How do I add an unsubscribe header to emails in Intercom?

Summary

Intercom automatically manages subscriptions and includes List-Unsubscribe headers with one-click unsubscribe (RFC 8058) for audiences managed within the platform. This is essential for maintaining good sender reputation, email deliverability, and compliance with email regulations, including GDPR. While Intercom handles much of this automatically, verifying the presence of List-Unsubscribe headers in test emails is recommended. Customizing the unsubscribe flow is possible through custom unsubscribe pages, though the default unsubscribe language cannot be directly modified.

Key findings

  • Automated Functionality: Intercom automatically handles subscriptions and includes List-Unsubscribe headers.
  • RFC 8058 Compliance: Intercom implements RFC 8058 one-click unsubscribe.
  • Deliverability Impact: List-Unsubscribe headers improve email deliverability and sender reputation, particularly with major email providers.
  • Customization Options: Custom unsubscribe pages allow for a tailored user experience, though default language isn't customizable.
  • Compliance: Automatic implementation helps with GDPR and other regulatory compliance.

Key considerations

  • Audience Management: The automatic unsubscribe functionality is geared towards audiences managed within Intercom.
  • Header Verification: Regularly verify that List-Unsubscribe headers are present in test emails.
  • Custom Page Strategy: Carefully plan custom unsubscribe pages to align with brand and messaging.
  • Provider Requirements: Understand individual email provider requirements and preferences regarding List-Unsubscribe.
  • Preference Settings: Be aware of any preferences within Intercom which manage the flow.

What email marketers say
7Marketer opinions

Intercom automatically includes unsubscribe links and handles the unsubscribe process, including one-click unsubscribe via List-Unsubscribe headers, to comply with email marketing regulations. While the default unsubscribe language cannot be modified, Intercom allows for the use of custom unsubscribe pages. To verify functionality, users can send a test email and check the headers. Ensuring correctly functioning unsubscribe links is crucial for maintaining a good sender reputation and deliverability.

Key opinions

  • Automatic inclusion: Intercom automatically includes unsubscribe links in emails.
  • One-click unsubscribe: Intercom supports one-click unsubscribe via List-Unsubscribe headers.
  • Compliance: Intercom helps maintain compliance with GDPR and other email regulations.
  • Customization: Default unsubscribe language is not modifiable, but custom unsubscribe pages can be used.
  • Verification: Functionality can be verified by sending a test email and checking headers.

Key considerations

  • Sender Reputation: Correctly functioning unsubscribe links are crucial for maintaining a good sender reputation.
  • Deliverability: Ensuring functioning unsubscribe links improves overall email deliverability.
  • Custom Pages: Consider creating custom unsubscribe pages for tailored messaging.
  • Header Verification: Always verify the List-Unsubscribe header is present in test emails.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user explains that Intercom includes unsubscribe links automatically and that there is a preference setting to manage the 'unsubscribe reason' page. They suggest looking at the settings under email preferences.

January 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Blog covers that Intercom handles the unsubscribe process, including one-click unsubscribe via List-Unsubscribe headers, which helps maintain compliance with GDPR and other email regulations.

February 2025 - Email Marketing Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailtrap Blog advises that with Intercom, the unsubscribe header is automatically generated to comply with email marketing regulations, so customizing this header may not be directly possible through Intercom's interface.

September 2022 - Mailtrap Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Intercom Community Forum shares that Intercom uses One-Click Unsubscribe which is often required by email providers like Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo, to ensure that users can easily unsubscribe if they choose to.

April 2023 - Intercom Community Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that ensuring unsubscribe links function correctly in Intercom helps maintain a good sender reputation, reduces spam complaints, and improves overall email deliverability.

July 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum suggests sending a test email from Intercom to a personal email address and then viewing the email headers to confirm the presence of the 'List-Unsubscribe' header.

July 2022 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Intercom Community Forum shares that the default unsubscribe language cannot be modified. Instead it is recommended to use custom unsubscribe pages which enable custom messaging.

