What is the imprint obligation?
In the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) the imprint ("Impressum") is required by §5 of the German Digital Services Act (DDG). Anyone acting commercially online must publish complete contact details.
Does it apply to me as a creator?
Most likely yes. It applies if you share affiliate links, do paid partnerships, promote products, or your channel has a commercial character — on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and everywhere else.
What happens without an imprint?
- Cease-and-desist letters from competitors or law firms
- Fines of up to €50,000
- Legal costs from several hundred to over €1,000
What must an imprint contain?
Under §5 DDG at minimum: full name, a physical address you can be served at (no PO box), and an email address. It must be reachable within two clicks.
The problem: Instagram has no imprint field
Most platforms offer no dedicated imprint field — leaving only a separate website or an unreadable bio.
The elegant solution: imprint in your bio link
With udots your imprint lives right inside your bio link — no extra tool, no separate website:
- Create a free account at udots.me
- Open the "Imprint" section in your profile settings
- Enter name, address and email — done
- Add your udots link to your bio — one link for every platform
Conclusion
With udots you meet the obligation in two minutes, for free and GDPR-compliant. Get started now.
Full details on the German imprint requirement — including Austria and Switzerland — are on our Impressum feature page.
Note: this article is general information and does not replace legal advice.