CiviCRM User Guide Update: Understanding Unsubscribe vs. Opt Out

[roshanikothari]

Understanding Unsubscribe vs. Opt Out in CiviCRM
https://docs.civicrm.org/user/en/latest/email/mass-mailings-using-civimail/

You can provide several options for users to unsubscribe from your email lists.

Option 1: Manage Your Preferences
If you have several different email lists, you can provide users the options to select which lists they want to unsubscribe from.

Option 2: Unsubscribe from a specific Email List
You can give users the option to unsubscribe from that specific Email List (Group). There are some things to keep in mind if you go with this option. If someone Unsubscribes from this specific Email List, they could still get another bulk email if that is a different Email List (Group). Even though the user thinks they unsubscribed from receiving Bulk Emails from your organization, they have just unsubscribed from that specific Email List (Group). Another disadvantage is that they will no longer be included in the Group. For example, if you have a Group for Major Donors that you are using as a Mailing List, they will no longer be in that Group.

Option 3: Opt Out from Bulk Emails
Often users think that they are unsubscribing, they will not get any more bulk emails from your organization. However, in CiviCRM, unsubscribe actually means opt out. You can give people the option to either go to the Manage Your Preferences page or you can give people the option to Opt Out from all your bulk emails. Here's an example. If you have an email newsletter list, and someone unsubscribes from the list, they may still get a bulk email from your organization if you create a Smart Group that is a mailing list based on zip code/postal code. This Group is based on search, so it's not necessarily a list you may want to list on your Manage Your Preferences page. In this case, you may want to link the Unsubscribe link to Opt Out page, but call it "Unsubscribe." Here's the code to use. {action.optOutUrl} In the CiviCRM backend, under Communications Preferences, when someone Opts Out, this box will be checked 'NO BULK EMAILS (User Opt Out) Email Format.'

[homotechsual]

@roshanikothari how does this look in the docs currently? Does this issue need some attention in a PR?