Understand consent status and confirmation records

Consent means that a contact has agreed to receive your emails. The contact profile shows both the consent method and whether MailGraf has a record of a confirmation link being clicked. These are separate pieces of information and neither is the same as verifying the email address.

Two methods

• Single opt-in: the person completed a form or was added with your permission declaration. MailGraf has no separate record of a confirmation link being clicked.
• Double opt-in: the person clicked the confirmation link in an email sent to them. MailGraf stores the time and the IP address of that click.

MailGraf records contacts added with your permission declaration as single opt-in. A double opt-in record is created only when the contact clicks the confirmation link sent to them.

Confirmation recorded, no confirmation record

The Consent status tile on the profile shows one of two results:

• Confirmation recorded: the contact completed double opt-in. MailGraf has recorded when the confirmation link was clicked and the IP address used.
• No confirmation record: MailGraf holds no record of a confirmation link being clicked. That does not mean the contact has no permission. The Source row in the right-hand column shows how they were added: Added individually, Copy & paste, CSV import, Copied from list, API or Form.

Where to find the record

The Subscription and consent section in the right-hand column shows the consent method, confirmation status, source and date added. Click View consent details to open the full record. It includes the Consent method, Recorded on date and, when available, the Confirmed time and IP address.

For contacts who joined through a form, the record may also include Consent proof. This shows the signup page and the text the contact agreed to. Download consent record downloads the consent record with the rest of the contact's data. To see consent-related activity over time, use the Consent filter on the Activity tab.

How a confirmation record is created

A double opt-in record is created when the contact clicks a confirmation link. The link can reach them in two ways:

• With a double opt-in signup form, the person completes the form and then clicks the link in their email.
• For an unsubscribed or bounced contact, you can create a re-confirmation link. On Lists > Block list, open the contact's row menu and click Create re-confirmation link. Share the single-use link through your own channel. You can set it to expire after 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days. Re-confirmation links are not available for addresses with a spam complaint.

Consent is not verification

Email verification checks whether an address is valid and can receive email. You can run the check from Data quality on the profile by clicking Check address. Consent is the person's decision to receive your emails. A verified address does not mean that its owner has given permission.