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Email Compliance · Consent and opt-in

What is email consent management? Definition, how it works, and why it matters

Short answer

Consent is the documented permission a recipient gives to receive marketing email. Laws differ on whether it must be express (opt-in) or may be implied (existing relationship), and on how long it lasts.

Consent is the documented permission a recipient gives to receive marketing email. Laws differ on whether it must be express (opt-in) or may be implied (existing relationship), and on how long it lasts.

Why it matters#

Consent is the legal basis for marketing mail in most jurisdictions and the practical basis for good deliverability: people who asked for mail rarely complain.

Getting started#

  1. Use an unchecked checkbox or a dedicated signup form; never pre-tick.
  2. Record timestamp, IP, source, and the exact wording shown at consent.
  3. Use double opt-in for marketing lists where feasible.
  4. Separate consent for different purposes (newsletter vs partner offers).
  5. Refresh consent for contacts older than two years with no engagement.

Common mistakes#

  • Bundling marketing consent into terms of service acceptance.
  • Losing consent records during a CRM migration.

Frequently asked questions#

Is double opt-in required by law?

Not explicitly in most jurisdictions, but it is the easiest way to prove consent under GDPR and CASL and it improves list quality.

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