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Email complianceReviewed September 7, 2026

What is List-Unsubscribe header?

List-Unsubscribe is a mailing-list message header describing how to remove a user from the list, commonly with a mailto or web URL.

Who this applies to#

  • List-Unsubscribe applies to mailing-list messages and their removal instructions

What List-Unsubscribe header requires#

  • Use RFC 8058 evidence when claiming modern one-click behavior; an arbitrary unsubscribe URL alone does not establish RFC 8058 compliance

What this does not require#

  • RFC 2369 makes these headers optional at the protocol level, subject to provider requirements

Common mistakes#

  1. Calling every unsubscribe URL one-click compliant
  2. Treating protocol optionality as overriding mailbox-provider rules

List-Unsubscribe header checklist#

  • Describe the header accurately
  • Distinguish mailto and HTTPS flows
  • Check recipient-provider requirements

Commonly confused with#

OnVoard's take#

Keep the general list header and RFC 8058 one-click behavior as 2 related but distinct contracts.

Official sources#