Glossary
Contact Management

Email Opt-In

By: Alec Hollingsworth
Updated:  
July 2, 2025

Definition:

Email opt-in is when an individual gives explicit permission to receive emails from your organization, ensuring legal compliance and engaged communication.
Email opt-in is the explicit permission given by an individual to receive email communications from an organization, typically by submitting their email address through a form or checkbox. This process ensures that recipients are aware they are subscribing to messages, such as newsletters, event invitations, or updates. Email opt-in practices are essential for complying with privacy laws and regulations, such as CAN-SPAM and GDPR, which require clear consent before sending marketing or informational emails. Organizations must provide an easy way for contacts to opt-in and also to opt-out at any time, maintaining transparency and trust. Proper email opt-in management helps nonprofits maintain a healthy sender reputation, avoid spam complaints, and foster engaged supporter relationships.

Key Takeaways

  • Email opt-in ensures legal compliance and trust.
  • It improves engagement by reaching willing recipients.
  • Keela tracks opt-in status for accurate contact management.

Why It Matters

Email opt-in is crucial for legal compliance, audience engagement, and maintaining trust with your nonprofit's supporters.

Real World Example

A small animal shelter wants to keep supporters informed about upcoming adoption events and fundraising campaigns. At their booth during a community fair, they display a sign-up sheet for visitors to enter their email addresses if they wish to receive updates. Each person who signs up is considered to have opted in. The shelter then enters these emails into Keela, marking their opt-in status. Later, when sending a newsletter, only those contacts with confirmed opt-in status receive the email, ensuring compliance and a more engaged audience.

How Keela Helps

Within Keela, you can track and manage email opt-in status for your contacts, ensuring you only send emails to those who have granted consent. Keela's contact management tools make it simple to record and update opt-in preferences, helping you stay compliant with privacy regulations and build strong supporter relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an email opt-in?

An email opt-in is when someone gives explicit permission to receive emails from your organization by signing up or checking a consent box.

Why is email opt-in important for nonprofits?

It ensures your communications are legally compliant and only reach supporters who wish to hear from you, improving engagement and trust.

How does Keela help manage email opt-ins?

Keela tracks each contact's opt-in status, making it easy to send emails only to those who have provided consent, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Can supporters change their email preferences in Keela?

Yes, supporters can update their preferences or opt out, and Keela will automatically update their status in your contact list.

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