Double opt-in is a two-step email subscription process where a user must confirm their desire to receive communications, improving email list quality.
Double opt-in is a two-step process where an individual who provides their contact information to an organization must confirm their choice to receive email communications. After the initial sign-up, an email is sent to the individual with a link to confirm their subscription. Only after clicking this link is the individual added to the email list.
Double opt-in is used predominantly in email marketing to ensure that the individuals on an email list truly want to receive communications. It is a best practice for organizations that want to maintain a high-quality email list with engaged subscribers, and it's often used to comply with anti-spam laws.
Single opt-in requires the user to only fill out a form or tick a box to subscribe to an email list. With double opt-in, the user must confirm their subscription through an additional step, typically by clicking a link in a confirmation email.
In some regions, like the European Union, double opt-in is required by law to comply with data protection regulations. In other regions, it's not legally required but is still considered a best practice.
Many email marketing platforms, such as MailChimp, Constant Contact, and SendinBlue, offer double opt-in features.
Double opt-in can improve the quality of an email list by ensuring that subscribers are genuinely interested in receiving communications. It can also help protect against spam complaints and reduce the likelihood of emails being marked as spam.
While double opt-in requires an additional step from the user, it's a powerful tool for building a high-quality, engaged email list. It's particularly important for organizations operating in regions where it's required by law.