Introduction

Email marketing is a powerful tool for any business, but it comes with a crucial set of rules. The CAN-SPAM Act is a U.S. law that sets the standards for commercial email, and failing to comply can result in significant penalties for your business.

The short answer is: the CAN-SPAM Act requires you to be honest in your messaging, transparent about who you are, and provide a clear way for users to opt out of future emails.

This guide will break down the seven core requirements of the CAN-SPAM Act to ensure your email marketing campaigns are fully compliant.

The 7 Core Requirements of CAN-SPAM

Every single marketing email you send must comply with these seven rules:

1. Don't Use False or Misleading Header Information: Your "From," "To," and "Reply-To" fields must be accurate and identify the person or business who initiated the message.

   
   

2. Don't Use Deceptive Subject Lines: The subject line must accurately reflect the content of the message. You can't have a subject line that says "Your Recent Order" if the email is purely a sales promotion.

   
   

3. Identify the Message as an Ad: The law requires you to clearly and conspicuously disclose that your message is an advertisement.

   
   

4. Tell Recipients Where You're Located: Your message must include your valid physical postal address. This can be your current street address, a post office box you've registered, or a private mailbox you've registered with a commercial mail receiving agency.