Are unsubscribe links in cold emails beneficial or harmful?

Summary

The overwhelming consensus indicates that unsubscribe links are beneficial and, in many cases, legally required for cold emails. While some may view them as detracting from the cold email's credibility, regulations like CAN-SPAM and GDPR mandate their inclusion. The main benefits include improved sender reputation, enhanced deliverability (preventing emails from being marked as spam), avoidance of spam complaints and blacklisting, and better list hygiene. Providing an easy unsubscribe option also builds trust, respects recipients' time, and contributes to a positive user experience, even for those who opt-out. A low unsubscribe rate signals content relevance to mailbox providers, further boosting sender reputation. Failing to comply can lead to penalties.

Key findings

  • Legal Requirement: Laws like CAN-SPAM and GDPR mandate working unsubscribe links in commercial emails.
  • Improved Deliverability: Unsubscribe links prevent emails from being marked as spam, improving deliverability.
  • Better Sender Reputation: Easy opt-out options contribute to a healthy sender reputation.
  • List Hygiene: Unsubscribe links help maintain a clean email list by allowing uninterested recipients to easily opt-out.
  • User Trust: Providing a clear unsubscribe option builds trust with subscribers.

Key considerations

  • Ease of Unsubscription: Ensure the unsubscribe process is easy and straightforward for recipients.
  • Link Visibility: Make the unsubscribe link visible and easily accessible within the email.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Comply with all applicable regulations, such as CAN-SPAM and GDPR, regarding unsubscribe requirements.
  • Prompt Handling: Honor unsubscribe requests promptly to maintain a good sender reputation.
  • Balance with Credibility: While unsubscribes are important, consider its impact on the message.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

The prevailing consensus is that unsubscribe links are beneficial, even essential, in cold emails. Although some believe unsubscribe links detract from the cold email's credibility, the legal requirements (CAN-SPAM, GDPR) mandate their inclusion. Moreover, providing an unsubscribe option improves sender reputation, deliverability rates, and helps to avoid spam complaints and blacklisting. Including an easy unsubscribe option builds trust, respects recipients' time, and ensures a smooth user experience, even for those who opt-out. Maintaining good list hygiene and avoiding spam traps are also benefits of including unsubscribe links.

Key opinions

  • Legal Obligation: Unsubscribe links are legally required in most jurisdictions, including CAN-SPAM and GDPR.
  • Improved Deliverability: Including unsubscribe links helps maintain a good sender reputation and improves deliverability rates, preventing emails from being marked as spam.
  • Trust and Respect: Providing a clear and easy unsubscribe option builds trust with subscribers and demonstrates respect for their preferences.
  • List Hygiene: Unsubscribe links help maintain a cleaner email list and avoid spam traps.
  • User Experience: Ensuring a smooth unsubscribe process enhances the user experience, even if the recipient chooses to opt-out.

Key considerations

  • Implementation: Implement a one-click unsubscribe option to build trust and respect recipients' time.
  • Visibility: Ensure the unsubscribe link is clearly visible and easy to find in the email.
  • Legal Compliance: Ensure that the unsubscribe process complies with legal requirements such as CAN-SPAM and GDPR.
  • Sender Reputation: Monitor and maintain a healthy sender reputation by providing an easy way for recipients to unsubscribe.
  • User Preferences: Respect user preferences by honoring unsubscribe requests promptly and efficiently.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that they saw someone say "...The unsubscribe link is an eyesore that destroys the cold email's credibility"

June 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks sarcastically questions if not having an unsubscribe link helps your DMARC.

June 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from ActiveCampaign suggests that while it might seem counterintuitive, including an unsubscribe link actually protects your long-term sending reputation and improves overall deliverability by ensuring that disengaged subscribers can easily opt-out.

October 2022 - ActiveCampaign
Marketer view

Email marketer from OptinMonster advises providing a clear and easy unsubscribe option to build trust with your subscribers. This demonstrates respect for their preferences and fosters a positive relationship.

July 2021 - OptinMonster
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that including an unsubscribe link is crucial for maintaining a good sender reputation and improving deliverability rates. Failing to do so can lead to higher spam complaints and blacklisting.

October 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Neil Patel shares that ensuring a smooth and hassle-free unsubscribe process enhances the user experience and leaves a positive impression, even if the recipient chooses to opt-out.

March 2025 - Neil Patel
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that they click 'Spam' on those emails.

February 2025 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Marketing Land explains that unsubscribe links are not optional; they are legally required in most jurisdictions, including the CAN-SPAM Act in the US and GDPR in Europe.

October 2022 - Marketing Land
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus explains that omitting unsubscribe links can significantly harm your sender reputation, causing emails to land in spam folders and reducing overall engagement. It's better to give recipients an easy out than to risk being marked as spam.

