CAN-SPAM

A U.S. law that sets rules for commercial email. Designed to protect consumers from misleading, deceptive, or unsolicited emails, CAN-SPAM applies to any electronic message the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a product or service. Unlike some international laws, such as the GDPR or CASL, CAN-SPAM does not require prior consent; instead, it provides recipients with the right to opt out of future messages.

Passed by Congress and signed into law in December 2003, the CAN-SPAM Act is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Violations can result in penalties of up to $51,744 per email, making compliance crucial for any organization utilizing email marketing in the United States.

What Types of Messages Are Covered?

CAN-SPAM covers commercial messages, emails whose primary purpose is to advertise or promote a commercial product or service. It also includes emails that promote content on commercial websites. The law does not apply to transactional or relationship messages, such as order confirmations, account updates, or warranty information, as long as these messages don’t contain misleading content or promotional offers that alter their purpose to be commercial.

Key Requirements of the CAN-SPAM Act

• Don’t use false or misleading header information: The From, To, and Reply-To fields—along with the originating domain name and email address—must be accurate and identify the person or business who initiated the message.
• Don’t use deceptive subject lines: Your subject line must accurately reflect the content of the email. It cannot trick recipients into opening the email under false pretenses.
• Identify the message as an ad: The law requires that commercial emails be clearly identified as advertisements or solicitations. While there’s no prescribed way to do this, the disclosure must be clear and conspicuous.
• Include your valid physical postal address: Every email must include the sender’s valid physical postal address, which can be a current street address, a post office box registered with the U.S. Postal Service, or a private mailbox.
• Tell recipients how to opt out of receiving future emails: You must provide a clear and conspicuous explanation of how recipients can opt out of future mailings. This could be as simple as a link or instructions at the bottom of the email.
• Honor opt-out requests promptly: You must process opt-out requests within 10 business days and maintain the capability to honor that request for at least 30 days after the email is sent. Once someone has opted out, you cannot sell or transfer their email address, except as needed to comply with legal obligations.
• Monitor what others are doing on your behalf: Even if you hire a third-party vendor to manage your email marketing, you are still legally responsible for ensuring compliance with CAN-SPAM. You should contractually require vendors to comply with and regularly audit their practices.

Common Misconceptions

• Opt-in is not required under CAN-SPAM, although it is a best practice and a requirement under other international laws, such as GDPR and CASL.
• Transactional messages are exempt, provided they are not disguised as vehicles for advertising.
• You don’t need to register or file your campaigns with the FTC, but you must comply with the outlined rules for each commercial email you send.

Why Compliance Matters

Failure to comply with CAN-SPAM can result in steep penalties—not only for the sender but also for agencies, affiliates, and marketing partners who are complicit in violations. In 2023, the FTC and Department of Justice continued enforcement actions against companies sending deceptive emails, reinforcing that the law remains actively monitored.

For ethical marketers, CAN-SPAM compliance is not just about avoiding fines; it’s about upholding the highest standards of integrity. It’s a baseline for building trust, reputation, and deliverability. ISPs and email services often use compliance as a factor in spam filtering, meaning better adherence can help your emails land in inboxes, not junk folders.

Best Practices Beyond the Law

While CAN-SPAM is relatively permissive compared to other international regulations, adhering to stricter global standards can improve results and ensure you’re future-proof:

• Use confirmed opt-in or double opt-in to ensure email addresses are accurate and permission is explicit.
• Avoid purchasing or renting email lists.
• Regularly clean your email list to remove inactive or bounced addresses.
• Provide preference centers so users can manage their subscriptions rather than opt out entirely.

The CAN-SPAM Act established a foundational framework for email marketing in the U.S. It emphasizes transparency, respect for user preferences, and accountability in digital communications. While the law doesn’t prohibit sending unsolicited emails, it mandates that senders offer recipients control and operate with honesty and clarity. Email marketers who follow the CAN-SPAM Act not only avoid regulatory trouble but also establish credibility with subscribers, fostering better engagement, a stronger reputation, and long-term ROI.