Should email marketing opt-in buttons be checked by default?

Email marketer from Mailchimp explains that pre-checked boxes are generally not recommended. They can lead to lower engagement rates, higher spam complaints, and can violate GDPR regulations if you have EU subscribers. Explicit consent is preferred for building a healthy email list.

Email marketer from HubSpot suggests that while pre-checked boxes may seem like a quick win, it is ultimately better to use a clear opt-in approach. Explains quality contacts are more valuable and lead to better long-term results.

Email marketer from Sender.net warns against pre-checked boxes as it can damage sender reputation and increase spam complaints. Suggests focusing on acquiring engaged subscribers who willingly opt-in to receive emails.

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that when you make the opt in compulsory you'll end up collecting "consent" from people that never intended to give it to you. Either you care about consent or you don't, and Spamhaus cares how your recipients feel.

Email marketer from Campaign Monitor answers that explicit consent is paramount for building trust and avoiding legal issues. Pre-checked boxes can lead to deliverability problems due to unengaged subscribers and spam complaints.

Email marketer from Reddit argues against pre-checked boxes, stating it damages sender reputation. Unwanted signups increase spam complaints, leading to deliverability problems.

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that GDPR will be a great defense as pre-checked boxes do not constitute consent under GDPR guidelines: <https://litmus.com/blog/5-things-you-must-know-about-email-consent-under-gdpr>

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum explains that they experimented with pre-checked boxes but saw a significant increase in unsubscribes and spam complaints, leading them to revert to a clear opt-in approach.

Email marketer from OptinMonster shares that while pre-checked boxes might seem like a way to increase conversions, they recommend alternative strategies like offering valuable incentives and using compelling copy to encourage users to actively opt-in.

Email marketer from Email on Acid advocates for using double opt-in (where users confirm their subscription via email). Confirms this to be the most effective method for ensuring high-quality subscribers and avoiding deliverability issues associated with non-consenting users.

Email marketer from Neil Patel recommends against using pre-checked opt-in boxes. He shares that although it might initially inflate your subscriber numbers, it can hurt your sender reputation in the long run because users might not actually want to receive emails from you, leading to spam complaints.

Expert from Word to the Wise shares it's important to have express consent to send emails to a contact.

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that default opt-in buttons often lead to lower engagement rates and can violate consent standards, ultimately harming deliverability.

Documentation from the FTC explains that while the CAN-SPAM Act doesn't explicitly prohibit pre-checked boxes, it requires a clear and conspicuous way for recipients to opt-out of receiving future emails. Using pre-checked boxes could potentially lead to compliance issues if recipients are not fully aware they are subscribing.

Documentation from Litmus emphasizes that pre-checked boxes do not meet the standard for GDPR consent. Consent needs to be freely given, and a pre-checked box assumes consent rather than actively obtaining it.

Documentation from GDPR.eu clarifies that under GDPR, consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous. Pre-ticked boxes are not considered valid consent because they imply consent rather than explicitly obtaining it from the user.