Definition
💡 An unsubscribe link is a URL in an email that’s hyperlinked to a web page allowing the recipient to click and remove themself from a mailing list. These are commonly found in emails like newsletters along with marketing and promotional messages.
When the email recipient clicks the unsubscribe link, they are directed to a web page. That page will either confirm that the request was received or ask the user to confirm by clicking a button. In some cases, additional questions are presented regarding the removal request.
Example
Companies that send marketing emails are required to provide a way for recipients to unsubscribe from future messages per the CAN-SPAM Act. Emails regarding a transaction (e.g. product delivery) or relationship (e.g. change in membership terms) are not required to include a removal link.Where to find an unsubscribe link in an email?
An unsubscribe link is normally placed at the bottom of an email. It can appear at the end of the message body or within the email footer. It’s often displayed in small print (making it difficult to spot at a glance).
How do you know if an unsubscribe link is safe?
Like other links to websites and pages, there’s no guarantee that an unsubscribe link is safe. However, there are a few things you can do such as double-check that the email sender is legitimate, hover your cursor over the link to see the full path, and use your email client’s unsubscribe feature instead.
What can you do if emails have an unsubscribe link but they keep being sent to you?
The sender has 10 business days to honor your unsubscribe request. If you continue to receive emails after you click an unsubscribe link and confirm, there are a few things you can do:
- Wait a few days because the removal process can take 24 to 48 hours.
- Check your subscription settings with the sender such as for an online retailer.
- Use your email provider’s features to report the message as spam and optionally block the sender.
- File a complaint by visiting the FTC’s Report Fraud website which covers spam emails.
How to unsubscribe from an email with no link?
If the email you receive does not include an unsubscribe link, use your email service provider’s unsubscribe feature. Most common providers such as Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and Yahoo Mail offer ways to remove yourself from mailing lists.
Alternatively, you can mark the messages as spam, also using your provider’s spam tool, or report the emails to the FTC’s Report Fraud website.
