Is the one-click unsubscribe / list-unsubscribe header a requirement for marketing emails?

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that including a List-Unsubscribe header is not just a best practice but a requirement for bulk email senders. They emphasize that it helps improve deliverability and sender reputation by providing recipients with an easy way to opt out of receiving emails.

Marketer from Email Geeks states that a general 'one-step unsubscribe' is required for commercial email by Federal law, but not necessarily in the header.

Email marketer from EmailToolTester explains that the List-Unsubscribe header is now mandatory for bulk senders, particularly those sending to Gmail and Yahoo accounts. They discuss how this requirement impacts email marketing strategies and deliverability rates.

Email marketer from Litmus states that major mailbox providers like Gmail and Yahoo require one-click unsubscribe for bulk senders and that this requirement is enforced through the List-Unsubscribe header. They explain that failing to comply can lead to deliverability issues and emails being marked as spam.

Marketer from Email Geeks states that Google outlines that it’s mandatory on June 1, 2024.

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms that both the list-unsubscribe message header and an easy in-body unsubscribe capability is required for non-transactional messages.

Email marketer from Reddit shares that major email providers are now strictly enforcing the one-click unsubscribe requirement via the List-Unsubscribe header, and non-compliance can result in significant deliverability problems.

Email marketer from Stack Overflow answers that it's essential to implement the List-Unsubscribe header correctly. Some top answers are that major providers mandate its presence for bulk emails, and that failure to do so can lead to emails being marked as spam.

Email marketer from SendGrid explains that the one-click unsubscribe feature, facilitated by the List-Unsubscribe header, is essential for maintaining a healthy sender reputation and ensuring compliance with email provider guidelines. It allows recipients to easily opt out of receiving emails, reducing the likelihood of spam complaints.

Expert from Email Geeks confirms that the one-click unsub/list-unsubscribe header is required for marketing emails and notes that the implementation deadline was relaxed a little from February 1st.

Expert from Spam Resource emphasizes the critical role of the List-Unsubscribe header in maintaining sender reputation and ensuring compliance with email marketing best practices. It allows recipients to easily opt out of receiving emails, reducing the likelihood of spam complaints and improving overall deliverability. Though there is not a direct answer, they imply the requirement as they detail it's importance.

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that one-click unsubscribe, implemented via List-Unsubscribe headers, is increasingly essential for bulk senders. They note that major mailbox providers like Gmail and Yahoo are using this as a key factor in determining inbox placement and that senders should prioritize implementing it correctly to avoid deliverability issues.

Documentation from Yahoo Mail outlines requirements for bulk senders, including support for one-click unsubscribe. They must include a List-Unsubscribe header in all marketing emails, enabling users to unsubscribe easily. They state they require a prominent, and easily actioned unsubscribe function in the message body.

Documentation from RFC Editor outlines the technical specifications of the List-Unsubscribe header as defined in RFC 2369 and updated by RFC 8058, indicating its intended use for facilitating easy unsubscription from mailing lists. It formally defines the syntax and semantics of this header field.

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help specifies that senders who send 5,000 or more messages in a 24-hour period to Gmail accounts must implement one-click unsubscribe in marketing messages. It further clarifies that the email must contain a List-Unsubscribe header and include either a mailto: or https: link.