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Akismet Terms and Conditions of Use

SERIOUS
FIRST SEEN 2026-08-11 · VERSION 20260811_rev01 · FIRST CAPTURED VERSION

What changed, in plain language

How reviews are made

This is the first time the full text of Akismet's Terms and Conditions has been captured, so the entire document shows up as new. Nothing here is necessarily a fresh change by Automattic — treat it as a baseline of what you agree to today. The main points: Akismet can change the terms or the service at any time without telling you, can shut down your account for any reason with no notice and no refund, paid plans auto-renew (and renew at full price after a discount), and its total responsibility to you is capped at what you paid in the last 12 months. Disputes go to court in San Francisco under California law. On the plus side, there is no forced arbitration and no class-action waiver, and cancelling is a simple two-click process in your account.

Changes that may affect you

Terms and the service can change at any time, with no noticeSERIOUS
UNILATERAL CHANGES

Automattic can rewrite these terms or change, pause, or shut down Akismet whenever it wants, without telling you, and owes you nothing for it. You are bound by the new terms just by continuing to use the service. Note: this is a first full capture of the document, so this clause may not be newly added.

“The Website, Service, and these Terms and Conditions may be changed at the sole discretion of Automattic and without notice.”

What you can do — Check https://akismet.com/tos/ before each renewal, and don't build anything critical on Akismet that you can't switch away from quickly.

Your account can be cut off for any reason, without warningSERIOUS
TERMINATION

Automattic can end your access for any reason or no reason at all, with no notice and no liability. If you're cut off over copyright complaints, you also get no refund of what you already paid. Meanwhile you have to give 30 days' notice to leave. This may be a long-standing clause rather than a new one.

“Automattic may terminate this Agreement, your rights under this Agreement, and your access to and use of the Website and Service in its sole discretion, for any reason or no reason at all, (including but not limited to failure to pay your fees), with or without cause and without notice or liability to you or any third party.”

What you can do — Keep a backup anti-spam option in mind, and don't prepay for long terms you can't afford to lose.

Almost no warranties, damages capped, and you cover their legal billsSERIOUS
LIABILITY LIMITS

Akismet promises nothing about staying online or correctly spotting spam. If it wrongly deletes real comments or goes down, the most you can get back is what you paid in the last 12 months — nothing if you're on a free key. Lost profits and lost data are excluded. On top of that, you must defend Automattic and pay its lawyers if someone sues over your use of the service.

“In no event will the aggregate liability for any and all of your claims against Automattic, its suppliers and its licensors arising out of or related to use of the Website and Service, or the contents thereof or of any hyperlinked website exceed the amounts actually paid by you to Automattic during the 12-month period prior to the date a claim is made.”

What you can do — Review your spam folder regularly instead of relying on Akismet alone, since you have no recourse for wrongly filtered comments.

Auto-renewal, and discounts don't carry overMATERIAL
BILLING & RENEWAL

Your plan renews and charges your card automatically until you cancel. If you signed up with a coupon or promo price, the renewal is billed at the full regular price, which can be a jump you don't expect. The good news is the cancellation path is simple and clearly spelled out, and fee changes need 30 days' notice.

“If you subscribed during a promotion, used a coupon code, or otherwise received a discount, your subscription will automatically renew for the full price of the subscription at the end of the discount period.”

What you can do — Check your renewal date at https://akismet.com/account/ and set a calendar reminder a week before; cancel there with the "Cancel" link if the full price isn't worth it.

Any lawsuit has to be filed in San FranciscoMATERIAL
JURISDICTION

California law governs, and disputes must go to court in San Francisco County. For most users that means traveling far or hiring out-of-state lawyers, which makes small claims impractical to pursue. On the upside, there is no forced arbitration and no class-action waiver here, so your right to go to court and to join group lawsuits is intact.

“the proper venue for any disputes arising out of or relating to any of the same will be the state and federal courts located in San Francisco County, California”
Free keys only for personal, non-commercial sitesMINOR
USER OBLIGATIONS

If your site counts as commercial, you must buy a paid plan. Paid plans also have API call limits, and exceeding them lets Automattic slow down or block your spam checks. You're also responsible for keeping your API key secure and for everything done with it.

