Double versus Single opt-in? Pain or gain?

Hi Michael,

If you use the search function in the forum, you'll find a lot
of good arguments for using either single or double opt-in.

By using double opt-in, you'll obviously end up with a smaller
list as you're asking visitors to take one additional step.

So yes, double opt-in does hurt visitor-to-subscriber opt-in
conversion rates.

However, you also end up with a list of subscribers who
have valid e-mail addresses and have shown a higher level
of interest by going through the extra confirmation step.

With single opt-in, you'll end up with a bigger list, but it
will also contain more dumb e-mail addresses, e.g. mis-spellings,
false e-mails (e.g. billgates @ microsoft . com), malicious entries,
etc. This can lead to more bounces and lower deliverability as
well as higher spam complaints.

In fact, most single opt-in lists are delivered from servers that
have a lower deliverability level. In contrast, e-mails sent from
double opt-in lists are usually sent from a different server that
has a higher deliverability rate.

I know this is the case for companies such as AWeber and
Infusionsoft.

Personally, I favor using double opt-in because it future proofs
my list just in case double opt-in subscription becomes mandatory
in future.

Remember, that your list is an asset that you'll build over time
so it's important to protect it now - and long into the future.

Plus, I sleep well at night knowing that I've got a fully trackable
subscription path and I can prove that each subscriber has
confirmed their own e-mail address (even if they can't remember
doing so).

This is invaluable when contesting spam complaints. With double
opt-in, I've got a leg to stand on.

At the end of the day, it's a personal choice.

Some people prefer to make hay whilst the sun shines and go
with single opt-in so they get more sales today. I think that
that route is not very wise long-term.

Dedicated to your success,

Shaun

I'd stick with double opt-in.

I'd rather have a smaller list of people who actually want to receive information from me rather than a huge list of people that may not have as much of an interest.

The answer, in my case, to your three questions is Yes, Yes, Yes

Now I use double only - better to loose a few, than be slapped and compromise the biggest asset in my business. Anyway when people confirm you know they really have some interest in your offer - or they wouldn't confirm

While, I'd naturally think that double optin might hurt conversations slightly since it gives the user more time to actually consider it as well they might miss the initial email sent out or it might appear in their inbox.

However I also think that double optin is a lot saver. I mean I wouldn't want to risk being reported for spam and having my internet connection terminated so I usually prefer to go with double optin.

I guess it has its pros and cons it all boils down to what you think it best for you. Do you want to take the risk to gain a little more conversations?

I always go for double opt ins to make sure the person has given a valid email address and wants to be added to the list. I do however use single opt ins for my membership site where someone has paid to be a member.

Double opt in is always the best because it prevent your subs entering fake email addresses.

Cheers!

After building an email list of close to 100k, ALL my tests have shown that I make more money with single optin.

The points made above about it being safer to use single optin may be true, but if you're setting the right expectations when people join your list you won't have any problems.

I send multiple emails on a daily basis to my single opt in list and my complaint % is very low.

Just so you know, people complain just as much with double opt in as they do with single. You'll still get the same comments such as: Why am I getting emails from you? etc...

The numbers don't lie either.

Let's say you just spend $100 on PPC at 10 cents per click which got you 1000 visitors to your website.

You got a 20% conversion so you got 200 subscribers.

With single opt in 150 to 180 of those email addresses are actually valid, so 150 to 180 people get your email.

With double opt in and the same 150 to 180 valid email addresses the same amount of people get your verification email.

Here's where the numbers get funny.

Out of those 150 to 180 people only 60% will click on the verification link. So on the high end you'll get a little over 100 people on your list.

While on the other hand with single opt in you'll have over 150 people on your list.

The double opt in argument would make sense if the people that didn't click on your verification link didn't do so because they weren't interested, but you know that's not the case.

They wouldn't have opted in the first place if they were not interested.

I recently had a subscriber that was on my list for 2 years, buy a $997 service from me. But he had never bought anything from me before.

He even admitted that he hadn't been opening my emails for months.

So would this person have even clicked on the verification email? Maybe, maybe not.