August 2021 - Intercom Community Forum

What the experts say
7Expert opinions

Intercom automatically includes List-Unsubscribe headers, including RFC 8058 one-click unsubscribe, which is crucial for good sender reputation, deliverability, and compliance with email regulations like GDPR. Major email providers like Hotmail and Gmail prioritize List-Unsubscribe headers when determining whether to accept mail. Check email headers to confirm Intercom is adding these headers. Intercom's list management capabilities impact unsubscribe handling.

Key opinions

  • Automatic Headers: Intercom automatically includes List-Unsubscribe headers.
  • One-Click Unsubscribe: Intercom implements RFC 8058 one-click unsubscribe.
  • Deliverability Impact: List-Unsubscribe headers are crucial for email deliverability, especially with Hotmail and Gmail.
  • Compliance: List-Unsubscribe functionality helps comply with email regulations.
  • List Management: Intercom's list management capabilities influence unsubscribe handling.

Key considerations

  • Header Verification: Verify List-Unsubscribe headers are present in sent emails.
  • Sender Reputation: Prioritize a clear List-Unsubscribe process to maintain a good sender reputation.
  • Email Regulations: Stay compliant with email marketing regulations like GDPR.
  • Provider Requirements: Be aware of email provider requirements (e.g., Hotmail, Gmail) regarding List-Unsubscribe.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests checking the headers of the sent mail to see if Intercom is adding unsub headers, as many ESPs do this automatically, even if it's not configurable in the UI. He also asks where the list of recipients is being managed.

October 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that providing a clear and functioning List-Unsubscribe header is critical for maintaining good sender reputation and deliverability. This helps avoid being marked as spam and ensures compliance with email regulations, improving overall campaign effectiveness.

April 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that Intercom should be able to manage list unsubscribe headers, especially if they are providing the list management functionality.

February 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks confirms that Intercom uses proper List-Unsubscribe headers, including RFC 8058 one-click unsubscribe functionality.

April 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise points out Gmail's implementation of list-unsubscribe, which allows users to easily unsubscribe from email lists. Intercom's support for this functionality aligns with Gmail's requirements, improving deliverability and user experience.

March 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise responds on the importance of list unsubscribe because Hotmail (Microsoft) cares about list-unsubscribe and makes it a major factor of whether they accept mail. Not having it is bad.

February 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains the importance of one-click unsubscribe, as it's highly valued by email providers and recipients. By implementing RFC 8058 one-click unsubscribe, Intercom helps ensure a smooth unsubscription process, reducing spam complaints and enhancing user satisfaction.

June 2021 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

Intercom automatically manages subscriptions and includes List-Unsubscribe functionality, adhering to RFC8058 for one-click unsubscribes, for audiences managed within its platform. To further customize the user experience, you can create a custom unsubscribe page and redirect users to it.

Key findings

  • Automatic Management: Intercom automatically handles subscriptions and unsubscribes.
  • RFC8058 Compliance: Implements RFC8058 for one-click unsubscribe functionality.
  • Customization Options: Allows creating custom unsubscribe pages.

Key considerations

  • Audience Management: The automatic unsubscribe functionality applies to audiences managed within Intercom.
  • Custom Page Benefits: Consider creating a custom unsubscribe page for a tailored user experience.
  • Compliance: Ensure your unsubscribe process complies with all relevant regulations and best practices.
Technical article

Documentation from Intercom Help Center explains that you can customize the unsubscribe flow in Intercom by creating a custom unsubscribe page and redirecting users to it after they unsubscribe.

April 2022 - Intercom Help Center
Technical article

Documentation from RFC 8058 specifies the use of the 'List-Unsubscribe' header field, which allows recipients to easily unsubscribe from mailing lists. Intercom utilizes this header for one-click unsubscribe functionality.

April 2022 - RFC 8058
Technical article

Documentation from Intercom Help Center explains that Intercom automatically handles subscriptions and provides list-unsubscribe functionality, including RFC8058 one-click unsubscribe, for audiences managed within Intercom. This ensures compliance with email sending best practices.

February 2023 - Intercom Help Center