What Is a One-click Unsubscribe Header?

To review a technical answer to that question, see RFC8058.

In simpler terms, unsubscribing from an email list sometimes takes several steps, including clicking an unsubscribe link, opening a separate web page, then finally confirming the choice to unsubscribe. A one-click unsubscribe header streamlines the process. When a recipient clicks the provided unsubscribe link/button of an email, they're immediately removed from the mailing list.

With Google and Yahoo both implementing new sender requirements in 2024, the one-click list-unsubscribe is now a necessity!

Per Google: "You shouldn't have to jump through hoops to stop receiving unwanted messages from a particular email sender. It should take one click."

So, to stay compliant, it's now imperative to include the one-click unsubscribe option for your email recipients if you use Gmail and/or Yahoo! Mail to send messages, newsletters, marketing campaigns, etc.

Plus, for users, one-click functionality for list-unsubscribe is convenient and easy. It spares them the requirement of providing additional confirmation on a landing page. Instead, the unsubscribe decision is made with one simple click.

What Is Required for One-click Unsubscribe to Work?

There are some requirements (per RFC8058) that need to be met for your one-click unsubscribe option to function correctly. To ensure it avoids failing, it MUST:

• Pass our List-Unsubscribe Header Present MxTip test (part of Delivery Center)
• Be configured properly
• Contain the necessary key/value pair ("List-Unsubscribe=One-Click")
• Have a valid DKIM-signature

Taking these steps will benefit your recipients and improve your sender reputation. For assistance with your one-click unsubscribe setup, please contact the MxToolbox Support team.