How to track preference updates?

Track preference updates by logging what changed, when it changed, and how it changed. Store this data in your CRM or ESP as timestamped records tied to the subscriber profile.

Capture the previous state and new state for each field. If someone changes from daily to weekly emails, log both values along with the date. This creates an audit trail for compliance and troubleshooting.

Track the source of the change. Did it come from the preference center, an email link, a support request, or an API call? Knowing the origin helps identify patterns and technical issues.

Use preference update data to monitor trends. If many subscribers are opting down from daily emails, it signals fatigue. If a specific topic sees frequent opt outs, the content might not be resonating.

Most ESPs store preference history automatically. For custom implementations, create a preference log table in your database with fields for subscriber ID, field name, old value, new value, timestamp, and source.

Preference logs are the ship's ledger. They record every course correction and prove you're honoring the subscriber's chosen route.