What is EMPS and how does it relate to opt-out lists and email marketing?

Summary

EMPS (Email Preference Service) is a service managed by the DMA that allows US consumers to remove themselves from direct marketing email lists. While its direct relevance may have diminished, the principles it represents – respecting opt-out requests, maintaining clean email lists, and prioritizing subscriber consent – remain critical for email marketing success. Compliance with opt-out requests, whether through EMPS or other mechanisms, is crucial for maintaining sender reputation, avoiding legal penalties (CAN-SPAM, GDPR), and ensuring high deliverability. Modern email marketing emphasizes opt-in strategies, list segmentation, and targeted content to engaged subscribers, furthering the importance of respecting recipient preferences and building trust. Proper handling of subscriptions and unsubscriptions is critical to avoid abuse, maintain clean mailing lists, and honor consumer email preferences. Documentation emphasizes the importance of consumer privacy, data protection, and empowering users with control over their data.

Key findings

  • Definition of EMPS: EMPS allows consumers to remove themselves from US direct marketing email lists.
  • Relevance to Opt-Out: EMPS is a DMA's version of global opt-out lists.
  • Compliance Importance: Compliance with opt-out requests is essential for sender reputation and avoiding legal issues, as mandated by CAN-SPAM and GDPR.
  • Impact on Deliverability: Respecting opt-out requests and maintaining clean lists improves email deliverability.
  • Modern Email Practices: Email marketing emphasizes opt-in, segmentation, and engaged subscribers.
  • Holistic Compliance: True compliance requires preference respect across all platforms, beyond just an unsubscribe link.
  • Consumer Empowerment: Users must have control over their data and email preferences.

Key considerations

  • Evolving Relevance: While EMPS might be less directly used now, respecting subscriber preferences is paramount.
  • Legal Compliance: Adhering to opt-out requests is a legal requirement (CAN-SPAM, GDPR).
  • List Hygiene: Regularly clean lists by removing unsubscribed and inactive contacts.
  • Opt-in vs. Opt-out: Prioritize opt-in strategies for engaged subscribers.
  • Segmentation & Targeting: Send relevant content to targeted segments to improve performance and reduce spam.
  • Preference Management Systems: Implement systems that manage and respect subscriber preferences comprehensively.
  • Ethical Marketing: Prioritize ethical marketing by always honoring consumer choice.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

EMPS (Email Preference Service) is a service, managed by the Data & Marketing Association (DMA), designed to allow consumers in the United States to remove their email addresses from direct marketing email lists. While its direct relevance may have diminished over time, the underlying principles it represents – respecting opt-out requests, maintaining clean email lists, and prioritizing subscriber consent – remain critical for email marketing success. Compliance with opt-out requests, whether through eMPS or other mechanisms, is crucial for maintaining sender reputation, avoiding legal penalties, and ensuring high deliverability rates. Modern email marketing emphasizes opt-in strategies, list segmentation, and targeted content to engaged subscribers, furthering the importance of respecting recipient preferences and building trust.

Key opinions

  • Definition of EMPS: EMPS is an Email Preference Service enabling consumers to remove themselves from US-based marketing email lists.
  • Relevance to Opt-Out: eMPS is a DMA's version of global opt-out lists, although its direct relevance may have diminished.
  • Compliance Importance: Compliance with opt-out requests is essential for sender reputation and avoiding legal issues.
  • Impact on Deliverability: Respecting opt-out requests and maintaining clean lists improves email deliverability.
  • Modern Email Practices: Current email marketing emphasizes opt-in strategies, segmentation, and engaged subscribers.

Key considerations

  • Evolving Relevance: While eMPS might be less directly used now, the principles of respecting subscriber preferences remain paramount.
  • Legal Compliance: Adhering to opt-out requests is a legal requirement, regardless of the specific mechanism.
  • List Hygiene: Regularly cleaning email lists by removing unsubscribed and inactive contacts is crucial.
  • Opt-in vs. Opt-out: Prioritizing opt-in strategies builds trust and leads to more engaged subscribers.
  • Segmentation & Targeting: Sending relevant content to targeted segments improves email performance and reduces spam complaints.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that the only "opt out" list they know of with some relevance is the rtr list in Austria but that's only relevant if the marketer doesn't have consent in the first place.

January 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that eMPS is the *Email Preference Service* and allows you to remove your email from United States-based lists and provides a link to a faq page: <https://www.ims-dm.com/cgi/offemaillist.php>

August 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit comments that while specific opt-out lists like eMPS might have diminished in relevance, respecting all unsubscribe requests and maintaining a clean list is paramount. They emphasize that deliverability hinges on sending to engaged recipients.

June 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailVendorSelection.com shares that compliance with opt-out requests, whether through eMPS or other mechanisms, is crucial for maintaining sender reputation and avoiding legal penalties. Ignoring opt-out requests can lead to being blacklisted and facing fines.

January 2023 - EmailVendorSelection.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from an email marketing forum discusses the importance of using suppression lists, which contain email addresses of people who have opted out. While they don't explicitly mention eMPS, they highlight the need to remove these contacts from your mailing list to avoid legal issues and maintain a good sender reputation.

March 2025 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks responds that people who have unsubscribed have given some sign of life which makes them even more valuable for blanket lists sold to cold emailers.

September 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus highlights the significance of list segmentation and targeting engaged subscribers. They emphasize that sending relevant content to the right audience is crucial for improving email performance and avoiding spam complaints, which aligns with the goal of respecting recipient preferences as facilitated by services like eMPS.

