Introduction

Email pop-ups are one of the most effective tools for growing your subscriber list. But in the age of data privacy, using them correctly is crucial. A non-compliant pop-up can not only damage customer trust but also put you at risk of violating regulations like the GDPR.

The short answer is: to be GDPR-compliant, your email pop-up must get clear, unambiguous, and freely given consent from the user before you add them to your marketing list.

This guide provides a simple 3-point checklist to ensure your email pop-ups are fully compliant, helping you grow your list without compromising on privacy.

Why GDPR Applies to Your Email Pop-ups

The GDPR protects the personal data of individuals in the European Union. An email address is considered personal data. If you have any website visitors from the EU (and you almost certainly do), you must get their explicit consent before sending them marketing communications. The old methods of "soft" opt-ins are no longer enough.

The 3-Point GDPR Compliance Checklist

Review your email pop-ups against these three simple points:

1. Is the Consent Action Unambiguous?

   
   

   • The user must take a clear, affirmative action to consent. This means they must physically type their email address and click a button that clearly says "Subscribe," "Sign Up," or something similar.

     
     

   • Compliance Fail: A pre-checked box that says "Yes, sign me up for marketing emails" is not compliant. The user must check the box themselves.