Single vs double opt-in, which should you use?
The difference between single and double opt-in, the pros and cons of each, and why double opt-in is usually the smarter choice for your email list.
When someone signs up to your list, there are two ways to handle it. Knowing the difference helps you grow a list that actually performs.
Single opt-in
The person enters their email and they’re immediately on your list. One step, done.
- 👍 Faster growth, no extra step, so fewer drop-offs.
- 👎 Lower quality, typos, fake addresses, and bots all get in. More bounces and spam complaints down the line.
Double opt-in
The person enters their email, then gets a quick “please confirm” email and clicks to confirm before joining.
- 👍 Higher quality, every address is real and every person genuinely wants in.
- 👍 Better inbox placement, engaged lists land in the inbox, not spam.
- 👍 Proof of consent, important for laws like GDPR.
- 👎 Slightly slower growth, a few people won’t click to confirm.
Which should you use?
For almost everyone, double opt-in wins. Here’s the counterintuitive truth: the people who don’t bother confirming are exactly the ones who’d never open your emails anyway. Filtering them out improves your results.
A smaller list of confirmed, interested people will:
- Open and click more.
- Bounce and complain less.
- Keep your sender reputation strong, so all your emails reach the inbox.
That’s why TinyCourier’s signup forms use double opt-in by default. Learn more in What is double opt-in.
The exception
If you’re importing people you already collected and have permission for, they don’t need to confirm again, you’ve already got consent. Double opt-in is specifically for new signups through your forms.