“Free keys are for personal, non-commercial sites only.”

What you can do — Check the "free or paid" guidance page if your site has ads, sells anything, or promotes a business, so you don't get cut off unexpectedly.

Changelog

  1. + ADDEDFull terms captured for the first time

    The earlier snapshot had no readable text, so every section appears as added. The items below describe what the terms say now, not necessarily what Automattic just changed.

  2. + ADDEDAkismet can change the terms without notice

    Automattic can rewrite the terms whenever it wants and does not have to tell you. You are bound by the new version, and it is on you to check the page from time to time.

    The Website, Service, and these Terms and Conditions may be changed at the sole discretion of Automattic and without notice.

  3. + ADDEDThe service itself can change or shut down at any time

    Automattic can alter, pause, or permanently end any part of Akismet without warning, and will not owe you anything for it. If you don't like a change, your only option is to close your account.

    Automattic may in its sole discretion change, modify, suspend, make improvements to or discontinue any aspect of the Website and Service, temporarily or permanently, at any time and without notice to you.

  4. + ADDEDAccounts can be terminated for any reason, with no notice

    Automattic can end your access for any reason or no reason at all, without warning. You, by contrast, must give 30 days' written notice to end the agreement.

    Automattic may terminate this Agreement, your rights under this Agreement, and your access to and use of the Website and Service in its sole discretion, for any reason or no reason at all, (including but not limited to failure to pay your fees), with or without cause and without notice or liability to you or any third party.

  5. + ADDEDPaid plans renew automatically, at full price after a discount

    Subscriptions keep renewing and charging your saved payment method until you cancel. If you signed up with a coupon or promo, the renewal is at the regular price, not the discounted one.

    If you subscribed during a promotion, used a coupon code, or otherwise received a discount, your subscription will automatically renew for the full price of the subscription at the end of the discount period.

  6. + ADDEDClear cancellation path and 30 days' notice before price changes

    You can see your renewal date and cancel from your account page in two clicks, and Automattic must give 30 days' written notice before changing fees. Continuing to use your API key after that counts as agreeing to the new prices.

    Automattic reserves the right to change the payment terms and fees upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to you.

  7. + ADDEDService sold "as is" with no promises about uptime or accuracy

    Akismet makes no guarantee that it will stay online or that it will correctly tell spam from real comments.

    Automattic makes no representations and warranties regarding uptime for the Service and the accuracy of the Service in identifying spam or non-spam.

  8. + ADDEDPayouts capped at the last 12 months of fees

    Even if something goes badly wrong, the most you can recover is what you paid Akismet in the previous year. Lost profits, lost data, and business downtime are excluded entirely. Free users would recover nothing.

    In no event will the aggregate liability for any and all of your claims against Automattic, its suppliers and its licensors arising out of or related to use of the Website and Service, or the contents thereof or of any hyperlinked website exceed the amounts actually paid by you to Automattic during the 12-month period prior to the date a claim is made.

  9. + ADDEDYou must cover Automattic's legal costs in some cases

    If someone sues Automattic over your use of Akismet, you have to defend the company and pay its legal bills, including lawyers' fees.

    You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Automattic, its contractors and its licensors, and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any and all claims and expenses, including attorneys' fees, arising out of your use of the Service

  10. + ADDEDNo refund after a copyright-related termination

    If your access is cut off over repeat copyright complaints, Automattic keeps the money you already paid.

    In the case of such termination, Automattic will have no obligation to provide a refund of any amounts previously paid to Automattic.

  11. + ADDEDDisputes go to California courts

    California law applies and any lawsuit must be filed in state or federal court in San Francisco County, no matter where you live. Which Automattic entity you contract with depends on your country.

    the proper venue for any disputes arising out of or relating to any of the same will be the state and federal courts located in San Francisco County, California

  12. + ADDEDFree keys are for personal sites only; paid plans have usage limits

    Commercial sites must buy a paid plan. Every paid plan has an API call limit, and going over it can get your calls slowed down or blocked.

