Is 'AD' still required in subject lines for emails sent in China?

Email marketer from Quora shared in a thread that including 'AD' is generally still considered a best practice, if not a strict legal requirement, to ensure compliance with local regulations.

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms that adding "AD" in the subject line is still a requirement in China, despite its ineffectiveness in stopping spam. He explains that it was initially intended to help ISPs filter emails, assuming spammers would comply and legitimate emails wouldn't use it.

Email marketer from Dragon Social explains that placing '[AD]' at the beginning of the subject line is a common practice, and might still be required. They recommend checking the current regulations.

Email marketer from China Marketing Insights states that under the Advertising Law of the People's Republic of China, it is required that all advertisements are clearly identifiable as such and that this often translates to including 'AD' in the subject line of marketing emails.

Email marketer from Reddit user u/EmailExpert suggests asking a local expert due to ever changing requirements, but mentions 'AD' is a good start to keep your domain in good standing.

Marketer from Email Geeks states that the "AD" requirement in subject lines in China is believed to be required by law.

Email marketer from ActiveCampaign advises to always check and comply with current advertising regulations when sending email marketing to China. Including an 'AD' tag is a common practice and may be necessary.

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that, according to regulations in China, emails containing promotional material must be clearly identified as advertising. This is generally accomplished by adding the abbreviation "AD" at the beginning of the email subject line, making it clear to recipients that the email is an advertisement.

Email marketer from Digital Marketing Asia warns that Chinese regulations around email marketing necessitate transparency, and using 'AD' in subject lines is an easy way to fulfill that requirement, though marketers must stay updated on specific interpretations.

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that for email marketing to China (and elsewhere internationally), it is vital to consult with local counsel or experts on current advertising regulations as they relate to email. Whether the 'AD' tag is explicitly required or not, transparency and adherence to local laws are critical for deliverability and legal compliance.

Documentation from China Law Blog describes the general principles of advertising law emphasizing truthfulness and clarity; it suggests advertisers consult legal counsel to ensure compliance regarding labeling requirements like 'AD'.

Documentation from the U.S. Commercial Service explains that according to China's advertising laws, marketing materials should be clearly identified as advertising. While the exact method (like using "AD") isn't always strictly defined, transparency is essential.

Documentation from MessageBird shares that while primarily focused on SMS marketing, MessageBird stresses the importance of adhering to local advertising regulations in China, which often require clear identification of commercial messages.

Documentation from Sinorbis.com clarifies that according to the Advertising Law of the People's Republic of China, all advertisements must be clearly identifiable as such. Although not explicitly mandating 'AD' in the subject line, it necessitates that marketing content is identifiable as advertising.