Single Opt In vs Double Opt In ?

[Vanquish]

I'm going to be setting up my first email campaign and am wondering whether my sign ups should be single or double and what are the pros and cons of each. Thanks

[Amitywill]

I pretty much always use double optin
for new subscribers. Saves the hassle
of spam complaints etc. Plus they are
better leads because they are taking the
time to go and open their email to confirm.

However if I am promoting my own
product to my list of non buyers then
when they purchase I will have them
sign up to my buyers list which will
be a single optin.

Will Cooper

[James Shutt]

I always use Confirmed opt in. If they don't do it they don't get my info.

"Confirmed opt in refers to a situation where someone fills out a web form, requesting information from you, then affirms their request to be on your list by clicking on a unique link emailed to their address. If they don't click on that link, their signup is not completed, and they receive nothing further from you.

In conversations with email marketers, we've found that many use the term "Double Opt-In" to refer to this situation. However, there are also other uses of this term that refer to less reputable email practices." REF-Aweber

[alleycatnews]

I use double opt in. The SERIOUS will double opt in. Also nothing says you can't sell the person on the thank you page with an offer say. you need to confirm etc.. But also take a look at this offer etc...

[annalaurabrown]

you use both.
It depends on the list. for my main marketing lists always double opt in but for confirmations for teleseminars and free ecourses single opt in.

[Mike Hill]

Here's how I use both single and double optin...

If I'm building a new list of subscribers then I always use the double optin feature.

If and when I am promoting something to my existing list that I'd like to specifically identify those interested and send them specific followup emails then I use single opt-in.

I only use the single opt-in to my existing list to gain a list of highly interested people from my existing list.

Mike Hill

[PatientZero]

Double opt-in. Single opt-in just isn't worth the hassle later on.

[DJ-Sound]

If you plan on using the list heavily (more than 1 email a week) do a double opt-in to be safe.

If you are just making a list (of customers, beta testers etc) I usually use single opt-in with a confirmation email! The confirmation email is important, it doesn't require them to confirm but reminds them that they did infact submit their email address to your list or bought a product from you, etc..

-Ryan

[Steven Fullman]

I've always used single.

But today I had a hissy-fit unsub which
has made me seriously reconsider...

Steve

[Loren Woirhaye]

I use single generally with few problems. If you get opt-ins and
don't make sure they know your name by emailing regularly you
can expect complaints when you start blasting pitches after
6 months of silence. We open email from those we know... so
make sure your subscribers know you. Single works fine for me
for what I do with email.

[dearaewi]

I have always went with the double opt-in. To me it really qualifies a subscriber if they take the time to do the extra step. My unsubscribe ratio is very low and it makes me feel more comfortable and confident that people are not going to say "spam".

Deanna

[dsmpublishing]

Ive always used double optin just to make sure that i dont get spam complaints plus it means that my delivery rate is rather good as with a single optin they could accidently spell their email address wrong.

[FreeMe.com]

Certainly you will get more "opt ins" when only using a single opt-in, however be prepared to pay the price.

I recently read a blog post by a very active marketer that "experimented" with single opt-ins. His built his list by over 60,000 opt-ins within 6 weeks... which is amazing. Unfortunately, the company that provided all of his back end software including his auto-responder, shut down his account because of too many spam complaints.

I share the story so you can make a well informed decision. Double opt-ins won't eliminate people marking your email as spam, but it will certainly reduce the number of complaints.

Good Luck!

[kckaz]

What have you noticed to be your % of confirms on double opt-in's? The squeeze page on one of my sites has a 30% response rate, but only 50% of the responders confirm. Is this bad, average, good?

[willyboy104]

Always used double opt in.

Percentage of confirms, just from my head is probably about 90% for one list, 80% for two others.

I think it depends the market your targetting a great deal too, if the market your targetting isn't too tech savvy they may not understand that they have to double opt in and for what reasons they have to do this. If this is your case, try re-writing your confirmation email.

[Kevin_R]

I go for double opt in, unless they have already bought from me and are on my list in the first place.

[ezine ads]

==>> Single Opt-in vs. Double Opt-in. A Real Controversy?

[Roy Carter]

I've always used double opt-in to ensure that I'm secure in case of any spam complaints but since talking to a number of top name marketers it has really surprised me how many use the single opt-in approach.

[JP Wilson]

Good article ezine ads. Much appreciated.

[dsmpublishing]

Ive used double opt-in for three years before that when i used single optin i used to get a few spam complaints and several bounces. The bounces often happen because sometimes people type their email address is wrong and you can end up contacting someone that doesnt even exist.

When i was looking at my records yesterday for one of my niches with a list of 1500 i had just 1 bounce and no complaints which is what you want.

Some people complain a lot on here saying that they have a low list as many dont confirm but those that do are great contacts to have on your list.

if you need any help setting up your responder here is a great free guide:

become a aweber expert and learn how to use aweber for all your autoresponder needs

I hope it goes well for you


sam
X

[LordXenu]

double opt will as has been mentioned leave you with a shorter list, but that list will be worth more to you in the end than the single opt. you know they're opening emails, and your delivery/open rates will be so much better. gives you a chance to remind them to make sure your email addy has been let through any spam filters they may have up too.