What is double opt-in?

How it works

1. A visitor enters their email in your signup form.
2. They receive an email asking them to confirm.
3. They click the link, and only then are they on your list.

Single opt-in skips step two: the address is added immediately, whether or not it is real or belongs to the person who typed it.

Why it is worth the extra step

• Cleaner lists. Typos and fake addresses never get in, so fewer of your emails bounce.
• Better deliverability. Mail providers trust senders whose recipients wanted the mail.
• Proof of consent. You can show that each subscriber confirmed. Many privacy guides recommend it for audiences in Europe.
• No abuse. Nobody can sign someone else up to your list.

The cost is that some people never click the confirmation. Those are usually people who would not have read your emails anyway.

On makerhandle

The subscribe box on makerhandle always uses double opt-in. Only confirmed addresses count toward your list and the free plan's limit of 100. Every email has an unsubscribe link, and you can export confirmed subscribers as CSV any time. Read grow a newsletter from your link in bio.