What is a permission-based list?
A permission-based list is a list of contacts that is entirely comprised of addresses that agreed to receive marketing emails specifically from you. The following lists are not considered permission-based:
- lists that you borrowed
- lists that you bought
- lists that are shared publicly in online and/or offline directories (even if they are published in view of being used for mailings)
- lists built via co-registration
Third party lists, even if comprised of your friends, family, or your social media contacts, are not considered permission-based. Even if you had a pre-existing business relationship with these contacts, it does not mean you have their mailing permission – it has to be directly expressed via an online/offline signup.
Mailing permission is considered fully valid if no more than 6-12 months have passed since it was provided, and it can be proven with sign-up IP and opt-in date in case of online subscriptions, or a subscription sheet/signature if the permission was provided offline.
How do I know if my list is permission-based?
Before you start sending emails, it is necessary to make sure that you have explicit mailing permission from your contacts, and you uphold appropriate e-mail marketing practices. This will keep your account in good standing and boost your mailing metrics. It will also have a positive influence on your inbox placement, and on the GetResponse platform’s deliverability as a whole.
Below are five questions to consider if you’re not sure about the quality of your list.
- Do you have explicit permission to email your contacts?
- Is your unsubscribe link easily accessible and not obscured with empty lines or filler text?
- Did you email the people on your list within the last 6 months?
- Did you remove all invalid, bounced or unsubscribed addresses?
If you answered “Yes” to these questions, and if you email the contacts on your list regularly, you can go ahead and upload your list.
Note: our security system will always check your list for bounces and invalid/undesirable addresses. Not all your contacts might make it into the account, and your list might still be rejected. In case of the latter, you will receive a notification in your account as well as your login e-mail inbox, and the reason for the file’s rejection will be displayed in your Imports panel.
Make sure to review your list and take the necessary steps to confirm it is permission-based before you import it to your account. It is not allowed to ask contacts for permission with the use of the platform.
If you have any questions about your list and its quality, go ahead and reach out to our Compliance Team.
