---
title: "Unsubscribe & opt-out handling | FirstSales"
description: "How FirstSales adds an unsubscribe link to every email, tracks opt-outs, and marks unsubscribed contacts so you stay compliant."
canonical: "https://firstsales.io/tutorial/unsubscribe-and-compliance/"
---

[Home](/)/[Tutorials](/tutorial/)/Unsubscribe & opt-out handling

Deliverability

# Unsubscribe & opt-out handling

How FirstSales adds an unsubscribe link to every email, tracks opt-outs, and marks unsubscribed contacts so you stay compliant.

6 min read·Intermediate·6 steps

1. 1  
## Compliance in one line  
Every FirstSales email carries an **unsubscribe link** automatically, opt-outs are tracked as an event, and unsubscribed contacts are marked so they stop receiving your sequence. You don't build any of this by hand.
2. 2  
## See the unsubscribe link in the preview  
Open a campaign's template or preview step. The preview card footer states the send will include an unsubscribe link (and your signature, if you have one) — _“Sent emails will also include an unsubscribe link.”_ You never add this manually.  
![See the unsubscribe link in the preview](/tutorials/unsubscribe-01-preview.webp)
3. 3  
## Why the link protects deliverability  
A working one-click opt-out reduces spam complaints, and spam complaints are what actually burn a domain's reputation. Keeping the link on is a deliverability lever, not just a legal checkbox.
4. 4  
## Set up your tracking domain so opt-outs are tracked  
**Unsubscribed** is one of the events tracked through your tracking (CNAME) domain, alongside delivered, opened, and clicked. Set up your tracking domain first so opt-out events are attributed correctly.
5. 5  
## Find unsubscribed contacts  
In the **Inbox**, **Unsubscribed** is its own status. Contacts marked this way are separated from active conversations and won't receive further sequence steps.
6. 6  
## Respect opt-outs automatically  
Once a contact unsubscribes, their sequence stops automatically. Pair this with stop-on-reply/opt-out settings so a free-text “please remove me” reply is handled the same way as a link click.

## Pro tips

Hard-won shortcuts that keep warm-up on track.

1

### Don't add your own unsubscribe footer

The link is added for you. Pasting your own on top gives every email two unsubscribe links, which looks broken and hurts trust.

2

### Set up tracking first

Without a tracking domain configured, opt-out and engagement events aren't attributed to your own domain.

3

### Treat Unsubscribed as a hard stop

Never re-import an unsubscribed contact into a fresh list to "try again." The status exists to keep them out permanently.

4

### Cover both channels

Pair the automatic unsubscribe link with stop-on-reply/opt-out handling so both a link click and a free-text "remove me" reply are respected.

## Frequently asked questions

Does FirstSales add an unsubscribe link automatically?

Yes — every sent email includes one. You can see this stated directly in the campaign step preview.

Do I need to write my own unsubscribe footer?

No. Adding your own on top would duplicate it. The platform appends the link (and your signature) to each send.

Where do I see who unsubscribed?

In the **Inbox** — **Unsubscribed** is a dedicated status, and those contacts are held out of active sequences.

Is there a custom-branded unsubscribe page or a suppression-list upload?

Not today. FirstSales handles opt-outs via the automatic link and the unsubscribed status — there's no separate suppression-list UI or custom unsubscribe-page builder to configure.

How are opt-outs tracked?

As a tracked event on your tracking (CNAME) domain, alongside delivered, opened, and clicked.

What happens to a contact after they unsubscribe?

Their sequence stops and they're marked unsubscribed — they won't receive further steps unless they re-subscribe.

## Ready to put this into practice?

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