May 2022 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Warrior Forum suggests using a one-click unsubscribe option in cold emails to build trust and show respect for recipients' time. This can increase the likelihood of positive responses from those who are genuinely interested.

August 2022 - Warrior Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks responds to a discussion about cold emails, noting that the person they replied to works for MailShake, whose business model enables cold emailing.

August 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit says that even though it might seem counterintuitive for cold emails, including an unsubscribe link actually helps maintain a cleaner list and avoid spam traps. It improves your sender reputation in the long run.

April 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from HubSpot emphasizes that including an unsubscribe link prevents your emails from being marked as spam, which negatively impacts your overall deliverability rates and sender reputation.

June 2023 - HubSpot

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Experts agree that unsubscribe links in commercial emails, including cold emails, are not merely a courtesy but a legal requirement under laws like CAN-SPAM. Failing to include a clear and working unsubscribe link can lead to penalties, harm sender reputation, and increase spam complaints. They also help maintain a clean mailing list.

Key opinions

  • Legal Requirement: Including a working unsubscribe link is a legal mandate under regulations like CAN-SPAM.
  • Penalties for Non-Compliance: Failure to include a functional unsubscribe link can result in legal penalties.
  • Mailing List Hygiene: Unsubscribe links assist in maintaining a clean and up-to-date email list.
  • Spam Complaint Reduction: Providing an unsubscribe option can help reduce the number of spam complaints.

Key considerations

  • Link Functionality: Ensure the unsubscribe link is working correctly and directs users to an opt-out mechanism.
  • Clarity: The unsubscribe link should be clear and easily noticeable in the email.
  • Compliance: Stay informed about and comply with relevant laws and regulations regarding unsubscribe requirements.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that CAN-SPAM requires a working unsubscribe link in commercial messages. Failure to provide one can lead to penalties.

February 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource discusses including a clear, working unsubscribe link is not just a courtesy, but a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. It helps maintain a clean mailing list and avoid spam complaints.

August 2021 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Documentation from various sources like the FTC (CAN-SPAM), GDPR.EU, SendGrid, Mailchimp, and SparkPost consistently emphasizes the importance of including clear, conspicuous, and easy-to-use unsubscribe links in all emails, including cold emails. Compliance with regulations like CAN-SPAM and GDPR mandates straightforward opt-out mechanisms. Providing an easy way to unsubscribe demonstrates good list hygiene, which ISPs value and which can improve deliverability, prevent blacklisting, and signal content relevance to mailbox providers, ultimately contributing to a healthy sender reputation. Making unsubscribing difficult can lead to frustration and increased spam complaints.

Key findings

  • Legal Mandate: Regulations like CAN-SPAM and GDPR require clear and easy opt-out mechanisms.
  • Improved Deliverability: Easy unsubscribe options improve deliverability and prevent domain blacklisting.
  • Sender Reputation: Low unsubscribe rates signal content relevance and contribute to a healthy sender reputation.
  • List Hygiene: Unsubscribe options demonstrate good list hygiene practices valued by ISPs.
  • User Experience: Difficult unsubscribe processes lead to frustration and increased spam complaints.

Key considerations

  • Ease of Use: Ensure the unsubscribe process is straightforward and easy for recipients to complete.
  • Visibility: Make the unsubscribe link visible and conspicuous within the email.
  • Prompt Handling: Honor opt-out requests promptly and efficiently.
  • Compliance: Adhere to legal requirements and regulations regarding unsubscribe mechanisms.
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost explains that a low unsubscribe rate is a positive signal to mailbox providers, indicating that recipients find your content relevant. Making unsubscribing easy contributes to a healthy sender reputation.

December 2023 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from GDPR.EU explains that under GDPR, individuals have the right to withdraw consent, and this must be as easy as giving it. Therefore, providing a straightforward unsubscribe mechanism is crucial for compliance.

September 2023 - GDPR.EU
Technical article

Documentation from SendGrid shares that providing an easy way for recipients to unsubscribe demonstrates good list hygiene practices, which ISPs value. This helps improve deliverability and prevents your domain from being blacklisted.

January 2023 - SendGrid
Technical article

Documentation from Mailchimp advises including a visible and straightforward unsubscribe link in all emails. Hiding or making it difficult to unsubscribe can lead to frustration and increased spam complaints.

July 2023 - Mailchimp
Technical article

Documentation from Federal Trade Commission states that the CAN-SPAM Act requires a clear and conspicuous explanation of how the recipient can opt-out of receiving future emails. The process must be easy, and honoring opt-out requests promptly is essential.

August 2021 - Federal Trade Commission