{"Status":true,"Message":"","Response":{"post":{"postuid":"840b886c-fe8e-40b0-889c-98d536bcd7e7","tenantuid":"d8b744fc-2e70-4089-bb80-dd1d08f6c7b2","projectuid":"239698c5-f7eb-4574-8cc8-c6568f08b3a0","title":"CAN-SPAM Compliance Guide","slug":"article/can-spam-compliance-guide","html":"\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-103\u0022\u003ECAN-SPAM Act\u003C/a\u003E (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography And Marketing Act) is a federal law enacted in 2003 that sets the rules for commercial email messages. It applies to any electronic message whose primary purpose is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a product or service \u2014 including email that promotes content on a commercial website.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EViolations carry penalties of up to \u003Cb\u003E$51,744 per email\u003C/b\u003E, with no maximum cap. Both the company whose product is promoted and the company that sends the message can be held liable. Understanding and complying with CAN-SPAM is not optional \u2014 it is a legal requirement for any business sending commercial email in the United States.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis guide covers the core requirements of the CAN-SPAM Act, how DailyStory helps you stay compliant, and the specific steps your team should follow to avoid violations. For a broader overview of email marketing regulations including CAN-SPAM, CASL, and GDPR, see our blog post on \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.dailystory.com/blog/6-ways-to-comply-with-email-marketing-laws/\u0022\u003Eemail marketing compliance\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022who_canspam_applies_to\u0022\u003EWho CAN-SPAM applies to\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECAN-SPAM applies to all commercial electronic messages sent to recipients in the United States, regardless of where the sender is located. This includes:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPromotional emails for products or services\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMarketing newsletters\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEvent invitations with a commercial purpose\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEmails promoting content on a commercial website\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBusiness-to-business (B2B) commercial emails\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA common misconception is that CAN-SPAM only applies to bulk email. It does not. Even a single commercial email to a single recipient must comply with the law.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022warning\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003EWarning\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECAN-SPAM does not require prior consent to send commercial email. However, it does require that every message include a functioning unsubscribe mechanism and that opt-out requests are honored within 10 business days. Many states and international laws (such as GDPR and CASL) have stricter consent requirements that may also apply to your email program.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022commercial_vs_transactional_email\u0022\u003ECommercial vs. transactional email\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECAN-SPAM distinguishes between two types of email: commercial and transactional. The classification determines which rules apply.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022commercial_email\u0022\u003ECommercial email\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn email is classified as commercial if its primary purpose is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service. All CAN-SPAM requirements apply to commercial email.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022transactional_or_relationship_email\u0022\u003ETransactional or relationship email\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn email is classified as transactional if its primary purpose is to:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFacilitate or confirm a transaction the recipient already agreed to\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EProvide warranty, recall, safety, or security information about a product or service\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENotify the recipient of a change in terms, features, or account information\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EProvide information about an ongoing commercial relationship (e.g., account statements, subscription updates)\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDeliver goods or services as part of a transaction the recipient already agreed to (including product updates and upgrades)\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETransactional emails are exempt from most CAN-SPAM requirements. However, they \u003Cb\u003Emust not\u003C/b\u003E contain false or misleading routing information (From name, reply-to address, originating domain).\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022mixedcontent_email\u0022\u003EMixed-content email\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome emails contain both commercial and transactional content. In these cases, the FTC applies a \u0022primary purpose\u0022 test. If the subject line would lead a recipient to believe the message is commercial, or if the transactional content does not appear at the beginning of the message body, the email is classified as commercial and all CAN-SPAM rules apply.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022recommended\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003ERecommended\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen sending emails that contain both transactional and promotional content, place the transactional content first and ensure the subject line reflects the transactional purpose. When in doubt, treat the email as commercial and apply all CAN-SPAM requirements.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022the_seven_requirements_of_canspam\u0022\u003EThe seven requirements of CAN-SPAM\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business\u0022\u003EFTC\u2019s official compliance guide\u003C/a\u003E outlines seven core requirements that every commercial email must meet.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u00221_do_not_use_false_or_misleading_header_information\u0022\u003E1. Do not use false or misleading header information\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u0022From,\u0022 \u0022To,\u0022 \u0022Reply-To,\u0022 and routing information in your email \u2014 including the originating domain name and email address \u2014 must be accurate and identify the person or business that initiated the message.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn DailyStory, your sender information is configured through \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/t8bs4i2mva-manage-senders\u0022\u003EManage Senders\u003C/a\u003E. Each sender profile includes a From name, From email address, and Reply-To address. Ensure these accurately represent your organization.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022warning\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003EWarning\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing a deceptive sender name or spoofing a domain you do not own is a direct CAN-SPAM violation. DailyStory requires domain authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for all sending domains, which helps prevent unauthorized use of your domain and ensures accurate routing information. For more on how authentication affects inbox placement, see \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.dailystory.com/blog/mastering-email-deliverability-10-tips-to-ensure-your-emails-land-in-inboxes/\u0022\u003Emastering email deliverability\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u00222_do_not_use_deceptive_subject_lines\u0022\u003E2. Do not use deceptive subject lines\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe subject line must accurately reflect the content of the message. A subject line that says \u0022Your account has been updated\u0022 for a promotional email is misleading and violates CAN-SPAM.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis requirement is straightforward but frequently violated \u2014 especially with clickbait-style subject lines or subject lines that imply urgency unrelated to the email content.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u00223_identify_the_message_as_an_advertisement\u0022\u003E3. Identify the message as an advertisement\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECAN-SPAM requires that commercial email be identifiable as an advertisement. The law gives senders flexibility in how to do this \u2014 there is no specific language or placement required. However, the disclosure must be \u0022clear and conspicuous.\u0022\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost businesses satisfy this requirement through a combination of branded templates, footer disclosures, and clear promotional context in the email body. If your email is obviously promotional in nature (e.g., a product launch announcement from your brand), the context itself may satisfy this requirement.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u00224_include_your_physical_postal_address\u0022\u003E4. Include your physical postal address\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEvery commercial email must include a valid physical postal address of the sender. This can be:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA current street address\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA post office box registered with the U.S. Postal Service\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA private mailbox registered with a commercial mail receiving agency (per USPS regulations)\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn DailyStory, your physical address is configured in your \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/bwjzlj4g62-account-defaults\u0022\u003Eaccount defaults\u003C/a\u003E under the Brand Kit settings. This address is automatically included in the footer of every email sent through the platform using the \u003Ccode\u003E{address}\u003C/code\u003E merge tag.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022recommended\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003ERecommended\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReview your Brand Kit settings in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ccode\u003ESettings\u003C/code\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026gt;\u0026nbsp;\u003Ccode\u003EBrand Kit\u003C/code\u003E\u0026nbsp;to confirm your physical address is current. If your company moves or changes its mailing address, update this immediately \u2014 every email sent with an outdated address is technically non-compliant.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u00225_provide_a_clear_unsubscribe_mechanism\u0022\u003E5. Provide a clear unsubscribe mechanism\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEvery commercial email must include a clear and conspicuous explanation of how the recipient can opt out of receiving future commercial email from you. The opt-out mechanism must meet two criteria:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt must be easy to recognize, read, and understand \u2014 a return email address or a clearly labeled unsubscribe link both qualify\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt must be functional \u2014 capable of receiving and processing opt-out requests for at least 30 days after the message is sent\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDailyStory automatically includes an unsubscribe link in the footer of every commercial email. The unsubscribe page is configured in your \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/bwjzlj4g62-account-defaults\u0022\u003Eaccount defaults\u003C/a\u003E and can be customized to match your brand. When a recipient clicks unsubscribe, DailyStory immediately processes the opt-out and suppresses future commercial sends to that contact.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can also use the \u003Ccode\u003E{unsubscribe}\u003C/code\u003E merge tag to place the unsubscribe link anywhere in your email template if you prefer a different placement than the default footer.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u00226_honor_optout_requests_within_10_business_days\u0022\u003E6. Honor opt-out requests within 10 business days\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce a recipient requests to opt out, you must stop sending them commercial email within 10 business days. You cannot:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECharge a fee for processing the opt-out\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERequire the recipient to provide any information beyond their email address\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERequire the recipient to visit more than a single page to complete the opt-out (beyond a confirmation page)\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETransfer or sell the email address to another party after the opt-out (except to a compliance vendor processing the request on your behalf)\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDailyStory processes unsubscribe requests immediately upon receipt. Once a contact unsubscribes, they are automatically excluded from future commercial email sends. The platform\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/wiri8tg34r-email-sending-guardrails\u0022\u003Eemail sending guardrails\u003C/a\u003E enforce this suppression across all campaigns and automations.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022recommended\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003ERecommended\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDailyStory handles opt-out processing automatically and in real time \u2014 well within the 10-day window required by CAN-SPAM. However, if you also send email through other platforms or manual systems, you must ensure those systems also honor the opt-out. CAN-SPAM compliance applies to your entire email program, not just individual platforms.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u00227_monitor_what_others_do_on_your_behalf\u0022\u003E7. Monitor what others do on your behalf\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you hire another company to handle your email marketing, you cannot contract away your legal responsibility. Both the company whose product is promoted and the company that physically sends the message can be held legally responsible for CAN-SPAM violations.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis applies to agencies, contractors, affiliate marketers, and any third party sending email on your behalf. You are responsible for ensuring that anyone sending commercial email promoting your products or services complies with CAN-SPAM.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022how_dailystory_enforces_compliance\u0022\u003EHow DailyStory enforces compliance\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDailyStory includes several built-in features that help enforce CAN-SPAM compliance across your email program.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022automatic_unsubscribe_handling\u0022\u003EAutomatic unsubscribe handling\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEvery email sent through DailyStory includes a functioning unsubscribe mechanism. When a recipient opts out, the contact record is immediately updated and all future commercial sends are suppressed. This is handled at the platform level and cannot be overridden by individual campaign settings.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022physical_address_enforcement\u0022\u003EPhysical address enforcement\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDailyStory requires a valid physical address in your \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/bwjzlj4g62-account-defaults\u0022\u003Eaccount defaults\u003C/a\u003E. This address is automatically inserted into email footers using the \u003Ccode\u003E{address}\u003C/code\u003E merge tag. If no address is configured, the merge tag will render empty \u2014 so it is critical to verify this setting before launching any campaign.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022sender_authentication\u0022\u003ESender authentication\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDailyStory requires proper domain authentication (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC) for all sending domains configured through \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/t8bs4i2mva-manage-senders\u0022\u003EManage Senders\u003C/a\u003E. This authentication ensures that your From address accurately represents your organization and that your emails are not flagged as spoofed or fraudulent by receiving mail servers.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022email_sending_guardrails\u0022\u003EEmail sending guardrails\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDailyStory\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/wiri8tg34r-email-sending-guardrails\u0022\u003Eemail sending guardrails\u003C/a\u003E provide an additional layer of compliance protection. These guardrails include suppression of unsubscribed contacts, bounce management, complaint handling, and frequency controls that prevent individual contacts from receiving an excessive volume of commercial email.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022contact_suppression_and_hygiene\u0022\u003EContact suppression and hygiene\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDailyStory maintains suppression lists for contacts who have unsubscribed, bounced, or filed spam complaints. These suppression lists are enforced across all campaigns and automations \u2014 ensuring that a contact who opts out of one campaign is automatically excluded from all future commercial sends. For guidance on keeping your lists clean and reducing compliance risk, see our guide to \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.dailystory.com/blog/email-list-cleaning-the-complete-guide-to-boost-deliverability-and-engagement/\u0022\u003Eemail list cleaning\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022common_canspam_violations_to_avoid\u0022\u003ECommon CAN-SPAM violations to avoid\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven well-intentioned email programs can inadvertently violate CAN-SPAM. The FTC has published \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2023/08/when-sending-commercial-email-businesses-cant-unsubscribe-can-spam-compliance\u0022\u003Eguidance reinforcing that businesses cannot \u0022unsubscribe\u0022 from their own compliance obligations\u003C/a\u003E, and recent enforcement actions show the agency is actively pursuing violations. These are the most common mistakes:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022prechecked_optin_boxes\u0022\u003EPre-checked opt-in boxes\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile CAN-SPAM does not require opt-in consent, pre-checked boxes that subscribe users to email lists are a gray area. They do not violate CAN-SPAM directly, but they generate high complaint rates, damage sender reputation, and may violate state-level privacy laws. Best practice is to use explicit opt-in.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022ignoring_unsubscribe_requests_from_nonstandard_channels\u0022\u003EIgnoring unsubscribe requests from non-standard channels\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf a recipient replies to your email asking to be removed, that constitutes an opt-out request under CAN-SPAM \u2014 even if it was not submitted through your formal unsubscribe mechanism. Monitor your reply-to addresses and process these requests manually if needed.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022purchased_or_rented_email_lists\u0022\u003EPurchased or rented email lists\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESending commercial email to purchased or rented lists is not explicitly prohibited by CAN-SPAM, but it is extremely high-risk. These lists often contain outdated addresses, spam traps, and recipients who have never consented to hearing from you. The resulting spam complaints and bounces can damage your sending reputation and trigger enforcement action.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022important\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003EImportant\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPurchased email lists are one of the fastest ways to destroy your sender reputation and trigger CAN-SPAM enforcement. DailyStory\u0027s sending guardrails will flag unusual bounce and complaint rates that often result from list purchases. If your team is considering buying a list, the risks almost always outweigh the benefits.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022failing_to_update_the_physical_address\u0022\u003EFailing to update the physical address\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECompanies that move offices or change mailing addresses frequently forget to update their email footer. Every email sent with an invalid physical address is a CAN-SPAM violation \u2014 and at $51,744 per email, this oversight can become extremely expensive for high-volume senders.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022sending_from_a_noreply_address\u0022\u003ESending from a no-reply address\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile CAN-SPAM does not explicitly prohibit no-reply addresses, using one can create compliance issues. If recipients cannot reply to opt out and the unsubscribe link is broken or missing, you have no functional opt-out mechanism \u2014 which is a direct violation. Use a monitored reply-to address whenever possible.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022affiliate_and_partner_emails\u0022\u003EAffiliate and partner emails\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf an affiliate or partner sends commercial email promoting your product, you share legal responsibility for that email\u0027s CAN-SPAM compliance. Ensure that any agreements with affiliates or partners include explicit CAN-SPAM compliance requirements and that you have visibility into the emails being sent on your behalf.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022canspam_and_international_email_laws\u0022\u003ECAN-SPAM and international email laws\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECAN-SPAM applies to commercial email sent to U.S. recipients. However, if your email program reaches international recipients, you may also need to comply with:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECASL (