Mailchimp Opt-In settings – Check yours now.

By The IT Fairy on 31 October , 2017

Did you read the email from Mailchimp about the changes to its Opt-In settings?

I have to admit that I initially missed this all important email from Mailchimp; good job I went back through all the newsletters from them and read how things are going to change.

Instead of having a default of double opt-in, MailChimp has decided to switch to single opt-in for all accounts.

So from 1 November 2017, MailChimp won’t send a verification email (called double opt-in) to your new contacts anymore, unless you login and tell it to. I’m actually a little annoyed about this. I’d be less annoyed if it was just for new lists and/or accounts. But this change impacts on all users.

It’s not difficult to re-enable it; it really is the work of minutes

This verification email (called double opt-in) can be turned back in a few simple steps.

To set the opt-in preferences for your lists, log into MailChimp and navigate into your settings.

Why do you need double opt-in?

It’s necessary in the EU as proof of consent; Brexit isn’t a reason for UK businesses not to do it.
In Canada and Australia, for example, email marketers must collect permission from the owner of an email address before sending any communication.
Even if your business is located somewhere where single opt-in is permitted, if the person lives somewhere where double-opt in is required then you can’t use single for them!

The simplest way to make sure you don’t fall foul of local laws is to use double-opt in for everyone. Again, I’m surprised that Mailchimp have made this change. They have a global reach and you’d hope they think about the international implications on their customers.

You can read their own blog about it here – scroll down to the bit with the headline “Choose your opt-in method”

Update from Mailchimp

If you’re located in the EU, then Mailchimp has now realised that we need double opt-in!

“…we’ve made an important change for MailChimp users located in the European Union: If your primary contact address is in the EU, your existing forms will remain double opt-in.”