August 2023 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from OptinMonster stresses the need for explicit consent and double opt-in for email marketing. This approach ensures that subscribers genuinely want to receive your emails and helps maintain a high-quality email list. While not mentioning eMPS, it showcases the broader focus on subscriber choice and email permissions.

July 2023 - OptinMonster
Marketer view

Email marketer from IMS-DM.com explains that eMPS, or Email Preference Service, allows consumers to remove their email address from United States-based direct marketing email lists. It is a service managed by the Data & Marketing Association (DMA) to help consumers manage their privacy preferences.

October 2021 - IMS-DM.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that maintaining a clean email list by removing unsubscribed or inactive contacts helps improve deliverability rates. This includes respecting opt-out requests and using tools or services to manage email preferences, indirectly relating to the function of eMPS.

January 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Sendinblue highlights the importance of opt-in email marketing and honoring unsubscribe requests. While not directly mentioning eMPS, it emphasizes that respecting recipient preferences is essential for building trust and improving email deliverability.

August 2023 - Sendinblue
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that eMPS is the DMA's version of the global opt-out list and access to the eMPS would be through the Direct Marketing Association.

February 2025 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Experts emphasize that while having an unsubscribe link is crucial, complete compliance with regulations requires respecting subscriber preferences across all lists and platforms, as highlighted by services like eMPS. Proper handling of subscriptions and unsubscriptions is critical to avoid abuse, maintain clean mailing lists, and honor consumer email preferences.

Key opinions

  • Unsubscribe Link Adequacy: Having an unsubscribe link alone does not guarantee email marketing compliance.
  • Importance of Subscriber Preferences: Respecting subscriber preferences across all lists and platforms is crucial for compliance.
  • Proper Handling of Subscriptions: Correct and prompt processing of opt-out requests prevents abuse and maintains clean lists.
  • Relevance of EMPS: eMPS highlights the significance of honoring consumer email preferences.

Key considerations

  • Holistic Compliance: Ensure compliance extends beyond basic unsubscribe links to cover all aspects of email marketing.
  • Preference Management: Implement systems that effectively manage and respect subscriber preferences.
  • Proactive List Management: Regularly review and update subscription and unsubscription processes to prevent abuse.
  • Consumer-Centric Approach: Prioritize honoring consumer email preferences to build trust and maintain a good reputation.
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource responds to the risk of list bombing and the importance of proper subscription and unsubscription handling. While they don't directly mention EMPS, the expert highlights how critical it is to process all opt-out requests correctly and promptly to prevent potential abuse and maintain a clean mailing list, which aligns with the goals of EMPS in honoring consumer email preferences.

December 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that one myth is that simply having an unsubscribe link guarantees compliance. While providing an opt-out is essential, services like eMPS, although dated, highlight the importance of respecting preferences across various lists and platforms, ensuring full compliance with regulations.

February 2022 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Governmental and organizational documentation emphasizes the importance of opt-out lists and respecting consumer preferences in email marketing. Preference services like eMPS help consumers reduce unwanted solicitations and align with responsible marketing principles, including respecting consumer privacy and providing data choices. The CAN-SPAM Act, GDPR, and NIST guidelines highlight the legal and ethical obligations of providing clear opt-out mechanisms, honoring requests promptly, and empowering users with control over their data.

Key findings

  • Role of Opt-Out Lists: Opt-out lists help consumers reduce unwanted marketing solicitations.
  • Legal Obligations: CAN-SPAM Act and GDPR mandate clear opt-out mechanisms and prompt honoring of requests.
  • Responsible Marketing: Responsible marketing includes respecting consumer privacy and providing data choices.
  • Data Control: Guidelines support user control and privacy through opt-out mechanisms.
  • Centralized Preference Management: eMPS aligns with principles by offering centralized management of email preferences.

Key considerations

  • Compliance with Laws: Ensure compliance with regulations like CAN-SPAM and GDPR.
  • Consumer Privacy: Prioritize consumer privacy and data protection in email marketing practices.
  • Transparency and Choice: Provide clear and easy-to-use opt-out mechanisms for consumers.
  • Data Governance: Implement data governance policies that respect consumer preferences.
  • Ethical Marketing: Adhere to ethical marketing principles by respecting consumer choices and preferences.
Technical article

Documentation from the DMA outlines principles of responsible marketing, including respecting consumer privacy and providing choices regarding data collection and usage. eMPS aligns with these principles by offering consumers a centralized way to manage their email preferences.

September 2021 - thedma.org
Technical article

Documentation from DMA Choice clarifies that preference services like email opt-out lists help consumers reduce unwanted marketing solicitations. While DMA Choice focuses on postal mail, the principle extends to email preference services like eMPS.

August 2021 - DMA Choice
Technical article

Documentation from GDPR explains that individuals have the right to object to the processing of their personal data for direct marketing purposes. Although GDPR is a European regulation, it underscores the global importance of honoring opt-out requests and providing consumers with control over their data.

March 2021 - GDPR
Technical article

Documentation from NIST outlines guidelines for digital identity management, including the importance of user control and privacy. eMPS and similar opt-out mechanisms support these guidelines by empowering users to manage their email preferences and protect their privacy.

April 2021 - NIST
Technical article

Documentation from FTC.gov explains the CAN-SPAM Act requirements, including providing a clear and conspicuous opt-out mechanism and honoring opt-out requests promptly. While not specifically referencing eMPS, it outlines the legal obligations related to email marketing and consumer choice.

September 2024 - FTC.gov