---
title: "What does opt-out mean in email? – Invenitor"
description: "An opt-out is a person's request to stop hearing from you. Here is what the US CAN-SPAM Act requires, and how to handle one no matter where you are."
url: https://invenitor.com/glossary/opt-out
agents: https://invenitor.com/llms.txt
mcp: https://api.invenitor.com/mcp
---

[Home](https://invenitor.com/)/[Glossary](https://invenitor.com/glossary)/Opt-out

Glossary

# What does opt-out mean in email?

An opt-out is a person telling you to stop contacting them, and you should honour it every time, across every tool you use.

By Invenitor team. Updated 2026-11-01.

## What does the law say?

In the US, the FTC says commercial email must tell people how to opt out and that you must honour requests within 10 business days ([FTC guide](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business)). Other countries have their own rules. See [the rules guide](https://invenitor.com/guides/rules-for-contacting-strangers-in-india).

## How do you keep track?

Keep one do-not-contact list that you own, and check it before you write to anyone. Take it with you when you change tools.

## Guides on this

- [Rules for contacting strangers for work in India and abroad](https://invenitor.com/guides/rules-for-contacting-strangers-in-india)
- [How to remove your details from people search sites](https://invenitor.com/guides/remove-your-details-from-people-search)

## Related terms

- [Spam rate](https://invenitor.com/glossary/spam-rate)
- [Data fiduciary](https://invenitor.com/glossary/data-fiduciary)

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