    If you exceed your API usage limit, Automattic reserves the right to restrict or throttle your API calls.

  13. + ADDEDGDPR data processing agreement available

    If you need a data processing agreement because Akismet handles your visitors' data, there is a request process for one.

    If you need a data processing agreement (DPA) with us for the GDPR requirements that apply to us as a data processor for your website, please follow [these instructions](https://wordpress.com/support/data-processing-agreements/).

Full text changes

COLOUR MARKS THE SEVERITY OF A FLAGGED CLAUSE · + AND − MARK ADDED AND REMOVED

1The Akismet.com website ("Website") is a hosted anti-comment-spam service ("Service") operated by Automattic. Any use of the Website and Service is subject to the following Akismet Terms and Conditions of Use ("Terms and Conditions"), as well as to Automattic's Privacy Policy, all of which are incorporated by reference into these Terms and Conditions. When you use an Akismet API Key ("API Key"), download the Akismet WordPress Plugin ("Plugin"), or access any part of the Website or use the Service, you agree that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions concerning your use of: (a) the Website and Service; (b) the API Key; and (c) the Plugin.
2
3We use the term "Designated Countries" to refer to Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, and all countries located in the European continent. If you reside in the "Designated Countries," your agreement is with Aut O'Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd. If you reside outside of the "Designated Countries," your agreement is with Automattic Inc.
4
5We refer to Aut O'Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd. and Automattic Inc. collectively as "Automattic" or "we" throughout this agreement.
6
7### 1\. General
8
9Free keys are for personal, non-commercial sites only. For more details about what we consider a commercial site, please see our [Should I choose a free or paid subscription?](https://akismet.com/getting-started/free-or-paid/) support page.
10
11To obtain an API Key for personal use or purchase an API Key for commercial use, and to download the Plugin to use our Service, you must first register with the Website. After obtaining or purchasing an API Key, you will be able to use the Service. Automattic may in its sole discretion change, modify, suspend, make improvements to or discontinue any aspect of the Website and Service, temporarily or permanently, at any time and without notice to you. Under no circumstances will Automattic be liable for any such change, modification, suspension, improvement or discontinuance. If you do not agree with any of these changes, you must terminate your account as set forth in Section 14.
12
13### 2\. Registration and Access
14
15By registering with Automattic, you represent and warrant that the information you provide to Automattic in connection with any registration process is true and accurate, and that you will promptly notify Automattic if any of that information changes. Automattic may use the information that you provide during the registration process, in particular your email address: (a) to communicate with you about the Website and Service, including without limitation, any changes to Automattic's Privacy Policy or other policies; (b) respond to your emails to us regarding spam; and (c) for all other purposes stated in Automattic's Privacy Policy. Automattic reserves the right to terminate your access to and use of all of the Automattic websites if you provide false or inaccurate information.
16
17If you obtain or purchase an API Key, you are responsible for maintaining the security of your API Key, and you are fully responsible for all activities that occur under the account and any other actions taken in connection with your API Key. You must immediately notify Automattic of any unauthorized uses of your API Key, your account or any other breaches of security. Automattic will not be liable for any acts or omissions by you, including any damages of any kind incurred as a result of such acts or omissions. You agree to not share or misuse your access credentials.
18
19Your access and use of the Automattic API and the API key are subject to [Automattic's API guidelines](https://developer.wordpress.com/guidelines/) and any successor terms published by Automattic.
20
21### 3\. Commercial Use Plans, Fees, and Automatic Renewal
22
23For [commercial sites](https://docs.akismet.com/getting-started/free-or-paid/), you must obtain an API Key by purchasing one of our [paid plans](https://akismet.com/plans/) (any plan other than Personal), each of which has an [API usage limit](https://docs.akismet.com/akismet-api-usage-limits/). If you exceed your API usage limit, Automattic reserves the right to restrict or throttle your API calls.
24
25Akismet plans [automatically renew as recurring subscriptions](https://docs.akismet.com/account/how-your-akismet-subscription-works/). You'll see the then-current price and subscription period at the time of purchase. If you subscribed during a promotion, used a coupon code, or otherwise received a discount, your subscription will automatically renew for the full price of the subscription at the end of the discount period.
26
