diff --git a/docs/reference/ilm/ilm-tutorial.asciidoc b/docs/reference/ilm/ilm-tutorial.asciidoc
index 6c52be49829..1e9e29e4238 100644
--- a/docs/reference/ilm/ilm-tutorial.asciidoc
+++ b/docs/reference/ilm/ilm-tutorial.asciidoc
@@ -10,8 +10,7 @@
 This tutorial demonstrates how to use {ilm} 
 ({ilm-init}) to manage indices that contain time-series data.
 
-When you continuously index timestamped documents into {es} using
-Filebeat, Logstash, or some other mechanism,
+When you continuously index timestamped documents into {es},
 you typically use an index alias so you can periodically roll over to a new index.
 This enables you to implement a hot-warm-cold architecture to meet your performance
 requirements for your newest data, control costs over time, enforce retention policies,
@@ -28,10 +27,12 @@ as expected.
 
 For an introduction to rolling indices, see <<index-rollover>>. 
 
-NOTE: {filebeat} includes a default {ilm-init} policy that initiates the rollover action when
-the index size reaches 50GB or becomes 30 days old. 
-You can use this policy as a starting point, or replace it with a custom policy.
-See {kibana-ref}/example-using-index-lifecycle-policy.html[Use {ilm-init} to manage Filebeat time-based indices].
+IMPORTANT: When you enable {ilm} for {beats} or the {ls} {es} output plugin, 
+lifecycle policies are set up automatically. 
+You do not need bootstrap the initial index or take any other actions.
+You can modify the default policies through 
+{kibana-ref}/example-using-index-lifecycle-policy.html[{kib} Management]
+or the {ilm-init} APIs.
 
 
 [discrete]
diff --git a/docs/reference/ilm/index.asciidoc b/docs/reference/ilm/index.asciidoc
index 434e803e887..2ce02854176 100644
--- a/docs/reference/ilm/index.asciidoc
+++ b/docs/reference/ilm/index.asciidoc
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ For example, you could use {ilm-init} to:
 * Create a new index each day, week, or month and archive previous ones
 * Delete stale indices to enforce data retention standards
 
+When you enable {ilm} for {beats} or the {ls} {es} output plugin, 
+{ilm-init} is configured automatically. 
+You can modify the default policies through {kib} Management or the {ilm-init} APIs.
+
 [TIP]
 To automatically back up your indices and manage snapshots, 
 use <<getting-started-snapshot-lifecycle-management,snapshot lifecycle policies>>.
@@ -48,4 +52,3 @@ include::using-policies-rollover.asciidoc[]
 include::ilm-with-existing-indices.asciidoc[]
 
 include::ilm-and-snapshots.asciidoc[]
-
diff --git a/docs/reference/ilm/set-up-lifecycle-policy.asciidoc b/docs/reference/ilm/set-up-lifecycle-policy.asciidoc
index f0517c334f1..8d7864a1d20 100644
--- a/docs/reference/ilm/set-up-lifecycle-policy.asciidoc
+++ b/docs/reference/ilm/set-up-lifecycle-policy.asciidoc
@@ -12,6 +12,12 @@ you create the policy and add it to the index template.
 To use a policy to manage an index that doesn't roll over,
 you can specify the policy directly when you create it.
 
+IMPORTANT: When you enable {ilm} for {beats} or the {ls} {es} output plugin, 
+the necessary policies and configuration changes are applied automatically. 
+You can modify the default policies, but you do not need to explicitly configure a policy or
+bootstrap an initial index.
+
+
 [discrete]
 [[ilm-create-policy]]
 === Create lifecycle policy