How do I add an unsubscribe link to my emails?

Having an unsubscribe option in your emails is a standard practice, which promotes good communication ethics and complies with most international spam laws.

This guide will help you understand how to use these tags in your emails.

Understanding Unsubscribe Liquid Tags

Liquid tags are simple code snippets used in many email editors for loading dynamic content. Our platform provides two specific Liquid tags, {{ unsubscribe_link }} and {{ unsubscribe_url }}, which generate unique unsubscribe links for your emails. These tags function differently and can be chosen based on the specific requirements of your message.

{{ unsubscribe_link }}

This tag generates the complete unsubscribe link for you, including the necessary URL and the display text, which defaults to "unsubscribe". It should be placed anywhere in your email where you want the default unsubscribe link to appear.

Example:

<p>If you wish to stop receiving these emails, please {{ unsubscribe_link }}</p>

This will render in the email as:

<p>If you wish to stop receiving these emails, please <a href="generated_unsubscribe_url">unsubscribe</a></p>

{{ unsubscribe_url }}

This tag only generates the URL for unsubscribing and should be used in cases where you want to customize the text of the link. It can be placed within the href attribute of an <a> tag in your HTML code.

Using the {{ unsubscribe_link }} Tag

Follow the steps below to use the {{ unsubscribe_link }} tag:

1. Draft your email: Begin by drafting the content of your email as you would usually do.
2. Decide on link placement: Choose where in the content you want the unsubscribe link to be inserted, typically at the end of the email.
3. Insert the tag: In the chosen position, type {{ unsubscribe_link }}.

That's it! The platform will automatically replace the tag with a complete, untracked unsubscribe link labelled as "unsubscribe".

Using the {{ unsubscribe_url }} Tag

Using the {{ unsubscribe_url }} tag involves the following steps:

1. Draft your email: Start by creating your email content.
2. Decide on link placement: Decide where you want to position your custom unsubscribe link.
3. Create an anchor tag: In the chosen spot, write an HTML anchor (<a>) tag.
4. Insert the tag in the href attribute: In the href attribute of your <a> tag, type {{ unsubscribe_url }}.
5. Add custom display text: Type your preferred text between the opening and closing <a> tags.

Here's an example:

<a href="{{ unsubscribe_url }}">Click here if you no longer wish to receive these emails</a>

When the email is sent, the {{ unsubscribe_url }} tag will be replaced with the actual unsubscribe URL, leaving your custom text intact.

Guidelines for Unsubscribe Links

Here are a few best practices to consider when inserting unsubscribe links:

1. Visibility: Ensure the unsubscribe link is visible and easy to find. Hiding it or making it hard to find can lead to frustration and spam reports.
2. Simplicity: Keep the language simple and clear. Users should immediately understand that by clicking.

Common Questions

What is the difference between the {{ unsubscribe_link }} and {{ unsubscribe_url }} tags?

The {{ unsubscribe_link }} tag generates a complete unsubscribe link, including the URL and the default display text, "unsubscribe". On the other hand, the {{ unsubscribe_url }} tag only generates the URL for the unsubscribe link. This allows you to customize the display text of your unsubscribe link.

Can I customize the text of my unsubscribe link?

Yes, you can customize the text of your unsubscribe link by using the {{ unsubscribe_url }} tag. You can insert this tag into the href attribute of an anchor <a> tag and add your custom text between the opening and closing <a> tags.

Where should I place the unsubscribe link in my email?

The unsubscribe link should be placed in a clear and visible location in your email, typically at the end of the email. This ensures the link is easy to find for anyone wishing to opt-out of future emails.

Why isn't the {{ unsubscribe_link }} or {{ unsubscribe_url }} tag working in my email?

If your unsubscribe tags are not working, ensure you have correctly placed them in your email. The {{ unsubscribe_link }} tag can be placed anywhere in the text of your email, while the {{ unsubscribe_url }} tag must be placed within the href attribute of an anchor <a> tag. If the problem persists, please contact our support team.

Is it mandatory to include an unsubscribe link in my emails?

Yes, it is mandatory to include an unsubscribe link in your emails according to international spam laws. This allows recipients to opt-out of receiving future emails from you.

What happens when a recipient clicks on the unsubscribe link?

When a recipient clicks on the unsubscribe link, they will be removed from your email distribution list and will no longer receive future emails from you. Learn how you can setup subscription types.

How can I ensure that the unsubscribe link is untracked?

Both the {{ unsubscribe_link }} and {{ unsubscribe_url }} are untracked by default, so you don't need to add anything to the tag to ensure this.

Does the unsubscribe link expire after a certain period of time?

Typically, unsubscribe links do not expire. Once a user clicks the unsubscribe link, they will be permanently removed from your email distribution list until they opt back in.

Can I customize the page that users are directed to after they click the unsubscribe link?

Yes, you can customize the page that users are directed to after they click the unsubscribe link. This is typically referred to as a subscription preferences page. On this page, customers can manage their consent to different types of communications from your brand rather than just opting out of all communications.

When a user clicks the unsubscribe link, they will be directed to this subscription preferences page. Here, they will see all the subscription types your brand offers. These might include newsletters, product updates, promotions, event invitations, etc.

For more detailed information on setting up and managing subscription types, please refer to Setting up subscription types.

Can a user re-subscribe after clicking the unsubscribe link? If yes, how?

Yes, a user can re-subscribe after clicking the unsubscribe link. A link to resubscribe will appear on the unsubscription confirmation page. They can also do this by visiting your website or platform and opting in to your emails again.

What is the best practice for positioning the unsubscribe link in my email?

The best practice is to position the unsubscribe link at the end of your email, ensuring it's easily visible. The language around the link should be clear so that users understand its purpose.