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Summary

The question of whether to pre-check email marketing opt-in buttons is a recurring dilemma for businesses, often pitting immediate list growth against long-term deliverability and subscriber quality. While leadership might favor pre-checked boxes for perceived higher acquisition rates, the consensus among deliverability experts, marketers, and compliance guidelines strongly advises against this practice. Pre-checked opt-ins (or 'opt-out' consent) can lead to a host of problems, including increased spam complaints, higher unsubscribe rates, and ultimately, damaged sender reputation, which can severely impact your email program's ability to reach the inbox.

What email marketers say

Email marketers frequently discuss the tension between aggressive list growth tactics and the need for healthy, engaged subscriber lists. While some marketing teams might be tempted by the immediate boost in numbers that pre-checked opt-in boxes offer, those focused on deliverability and long-term success often argue against it. The consensus leans towards explicit consent, recognizing that quality subscribers are far more valuable than quantity in the long run.

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks warns that making opt-in compulsory leads to collecting consent from people who never intended to give it. This can lead to a less engaged audience which ultimately impacts deliverability.

21 Apr 2020 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks states that while a pre-checked box might seem legally acceptable in a US-only context, the broader principle of privacy (as influenced by GDPR) sets a standard for best practice regarding explicit consent.

21 Apr 2020 - Email Geeks

What the experts say

Deliverability experts consistently advocate for explicit consent in email marketing, emphasizing its critical role in maintaining a positive sender reputation and ensuring long-term inbox placement. They often highlight that relying on pre-checked opt-in boxes, even if legally ambiguous in some jurisdictions, creates significant risks for email programs. The focus is always on fostering genuine engagement and avoiding practices that could lead to spam complaints or blocklistings.

Expert view

Deliverability expert from Spamresource indicates that pre-checked opt-in boxes are a clear indicator of poor consent practices, often leading to increased spam complaints and a damaged sender reputation. Building a clean list requires explicit consent.

20 Apr 2023 - Spamresource

Expert view

Email deliverability expert from Wordtothewise states that genuine subscriber engagement starts with clear, unambiguous consent. Default checked boxes undermine this principle, leading to disinterest and ultimately, poor deliverability metrics.

15 Jan 2024 - Wordtothewise

What the documentation says

Official documentation and regulatory guidelines universally emphasize the importance of explicit consent for email marketing. While specific nuances may vary by region, the overarching principle is that consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous. This standard directly contradicts the practice of using pre-checked opt-in boxes, which are often deemed invalid for obtaining legitimate consent under major data protection laws.

Technical article

Documentation from Securiti.ai states that opt-in is generally considered superior for privacy and consent, especially given regulatory requirements. This emphasizes the need for users to actively agree to data collection or communication.

Aug 2023 - Securiti.ai

Technical article

Salesforce documentation explains that effective opt-in email marketing requires transparent communication and options like checkboxes to obtain consent, highlighting the importance of user awareness and choice.

Jun 2023 - Salesforce

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