Free tool
CAN-SPAM compliance checker
CAN-SPAM lets you send cold commercial email in the US without prior consent, as long as the From line and subject are honest, the email includes a postal address and a working way to opt out, and you honor opt-outs within 10 business days. Paste your email to check the parts you control.
Checks
A checklist, not legal advice. It covers US CAN-SPAM only and can't see your list or intent.
The seven CAN-SPAM requirements, in plain words
- Honest headers. The From name, From address and reply-to must identify you or your company.
- An honest subject. It must reflect what's in the email. A fake "Re:" on a first email is the classic violation.
- Say it's an ad, where it is one. Commercial messages must be identifiable as such. A plain, honest pitch that says what you sell usually covers this.
- A postal address. A street address, a PO box or a registered mailbox. Put it in your signature.
- A clear opt-out. A link or a sentence explaining how to stop further emails, working for at least 30 days.
- Honor opt-outs fast. Within 10 business days, with no fee and no login.
- Watch your vendors. If an agency or tool sends for you, you're both responsible.
Legal is the floor, not the goal. An email can pass every check here and still be ignored or reported. The outreach email checker looks at what editors object to, and our guide to cold email law covers GDPR and CASL in more depth. Sending from a properly authenticated domain matters too, so walk through the deliverability guide before your first campaign.
Questions people ask
What are the CAN-SPAM requirements?
For commercial email sent to US recipients: no false or misleading header information, no deceptive subject lines, identify the message as an ad where that applies, include a valid physical postal address, tell people how to opt out, honor opt-outs within 10 business days, and stay responsible for anyone who sends on your behalf.
Does CAN-SPAM apply to link building outreach?
It applies to any email whose primary purpose is commercial, meaning it promotes a product or service. A pitch asking a blogger to list your product can count. CAN-SPAM doesn't require prior consent, so cold email is allowed in the US, but the rules above apply. Many outreach teams follow them on every email to be safe.
Is cold email legal outside the US?
Rules differ. The EU and UK lean on GDPR and PECR, which generally allow business-to-business email with a legitimate interest, a clear opt-out and a privacy notice. Canada's CASL is stricter and often requires consent. This checker covers CAN-SPAM only, so check local rules for the countries you send to.
Does my opt-out have to be an unsubscribe link?
No. CAN-SPAM requires a clear way to opt out that works for at least 30 days after you send. In one-to-one outreach a plain sentence such as "Reply 'no thanks' and I won't email again" is common, as long as you actually stop. Don't charge a fee or ask for more than an email address to opt out.
Is this legal advice?
No. It's a checklist that looks for the parts of CAN-SPAM you can see in the email itself. It can't judge your intent or your list, and the law has details it doesn't cover. Ask a lawyer if you're unsure, especially for large campaigns or sends outside the US.
Related
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See where your next links could come from.
Paste your URL. The agent finds lists, comparison pages, resource pages and guides where your product fits, checks each site and finds the editor to contact. Free, no card.
