What are the requirements for List-Unsubscribe headers to comply with Yahoo and Gmail?
Summary
What email marketers say10Marketer opinions
Email marketer from StackOverflow user coding_expert, in a thread, explains that including both `List-Unsubscribe` and `List-Unsubscribe-Post` headers is required for modern email compliance. Including an HTTPS URL in the `List-Unsubscribe` header is also vital for one-click functionality.
Email marketer from Email Geeks states how to do “one click” unsub in the list-unsubscribe headers is not new, but what’s new is us enforcing it.
Email marketer from GMass mentions that the one-click unsubscribe is mandatory for bulk emails and must comply with regulations. The one-click unsubscribe should be implemented to comply with requirements.
Email marketer from Litmus discusses optimizing the email unsubscribe process. They mention that incorporating List-Unsubscribe headers allows mailbox providers to offer easy unsubscription options to recipients.
Email marketer from Reddit user u/email_marketing_guy shares that the new Yahoo/Gmail requirements include having a one-click unsubscribe. This is done via List-Unsubscribe headers with HTTPS URLs and List-Unsubscribe-Post.
Email marketer from MailerQ highlights the importance of clear and easy-to-find unsubscribe options. It mentions that List-Unsubscribe headers provide recipients with a convenient way to unsubscribe from email lists.
Email marketer from Mailjet Blog highlights the importance of including a List-Unsubscribe header. It allows recipients to easily unsubscribe. They specify this must be a one-click unsubscribe process to comply with sender requirements.
Email marketer from EmailToolTester details the new Gmail and Yahoo requirements for bulk senders. This includes easy unsubscription which requires implementing one-click unsubscribe with List-Unsubscribe headers. The URL must be HTTPS.
Email marketer from SparkPost Blog discusses that using List-Unsubscribe headers helps comply with CAN-SPAM regulations. It mentions that the one-click unsubscribe option streamlines the process for users, improving deliverability.
Email marketer from Postmark Blog explains that it's important to implement a one-click unsubscribe process using List-Unsubscribe headers. The URL included in the header must use HTTPS to ensure secure communication.
What the experts say7Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks shares it is deliverability malpractice to rely on list unsubscribe as the sole method of unsubscribe. List unsubscribe headers are not supported by every email client- they’re a bonus but it does not replace an actual unsubscribe link that complies with can spam.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that you must have a non-interactive, in-application unsubscribe, either a List-Unsubscribe header with a mailto: URL or an RFC 8058 List-Unsubscribe-Post header.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that you can't have only a POST link. To do RFC 8058 you must have an https link in your List-Unsubscribe header, and if accessed via GET it must display a one-click opt-out button to the user.
Expert from Email Geeks clarifies that if you don’t have an https url in your List-Unsubscribe header then you are not implementing RFC 8058 one-click unsubscribe, and that means you’re not complying with the published requirements.
Expert from Email Geeks responds that to meet new requirements, you have to have either a List-Unsubscribe header with a mailto: url or use RFC 8058 unsubscription (which requires a List-Unsubscribe header with an https: url and List-Unsubscribe-Post). If you have a List-Unsubscribe header with an https URL, and no List-Unsubscribe-Post header you’re not following the requirements.
Expert from Word to the Wise explains the new requirements for bulk senders to Yahoo and Gmail. They share that senders MUST publish a one-click unsubscribe using RFC8058. Senders MUST include a List-Unsubscribe header with both a mailto: and a URL. They also state that the List-Unsubscribe URL MUST be HTTPS.
Expert from Email Geeks answers that http URLs are not valid for one-click unsubscribe, so you would not comply with the requirements.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from RFC Editor details the RFC8058 standard, highlighting the use of List-Unsubscribe-Post header. This outlines the procedure for a one-click unsubscribe mechanism using HTTP POST requests.
Documentation from Gmail Help explains that to enable one-click unsubscribe, include both a List-Unsubscribe header and a List-Unsubscribe-Post header in your outgoing email. The List-Unsubscribe header should contain an HTTPS URL.
Documentation from Yahoo Sender Hub shares that bulk senders must implement one-click unsubscribe. This is done using the List-Unsubscribe header with a valid HTTPS URL and a List-Unsubscribe-Post header.
Documentation from Microsoft specifies implementing a clear unsubscribe mechanism, preferably one-click. They recommend using List-Unsubscribe headers to allow for easy unsubscription, improving sender reputation.