diff --git a/doc/guides/contributing/pull-requests.md b/doc/guides/contributing/pull-requests.md
index 0ae30d5b7710ec..783d77c8c5730e 100644
--- a/doc/guides/contributing/pull-requests.md
+++ b/doc/guides/contributing/pull-requests.md
@@ -80,10 +80,15 @@ It is recommended to configure `git` so that it knows who you are:
 $ git config user.name "J. Random User"
 $ git config user.email "j.random.user@example.com"
 ```
-Please make sure this local email is also added to your
-[GitHub email list](https://github.com/settings/emails) so that your commits
-will be properly associated with your account and you will be promoted
-to Contributor once your first commit is landed.
+
+You can use any name/email address you prefer here. We only use the
+metadata generated by `git` using this configuration for properly attributing
+your changes to you in the `AUTHORS` file and the changelog.
+
+If you would like for the Github UI to link the commit to your account
+and award you the `Contributor` label after the changes have been merged,
+make sure this local email is also added to your
+[GitHub email list](https://github.com/settings/emails).
 
 ### Step 2: Branch