Managing Default Unsubscribe Links in Stack Email
Stay compliant with email regulations and enhance your contacts' experience by managing default unsubscribe links in Stack Email. This guide will help you understand how to use Stack's default unsubscribe link settings and manually place the link using a tag.
Table of Contents
- What is an Unsubscribe Link?
- Why Include an Unsubscribe Link (Legal Compliance)
- How to Enable/Disable the Default Unsubscribe Link
- How to Manually Add the Unsubscribe Link
- What Happens If You Use Both Default and Manual Unsubscribe Links?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Unsubscribe Link?
An unsubscribe link gives your contacts the option to stop receiving future emails from your business. This is a legal requirement under email compliance laws such as the CAN-SPAM Act and GDPR. Stack Email helps you comply by automatically including an unsubscribe link in your email footers unless you choose to disable it.
Why Include an Unsubscribe Link (Legal Compliance)
Including unsubscribe links is not just a best practice; it's a legal necessity under various international regulations. Ignoring this requirement can result in significant financial penalties.
- CAN-SPAM Act (U.S.): Requires all commercial emails to provide a clear unsubscribe option.
- GDPR (EU): Mandates that subscribers can request the deletion of their personal data, known as the "Right to Erasure."
By including an unsubscribe link, you:
- Respect user consent
- Comply with local and international laws
- Protect your business from legal issues
- Build trust by giving recipients control over communications
- Maintain a clean, engaged contact list
How to Enable/Disable the Default Unsubscribe Link
Stack includes an unsubscribe link in all emails by default. However, you can choose to disable it if you prefer to add your own link manually.
- Navigate to Subaccount Settings → Business Profile.
- Scroll down to the General Tab.
- Customize the unsubscribe link by toggling “Include Unsubscribe Link” ON or OFF.
Note: If you disable the default unsubscribe link, you must manually include the unsubscribe tag {{unsubscribe}} in each email to remain compliant.
How to Manually Add the Unsubscribe Link
For full control over the placement or format of the unsubscribe link, you can manually insert it using a built-in tag.
- Open the Stack Email Builder (found in conversations, campaigns, or email templates under the Marketing Tab).
- Place your cursor where you want the link to appear and type or paste
{{unsubscribe}}.
Note: When the email is sent, the {{unsubscribe}} tag will automatically convert into a clickable link that allows the contact to opt out.
What Happens If You Use Both Default and Manual Unsubscribe Links?
Using more than one unsubscribe link in an email can confuse recipients and affect your branding.
- Default Unsubscribe Link: Automatically added to the footer when enabled.
- Manual Unsubscribe Tag (
{{unsubscribe}}): Inserted directly into your email templates.
Best Practice
To avoid clutter and confusion, use only one method per email:
- For precise control over placement and appearance, insert the
{{unsubscribe}}tag manually and disable the default footer link. - If you are satisfied with the link in the footer, rely on the default setting and skip the manual tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is an unsubscribe link required in every email?
Yes. It is legally required. Either the default footer or the {{unsubscribe}} tag must be present in all Stack Email messages.
Q: Can I change what the unsubscribe link says?
You can’t edit the default label from the {{unsubscribe}} tag, but you can customize the message around it or build a branded unsubscribe page.
Q: What if I remove the default and forget to add a manual tag?
Your email will send without an unsubscribe link, violating email compliance policies, which could result in the suspension of your sending ability.
Q: Will unsubscribe links work for both campaigns and manual emails?
Yes. Both types of emails support the unsubscribe feature, whether added manually or via the global setting.
Q: Can I track who unsubscribed?
Yes. You can view unsubscribed contacts in your contact list by filtering for the "Unsubscribed" status.