What are the requirements for one-click unsubscribe with Yahoo and Google, and how does RFC 8058 fit in?

Summary

Google and Yahoo require bulk email senders to implement one-click unsubscribe functionality, primarily achieved through RFC 8058. This standard uses the HTTP POST method via the List-Unsubscribe header, enabling users to unsubscribe directly within their email client. Compliance is vital for maintaining good sender reputation, deliverability, and avoiding spam filters. Unsubscribe requests must be processed within 24 hours. While RFC 8058 is the standard, supporting 'mailto:' links can provide compatibility with older email clients. Differentiate between the technical RFC 8058 implementation and legally required unsubscribe links in the email body (e.g., CAN-SPAM). Proper testing and efficient list management are essential.

Key findings

  • RFC 8058 is Mandatory: Google and Yahoo mandate the use of RFC 8058 for one-click unsubscribe.
  • Direct Unsubscribe via Header: Users unsubscribe directly from their email client using the List-Unsubscribe header.
  • Deliverability and Reputation: Compliance improves deliverability, sender reputation, and avoids spam filters.
  • 24-Hour Processing: Unsubscribe requests must be processed within 24 hours.
  • Separation of Requirements: Technical (RFC 8058) and legal (e.g., CAN-SPAM) unsubscribe requirements are separate.

Key considerations

  • Mailto Support: Consider supporting 'mailto:' links in addition to RFC 8058 for compatibility with older email clients.
  • Testing: Thoroughly test your one-click unsubscribe implementation to ensure it functions correctly and quickly.
  • List Management: Maintain efficient list management practices to handle unsubscribe requests effectively.
  • Auditing and Preparation: Audit current unsubscribe processes and prepare your system for automated unsubscribe requests.
  • Canned Resource: Leverage publicly available responses (e.g. Word to the Wise Article) for frequently asked questions about the requirements.

What email marketers say
8Marketer opinions

Google and Yahoo require senders to implement one-click unsubscribe functionality, leveraging RFC 8058, which provides a standardized HTTP-based method for unsubscribing. This allows users to unsubscribe directly from their email interface without navigating to a separate webpage. Proper implementation is crucial for maintaining good sender reputation, ensuring email deliverability, and avoiding spam filters. While RFC 8058 is the standard, maintaining 'mailto:' unsubscribe options can provide compatibility with older email clients. Testing the implementation and ensuring efficient list management are also essential.

Key opinions

  • RFC 8058 Requirement: Google and Yahoo mandate one-click unsubscribe using RFC 8058.
  • Direct Unsubscribe: Users can unsubscribe directly from the email interface.
  • Reputation Impact: Proper implementation improves sender reputation.
  • Deliverability: Compliance is essential for maintaining email deliverability.
  • Spam Filters: Failure to comply can lead to emails being marked as spam.

Key considerations

  • Mailto Support: Consider supporting 'mailto:' for older clients.
  • Testing: Thoroughly test the one-click unsubscribe implementation.
  • List Management: Implement efficient list management practices.
  • ESP Check: Consult with your ESP about their implementation plans.
  • Auditing Processes: Review current unsubscribe processes and ensure efficiency.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum explains that testing the one-click unsubscribe implementation is important to make sure it is working and quick for the user. They suggest using tools to validate the setup.

August 2023 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that Google and Yahoo's new requirements include one-click unsubscribe, which is implemented using RFC 8058. This allows users to unsubscribe directly from the email interface without needing to visit a separate webpage.

May 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost explains that one-click unsubscribe, now a requirement from Google and Yahoo, is achieved by using the List-Unsubscribe header with an HTTPS endpoint as specified in RFC 8058. This offers a seamless unsubscribe experience for recipients.

May 2024 - SparkPost
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid advises email marketers to prepare for Google and Yahoo's one-click unsubscribe requirements by implementing RFC 8058. They suggest auditing current unsubscribe processes and ensuring the system can handle automated unsubscribe requests efficiently.

June 2024 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from GMass explains that compliance with Google and Yahoo's new rules, particularly one-click unsubscribe via RFC 8058, is essential for maintaining deliverability and avoiding spam filters. They also recommend checking with your ESP about their implementation plans.

September 2021 - GMass
Marketer view

Email marketer from SenderList shares that the new requirements from Yahoo and Gmail mean you need to manage your lists efficiently. A properly implemented one-click unsubscribe process using RFC 8058 is a huge part of this.

April 2024 - SenderList
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus emphasizes that one-click unsubscribe, driven by Google and Yahoo, is vital for maintaining good sender reputation. Implementing RFC 8058 ensures compliance and improves user engagement by making it easier for recipients to manage their subscriptions.

October 2021 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that even though RFC 8058 is the standard, some older clients might still rely on the 'mailto:' option in the List-Unsubscribe header. It's a good idea to support both for maximum compatibility, at least for now.

August 2021 - Reddit

What the experts say
6Expert opinions

Google and Yahoo require one-click unsubscribe, achieved through RFC 8058's List-Unsubscribe header. Compliance is essential for deliverability. While RFC 8058 is mandatory, 'mailto:' links can still be supported for legacy clients, especially for existing ESPs, and unsub requests must be processed within 24 hours. It's crucial to differentiate between this technical one-click unsubscribe and the legally required unsubscribe link in the email body (e.g., CAN-SPAM).

Key opinions

  • RFC 8058 Mandatory: Google and Yahoo require RFC 8058 for one-click unsubscribe compliance.
  • Deliverability Impact: Non-compliance negatively impacts email deliverability.
  • 24-Hour Processing: Unsubscribe requests must be processed within 24 hours.
  • Header vs. Body: One-click unsubscribe (header) is separate from legal requirements (body).

Key considerations

  • Mailto Support: Consider supporting 'mailto:' links for legacy clients.
  • Resource Utilization: Use the canned response for the Yahoo/Google one-click unsubscribe question
  • Differentiating requirements: Ensure clarity between technical (RFC 8058) and legal unsubscribe requirements.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks clarifies that RFC 8058 is required for compliance everywhere, including Google, regarding one-click unsubscribe.

December 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks mentions that mailto links can still be included in the List-Unsubscribe header alongside the https one, and for existing ESPs, it's practical to continue supporting mailto until its usage diminishes significantly.

May 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource.com explains that Bulk email senders must implement one-click unsubscribe functionality and this is to reduce spam and unwanted emails, and failing to comply can affect deliverability. This is achieved using RFC 8058.

June 2022 - Spamresource.com
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks provides a canned response and resource link (<https://wordtothewise.com/2024/01/one-click-unsubscribe/>) for the Yahoo/Google one-click unsubscribe question.

April 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks clarifies that Google and Yahoo's 'one-click unsubscribe' refers to RFC 8058 List-Unsubscribe headers, while others often refer to the unsub link in the body of the email related to legal requirements like CAN-SPAM, and that they are almost entirely separate.

April 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains the new one-click unsubscribe requirements from Gmail and Yahoo, noting that the new requirements necessitate the use of RFC 8058 and emphasizes that processing of the requests must occur within 24 hours.

November 2024 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Google and Yahoo require bulk email senders to implement one-click unsubscribe functionality, which is primarily achieved through RFC 8058. This standardizes the unsubscribe process using the HTTP POST method via the List-Unsubscribe header. This enables users to unsubscribe directly from within their email client, improving the user experience. Microsoft recommends one-click unsubscribe as an industry best practice. Google requires processing unsubscribe requests within 24 hours.

Key findings

  • One-Click Mandate: Google and Yahoo require one-click unsubscribe for bulk senders.
  • RFC 8058 Standard: RFC 8058 provides the technical specifications for one-click unsubscription via HTTP POST.
  • List-Unsubscribe Header: The List-Unsubscribe header is used to implement one-click unsubscribe, as initially defined by RFC2369.
  • Deliverability Impact: Failure to comply affects deliverability and can lead to emails being marked as spam.
  • 24-Hour Processing: Google mandates unsubscribe requests are processed within 24 hours.

Key considerations

  • Implementation: Implement one-click unsubscribe functionality using RFC 8058 via the List-Unsubscribe header.
  • Industry Best Practices: Adhere to industry best practices, including one-click unsubscribe, to meet standards.
  • User Experience: Ensure a seamless and user-friendly unsubscribe process.
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor defines the List-Unsubscribe header as a way to provide users with an easy and automated way to unsubscribe from mailing lists, linking to either an email address or a web URL. While RFC 8058 builds on this, this describes the core concept. (RFC2369)

August 2022 - RFC Editor
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace Updates explains that senders must support one-click unsubscribe, requiring a List-Unsubscribe header with either mailto: or https: options and mandating that unsubscribe requests are processed within 24 hours. This aligns with RFC 8058 for the HTTP unsubscribe method.

July 2024 - Google Workspace Updates
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft describes that emails need to adhere to industry best practices for sending. This includes one-click unsubscribe options and ensuring mail meets industry standards.

October 2023 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from Yahoo Mail Help states that bulk email senders must implement one-click unsubscribe functionality, making it easy for users to opt out of receiving emails. This is to reduce spam and unwanted emails, and failing to comply can affect deliverability. This is achieved using RFC 8058.

October 2021 - Yahoo Mail Help
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor provides the technical specifications for RFC 8058, which defines a standardized method for one-click unsubscription using the HTTP POST method. This allows email recipients to unsubscribe directly from within their email client, improving user experience and simplifying the unsubscription process.

January 2023 - RFC Editor