So in essence you're making your prospect jump through extra hoops to protect yourself supposedly while allowing them to change their mind, be lazy, or have internet A.D.D.

My test have proven that I make 43% more within 7 days when I use single optin.

Most huge companies use single optin unless you're subscribing for a membership.

We're all here to give are opinions and make suggestions, so I'm not gonna tell you to go test it yourself.

I'm going to say USE single optin, set the right expectations, and mail your subscribers consistently with valuable information, and you'll make more money.

And remember, if you're spending money on advertising or spending hours promoting your sites, ask yourself would you rather make 20% to 40% more money, or would you rather "feel" like you're protecting yourself by using double opt in?

The choice is ultimately yours to make. But I can tell you this, after sending out over 1000 emails through my autoresponders ( Aweber, Getresponse) using single optin, my bank account certainly notices the difference.

Hi,

It really depends on the niche which means how savvy is your audience. You probably won't want them to look for confirmation email then click on the link then to read whatever you present to them.

However, some niches I agree with fellow warrior that you may need double opt in to prevent spam. But the decision is still up to you.

Double Opt-in would be the best. It's better that you have a short list of correct email addresses who actually are interested of whatever product or services you are offering than those who give out fake emails or get incorrect ones.

and the clear winner is....being more confused and finding your own answer

Thanks for the tips

I usually use single. Never had any problems. My content is
not obnoxious or spammy.

In simple: you can get less opt ins with a double opt in strategy, but the quality of those leads will be much better!

In my opinion the only benefit on double opt-in is to protect you from malicious attacks. Some people like to do things like get an antispam email list or people who they know will report you and submit them all to your list. Double opt-in protects you. If the site is micro-niche i wouldn't bother with double opt=in, but on anything high profile its a good idea

You will never get a true answer to this question. I have fought the fight for single opt in long enough here to realize ... it's not a fight worth fighting .

Some say double is safer ... prove it . I have very few spam complaints . The few I do have is in the IM niche . The other niches are not a problem whatsoever.

Some say it is like the law or something . Again show the proof . There has to be a reasonable course of escape . No mention of subscription preference is even mentioned .

Read it

The CAN-SPAM Act: A Compliance Guide for Business

I been using single optin for years and never has a problem.

So it basically up to you and it was mentioned a couple of times

to just test and see what works for you.

I use single opt-in. Why make it harder for people to sign up if you dont have to?

Another vote here for single optin, here's why:

1) In our tests we've noticed that even with any fake addresses, we made more money off single optin lists than double. It's simply numbers, more traffic. Those people opted in for a reason, which leads me to point 2...

2) What is the reason they opted in? Is your content spammy or is it providing value? A double optin lead is not a stronger lead simply because they checked their email right away. It all comes down to the content, the incentive.

3) Why would you put up more barriers in front of the sales process?

4) We found this in our early tests; many times the confirmation email, even from a company such as Aweber, ends up in the junk folder.

5) At the end of the day, those that were going to hit the spam button or unsubscribe, would have done it regardless of if they confirmed or not.

As IMarketers, we need to get out of the box sometimes. Most people don't check their email as religiously as us, and aren't nearly as savvy as us.

i have an idea to solve this problem....it might be stupid in your view....well what i am thinking is to create a single opt-in and bring the subscribers without fear of loosing by the confirmation.....then in the autoresponder or future emails ask your subs to confirm (may be through another squeeze) their subscriptions inorder to avoid spamming .....what will its benifit infact...well in this way one will be able to manage 2 separate campaigns with some extra potentials of trust....then it depends whether you are going to filter the list or not........
I think i might failed to deliver my message properly but hope a few of you understand what i am thinking right now

I use single and have not had any problems. I've consulted a niche blogger who is regarded as an industry expert and his double opt-in had nearly a 100% verification rate.
Why? Because people in his niche want to hear what he has to say.

Some thoughts:
1. Are you providing value or just blasting spammy messages to your list? If the latter is true for you, it doesn't matter which you do...you'll still get complaints.
2. Are you communicating clearly what a prospect should expect from you?
3. In a month a triple-verified lead could decide that you are a spammer and complain, so my vote is provide value, make money and stay single...