External Link re-directs?

Is it important?

[mrmean]

Should I create a re-direct page from external links on my site displaying a small disclaimer about responsibilty?

For example, user clicks on external link and they get a page saying something to the effect of "you are now leaving #*$!.com and we are not responsible for the content on the requested site". They are then redirected to that site.

Is this a needed or pointless step? I know it may depend on what kind of business you are and where your links are going, but generally I am speaking.

thanks.

[trillianjedi]

If you're concerned about it, why not just have some text on the page of links explaining that they are not affiliated with you (if true) and you are not responsible for their content.

I don't see any reason why you would want to have that on every single link - seems overkill to me.

TJ

[saoi_jp]

I agree that it's overkill but under some circumstances, overkill is perhaps deemed necessary.

Weigh the "overkill" factor against the concequences (if any) of a viewer becoming confused.

The site of the US Treasury for buying their bonds is very careful to let you know when you're leaving, even when they're sending you to another .gov site.

Bottom line, I'd say, is to (1) realize that not all visitors notice URLs or can understand when they leave one site and go to another, and to (2) decide whether or not this situation would impact you (your site) in any way.

[Rosalind]

I know you should never underestimate the capacity of an audience to miss the obvious, but remember that you may also have to cater to smart users too. A disclaimer with every single link is definitely overkill. The url and the site's appearance are good enough clues, and labelling the page something like "External Links" can also be a giveaway.

Only put in multiple disclaimers if you're getting a lot of emails from people making this kind of mistake.