Linking policy
External links
External links do not constitute an SBA endorsement of the opinions, products or services presented on the external site, or of any sites linked to it.
External links are intended to support SBA’s mission. They are not intended to support private or commercial organizations or businesses. Links to .org, .gov, .edu, .mil, or other domains that provide small business information related to SBA’s mission are permitted when they are non-commercial and contain information in the public interest. These sites include:
- Organizations engaged in a formal partnership, strategic alliance, or cooperative agreement with SBA, such as SBA Resource Partners and co-sponsors (if to a cosponsor, the link must be to page or website specific to the cosponsored activity)
- Federal, state, local, Tribal, and Territorial government agencies
- In press releases only: News media articles where SBA officials, in their official capacity, or SBA programs are mentioned
- Reviewed on a case-by-case basis: Small business-related trade associations or educational institutions that provide authoritative information
SBA.gov staff evaluates all suggested links using the following criteria:
- Is the linked website an official government-owned or supported website?
- Does the linked website provide official government information or services?
- Does the linked website complement existing information, products and services on SBA.gov?
- Is the linked website accessible and applicable to a wide audience?
- Is the linked website's content relevant, useful, and authoritative for citizens, businesses, and/or government officials?
- Does the linked website's information appear to be accurate and current?
- Does the information duplicate anything that already exists on the site?
- Does use of the linked website require registration, and if so, is its approach to the collection of personal information consistent with SBA’s privacy and security policies?
- Is the linked website user-friendly?
- For links to SBA event cosponsors: is the web page specifically intended to support the cosponsored activity and is free from product placement?
SBA will not link to:
- Websites which are primarily commercial in nature (i.e., advertising a product, charging a usage fee, soliciting user information, etc.)
- Websites which violate federal ethics policies or only promote or endorse non-federal products or services
- Websites that are deemed to be misleading, contain unsubstantiated claims, or are determined to be in conflict with SBA’s mission
- Websites which charge a user fee for access
- Websites which exhibit hate, bias, or discrimination and/or promote one political party over another
- Websites that encourage the public to contact members of Congress or other federal officials, as well as state or local officials, on behalf of an Administration position with respect to pending legislation, regulations, policies, appropriations, or ratification actions
Mandatory links
Section 207(f) of the E-Government Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-347) stipulates that all federal agency public websites identify and post the following mandatory links on major entry points of their sites:
- Agency strategic plan and annual performance plans
- Descriptions of agency organizational structure, mission, and statutory authority
- Information made available under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
- Specific website privacy policies
- USA.gov
- No Fear Act information and data
- Agency point of contact for small businesses as required by the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002
- Other cross-government portals or links required by law or policy
Reciprocal links
We may link to information in accordance with our linking policy, even if the other website does not link back to SBA. SBA does not routinely engage in reciprocal linking.
Links from an outside resource
Any public or private entity may link to SBA.gov as long as the descriptive words of SBA.gov are accurate and not misleading and do not misrepresent any relationship between the linking site and SBA.gov. Entities may not use the SBA logo as its link.
Advance permission is not required to link to SBA.gov provided these conditions are followed.
Reproduction of SBA content
Government information on SBA.gov is in the public domain. Public domain information may be freely distributed and copied, but it is requested that in any subsequent use, SBA’s information be given appropriate acknowledgement. When using SBA.gov you may encounter documents, illustrations, photographs, or other information resources contributed or licensed by private individuals, companies, or organizations that may be protected by U.S. and foreign copyright laws. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use as defined in the copyright laws requires the written permission of the copyright owners. It is your responsibility to identify the copyright owner and obtain permission before making use of this material.
Disclaimers
- SBA does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of information contained on a linked website.
- SBA does not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked websites, and we do not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer.
- SBA cannot authorize the use of copyrighted materials contained in linked websites. Users must request such authorization from the sponsor of the linked website.
- SBA is not responsible for transmissions users receive from linked websites.SBA does not guarantee that outside websites comply with Section 508 (accessibility requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act.
Privacy and security
Check SBA.gov's Privacy policy page to learn more about our privacy and security policies.
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