diff --git a/doc/administration/get_started.md b/doc/administration/get_started.md
index e8e754f57023fd061d34160715ab5264cd290065..a08314efddd6f7d954a065e5aa5c32fc373f42ba 100644
--- a/doc/administration/get_started.md
+++ b/doc/administration/get_started.md
@@ -173,6 +173,14 @@ All backups are encrypted. After 90 days, backups are deleted.
 
 For more information about GitLab SaaS backups, see our [Backup FAQ page](https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/infrastructure/faq/#gitlabcom-backups).
 
+{{< alert type="note" >}}
+
+You should not use [direct transfer](../user/group/import/_index.md) or
+[project export files](../user/project/settings/import_export.md) to back up your data.
+Using project export files for backups does not always work, and not all items are exported.
+
+{{< /alert >}}
+
 ### Alternative backup strategies
 
 In some situations the Rake task for backups may not be the most optimal solution. Here are some
diff --git a/doc/user/project/settings/import_export.md b/doc/user/project/settings/import_export.md
index 9bdfcf91cd26800522763e0e9f41fe23853a86b6..3dfb7ea4878c62ebf25a7f9b5da29630f2c9df6b 100644
--- a/doc/user/project/settings/import_export.md
+++ b/doc/user/project/settings/import_export.md
@@ -15,6 +15,13 @@ title: Migrate projects and groups by using file exports
 Migrating groups and projects by using [direct transfer](../../group/import/_index.md) is recommended. However, in some
 situations, you might need to migrate groups and project by using file exports.
 
+{{< alert type="note" >}}
+
+You should not use project export files to back up your data.
+Using project export files for backups does not always work, and not all items are exported.
+
+{{< /alert >}}
+
 ## Known issues
 
 - Due to a known issue, you might encounter a