MailPoet is a WordPress plugin for email marketing directly integrated into the WordPress admin, popular with bloggers, small e-commerce operators, and WooCommerce merchants who want to send newsletters without leaving the WordPress dashboard. The unsubscribe mechanism uses the [link]unsubscribe[/link] shortcode auto-injected into every campaign footer. MailPoet handles RFC 8058 one-click compliance automatically when using MailPoet Sending Service (MSS); custom SMTP configurations require manual header injection at the SMTP relay level. This guide covers the tag, the sending method options, and how to verify the setup end to end.
Mailpoet (WordPress) unsubscribe link
| Tag syntax | [link]unsubscribe[/link] |
| Placement | Auto-embedded in every campaign footer |
| Scope | Per-list opt-out with WordPress user profile integration |
| Config path | MailPoet > Settings > Basics > Sending method |
| RFC 8058 one-click | Automatic via MailPoet Sending Service, manual for custom SMTP |
How to add the unsubscribe tag in Mailpoet (WordPress)
Place the merge tag exactly as shown below in the email template. Mailpoet (WordPress) replaces it at send time with a signed URL scoped to the recipient and campaign.
[link]unsubscribe[/link]For custom HTML templates, wrap the tag in an anchor to render a proper hyperlink in the delivered email:
<a href="[link]unsubscribe[/link]">Unsubscribe from this list</a>Auto-embedded in every campaign footer
Automatic via MailPoet Sending Service, manual for custom SMTP The recipient's mailbox provider (Gmail, Yahoo) uses the List-Unsubscribe-Post header to expose the native one-click button on the message. Requires domain authentication with DKIM and DMARC.
MailPoet sends via MailPoet Sending Service (MSS) automatically inject RFC 8058 headers, but custom SMTP configurations (Amazon SES, SendGrid, custom relay) require header injection at the relay level. Configure your SMTP relay Configuration Set for List-Unsubscribe headers, or use MSS for turnkey compliance. WooCommerce integration syncs opt-outs to the customer record when the toggle is enabled.
Testing your Mailpoet (WordPress) unsubscribe link
- Send a test message to a controlled Gmail address you own via the Mailpoet (WordPress) campaign preview action
- Click the footer unsubscribe link and confirm the opt-out on the landing page
- Check the subscriber or contact record: the status should be Unsubscribed within seconds
- Verify the RFC 8058 headers in Gmail: open the message, click three dots, then Show original. Look for
List-UnsubscribeandList-Unsubscribe-Post: List-Unsubscribe=One-Click
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How to add the MailPoet unsubscribe link (step by step)
MailPoet newsletters include the unsubscribe link in the default footer automatically, but custom newsletter templates may require the tag inserted manually.
- Open your MailPoet newsletter in the WordPress admin under MailPoet > Emails.
- Add or edit a text block in the footer where the unsubscribe link should appear.
- Insert the shortcode
[link]unsubscribe[/link]. MailPoet replaces it at send time with a signed URL scoped to the subscriber. - Wrap in an anchor if needed: the default rendering already produces a clickable link, but custom labels can be applied via the block editor link options.
- Configure the sending method under MailPoet > Settings > Basics > Sending method. MailPoet Sending Service (MSS) is turnkey; custom SMTP requires additional configuration for RFC 8058.
- Send a test to a seed address and verify the rendered link routes to the MailPoet-hosted unsubscribe confirmation page.
Per-list opt-out and WordPress user integration
MailPoet organizes subscribers into lists at the WordPress site level. An unsubscribe click removes the subscriber from the specific list associated with the newsletter, preserving membership on other lists. WordPress user profiles link to MailPoet subscribers when the user email matches, giving unified consent tracking across the WordPress admin. WooCommerce customers appear as MailPoet subscribers automatically when the integration is enabled, with opt-out state syncing to the WooCommerce customer record.
RFC 8058 via MailPoet Sending Service or custom SMTP
MailPoet sends via MailPoet Sending Service (MSS) automatically inject RFC 8058 headers on marketing sends from authenticated domains, satisfying the Google and Yahoo bulk-sender requirements without custom configuration. Sites using a custom SMTP relay (Amazon SES, SendGrid, Mailgun, or a self-hosted relay) must configure the relay Configuration Set for List-Unsubscribe headers. For most sites, switching to MSS is the simplest path to one-click compliance, especially for stores below 25,000 emails per month where MSS is included at low cost.
WooCommerce integration and abandoned cart
MailPoet WooCommerce integration syncs customer records automatically and enables abandoned cart, order confirmation, and post-purchase follow-up emails from the WordPress admin. Opt-out state syncs to the WooCommerce customer record when the integration is enabled, keeping consent consistent across email and the e-commerce back office. Abandoned cart triggers respect the opt-out flag; a customer who unsubscribed from marketing does not receive cart recovery emails, only transactional order confirmations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MailPoet unsubscribe shortcode?
The shortcode is [link]unsubscribe[/link]. MailPoet replaces it at send time with a signed URL scoped to the subscriber. The default footer includes it automatically; custom templates need it inserted in a text block.
Does MailPoet support one-click unsubscribe for Gmail and Yahoo?
Automatically when using MailPoet Sending Service (MSS). Custom SMTP configurations (Amazon SES, SendGrid, Mailgun) require manual header injection at the relay Configuration Set level. For most sites, switching to MSS is the simplest path to one-click compliance.
Does MailPoet sync opt-outs to WooCommerce?
Yes when the WooCommerce integration is enabled. Opt-out state syncs to the WooCommerce customer record, keeping email consent consistent across MailPoet and the e-commerce back office. Abandoned cart triggers respect the marketing opt-out flag.
Can WordPress admins bypass MailPoet unsubscribes?
Only for transactional emails (order confirmations, password resets) which are exempt from CAN-SPAM unsubscribe requirements. Marketing emails cannot bypass opt-outs even with WordPress admin privileges; the unsubscribed status blocks the send at MailPoet queue level.
Can I resubscribe a MailPoet subscriber via CSV re-import?
No. MailPoet preserves the unsubscribed status across CSV re-imports to comply with CAN-SPAM. Previously unsubscribed contacts stay opted out even after re-upload. To re-subscribe, request explicit new consent via a signup form.
About the Author
Alaa · LinkedIn
Email infrastructure specialist with 8+ years of hands-on experience in SMTP, deliverability, and email verification. I’ve configured and troubleshot mail systems across Postfix, Exchange, and cloud relays, managed IP reputation and warmup campaigns, and built verification pipelines processing millions of addresses. My work spans DNS authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, BIMI), bounce handling, blocklist monitoring, and compliance frameworks including CAN-SPAM and GDPR. I write every article on SMTPedia to give email professionals, developers, and marketers the accurate, RFC-grounded reference they need.
About SMTPedia
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