers liability protection, and can make you look more professional to brands and affiliate programs.
If you’re just getting started, focus on building content and traffic first. When your blog becomes a real business, then consider speaking with a lawyer or accountant to see whether forming an LLC makes sense for you.

How to make a legal blog?

A legal blog is one that clearly follows online business laws, consumer protection rules, and data privacy requirements. To make your blog legally compliant, make sure you have the essential pages in place: a Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, a Disclaimer, an Affiliate Disclosure (if you use affiliate links), and a Refund Policy for digital products.
You should also follow FTC guidelines for sponsored content and endorsements, use only copyright-safe images, disclose data collection through analytics or cookies, and ensure your email marketing follows anti-spam laws. With these basics in place, your blog is set up to operate legally and transparently.

What is the difference between a personal blog and a company blog?

A personal blog is centered around an individual’s voice, experiences, opinions, and expertise. It usually has a conversational tone, flexible topics, and the freedom to publish whatever the creator wants.
A company blog, on the other hand, represents a brand. Its content is more structured, strategic, and aligned with business goals such as SEO, product education, and customer trust. While personal blogs build connection through personality, company blogs build authority by offering helpful, niche-specific information that supports the business.