Can you tell me what double opt in is exactly and why does everyone keep telling me I need that? I have a small newsletter and once someone asks for it I add them. I do not ask again. Can anyone explain please? Thanks

Double opt-in simply means that you don't send emails to people who have not

1) explicitly given you their email address when subscribing to your content.

2) having been sent a confirmation email and having confirmed their email address (this is to avoid someone else submitted their email address)

Following these two steps seriously reduces the risk your company could be accused of being a spammer.

Thanks for the info, Bring It On.

I've definitely seen examples of that when subscribing to something, or wanting to keep informed by a site.

I didn't realize there was a term for it.

What is a pain with that is that some emails block sites they deem as sending mass mail. Even signing up for forums, I sometimes don't get the emails because my ISP blocks them.

Double opt in means, that when you get a user who clicks to subscribe to your mass email or newsletter or whatever, you then send an email asking them to confirm they wish to subscribe before adding them to your list.

That way you can be sure that they personally really want your item, and will automatically mark you as a 'safe' email so the items don't then go straight to junk mail.

Double opt in sounds like the way to go, are there any drawbacks to using it?