27By enrolling in a subscription, you authorize us to automatically charge the subscription fee (and any applicable taxes) to your designated payment method for each subsequent subscription period until you or we cancel the subscription or the subscription is cancelled for other reasons.
28
29You can view your renewal date and manage your plan by going to [https://akismet.com/account/](https://akismet.com/account/). To cancel a plan, click the "Cancel" link next to the plan you wish to cancel and confirm by clicking "Yes, remove this subscription from my account."
30
31Automattic reserves the right to change the payment terms and fees upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to you. Your continued use of the API Key constitutes your acceptance of all of the changed payment and fee terms.
32
33### 4\. Responsibility of Website Visitors
34
35Automattic has not reviewed, and cannot review, all of the material posted to the Website, and cannot therefore be responsible for that material's content, use or effects. By operating the Website, Automattic does not represent or imply that it endorses the material there posted, or that it believes such material to be accurate, useful or non-harmful. You are responsible for taking precautions as necessary to protect yourself and your computer systems from viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other harmful or destructive content. Automattic disclaims any responsibility for any harm resulting from the use by visitors of the Website, or from any downloading by those visitors of content there posted.
36
37### 5\. Content Posted on Other Websites
38
39We have not reviewed, and cannot review, all of the material, including computer software, made available through the websites and webpages to which the Website links, and that link to the Website (for example software linked to from the [Development section](https://akismet.com/developers/) of the site). Automattic does not have any control over those non-Akismet websites and webpages, and is not responsible for their contents or their use. By linking to a non-Akismet website or webpage, Automattic does not represent or imply that it endorses such website or webpage. You are responsible for taking precautions as necessary to protect yourself and your computer systems from viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other harmful or destructive content. Automattic disclaims any responsibility for any harm resulting from your use of non-Akismet websites and webpages.
40
41### 6\. Copyright Infringement and DMCA Policy
42
43As Automattic asks others to respect its intellectual property rights, it respects the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe that material located on or linked to by the Website violates your copyright, you are encouraged to notify Automattic in accordance with Automattic's [Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") Policy](http://automattic.com/dmca/). Automattic will respond to all such notices, including as required or appropriate by removing the infringing material or disabling all links to the infringing material. In the case of a user who may infringe or repeatedly infringes the copyrights or other intellectual property rights of Automattic or others, Automattic may, in its discretion, terminate or deny access to and use of the Website or Service. In the case of such termination, Automattic will have no obligation to provide a refund of any amounts previously paid to Automattic.
44
45### 7\. Trademarks
46
47Automattic, Akismet, Akismet.com, the Akismet.com logo, WordPress, WordPress.com, the WordPress.com logo, and all other trademarks, service marks, graphics and logos used in connection with WordPress.com, or the Website are trademarks or registered trademarks of Automattic or Automattic's licensors. Other trademarks, service marks, graphics and logos used in connection with the Website may be the trademarks of other third parties. Your use of the Website grants you no right or license to reproduce or otherwise use any Automattic or third-party trademarks.
48
49### 8\. Changes
50
51The Website, Service, and these Terms and Conditions may be changed at the sole discretion of Automattic and without notice. You are bound by any such updates or changes, including but not limited to those affecting these Terms and Conditions, and so should periodically review these Terms and Conditions.
52
53### 9\. Communications with Automattic
54
55All notices and other communications to Automattic required under this Agreement should be directed to the [Automattic contact page](http://automattic.com/contact). Notice shall be deemed given twenty-four (24) hours after notice is sent. Alternatively, we may give notice by email to the email address provided during the registration process. In such a case, notice is deemed given three (3) days after the date of mailing.
56
57### 10\. Limitation of warranties of Automattic, its suppliers and its licensors
58
59Except as otherwise expressly stated, all content posted to or available from the Website and the Service are provided "as is", and Automattic, its suppliers and its licensors make no representations or warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title or non-infringement of proprietary rights. Automattic makes no representations and warranties regarding uptime for the Service and the accuracy of the Service in identifying spam or non-spam. You understand and agree that you download from, or otherwise obtain content or services through, the Website at your own discretion and risk, and that Automattic, its suppliers and its licensors will have no liability or responsibility for any damage to your computer system or data that results from the download or use of such content or services. Some jurisdictions may not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so some of the above may not apply to you.
60
61### 11\. Limitation of liability of Automattic, its suppliers and its licensors
62
63Except as otherwise expressly stated, in no event will Automattic, its suppliers or its licensors be liable to you or any other party for any direct, indirect, special, consequential or exemplary damages, regardless of the basis or nature of the claim, resulting from any use of the Website or Service, or the contents thereof or of any hyperlinked website including without limitation any lost profits, business interruption, loss of data or otherwise, even if Automattic, its suppliers or its licensors were expressly advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event will the aggregate liability for any and all of your claims against Automattic, its suppliers and its licensors arising out of or related to use of the Website and Service, or the contents thereof or of any hyperlinked website exceed the amounts actually paid by you to Automattic during the 12-month period prior to the date a claim is made. Some jurisdictions may not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for certain incidental or consequential damages, so some of the above limitations may not apply to you. You agree that this Section 11 represents a reasonable allocation of risk.
64
65### 12\. General Representation and Warranty
66
67You represent and warrant that your use of the Website and Service will be in accordance with the Automattic Privacy Policy, with these Terms and Conditions, with any applicable laws and regulations, including without limitation any local laws or regulations in your country, state, city, or other governmental area, regarding online conduct and acceptable content, and including all applicable laws regarding the transmission of technical data exported from the United States or the country in which you reside, and with any other applicable policy or terms and conditions.
68
69### 13\. Indemnification
70
71You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Automattic, its contractors and its licensors, and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any and all claims and expenses, including attorneys' fees, arising out of your use of the Service, including but not limited to out of your violation of any representation or warranty contained in these Terms and Conditions.
72
73### 14\. Termination
74
75Automattic may terminate this Agreement, your rights under this Agreement, and your access to and use of the Website and Service in its sole discretion, for any reason or no reason at all, (including but not limited to failure to pay your fees), with or without cause and without notice or liability to you or any third party. Any termination of these Terms and Conditions automatically terminates the license to use the Service and this Website and to use your API Key. You may terminate these Terms and Conditions for any reason upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to Automattic.
76
77### 15\. Survival
78
79Upon termination, all rights and obligations created by this Agreement will terminate, except that you will continue to be bound by those terms that would by their nature survive such termination, including without limitation those concerning intellectual property rights, disclaimers of warranties and limitations of liability; representations, warranties and indemnity obligations; general provisions; and any payment obligations in accordance with our [refund policy](https://docs.akismet.com/billing/refund/).
80
81### 16\. Data Processing Agreement
82
83If you need a data processing agreement (DPA) with us for the GDPR requirements that apply to us as a data processor for your website, please follow [these instructions](https://wordpress.com/support/data-processing-agreements/).
84
85### 17\. Miscellaneous
86
87These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between Automattic and you concerning the subject matter hereof, and they may only be modified by a written amendment signed by an authorized executive of Automattic, or by the posting by Automattic of a revised version. Except to the extent applicable law, if any, provides otherwise, these Terms and Conditions, any access to or use of the Website will be governed by the laws of the state of California, U.S.A., excluding its conflict of law provisions, and the proper venue for any disputes arising out of or relating to any of the same will be the state and federal courts located in San Francisco County, California. If any part of these Terms and Conditions is held invalid or unenforceable, that part will be construed to reflect the parties' original intent, and the remaining portions will remain in full force and effect. A waiver by either party of any term or condition of these Terms and Conditions or any breach thereof, in any one instance, will not waive such term or condition or any subsequent breach thereof. Automattic may assign its rights under these Terms and Conditions without condition. These Terms and Conditions will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties, their successors and permitted assigns.