How to handle unsubscribe requests in cold outreach?

Handling unsubscribe requests properly is both legally required and operationally essential.

Process immediately: Don't wait for the legal maximum (10 days under most laws). Same-day processing is best practice. Automated systems should handle this instantly.

Suppression list: Add unsubscribed addresses to a master suppression list. This list must persist permanently and be checked before any send.

Cross-campaign honoring: An unsubscribe from one campaign applies to all outreach. Don't email them from different sequences or domains.

Never re-add: Even if the same address appears in a new data source or list, suppression takes precedence. The person opted out.

Confirmation: Consider sending a brief confirmation that their request was processed. This reassures recipients and creates a record.

Document everything: Log when requests arrived, when they were processed, and maintain audit trail. If challenged, you need proof of compliance.

Tool configuration: Ensure your cold email platform automatically stops sequences when unsubscribe is received and syncs suppression across all sending.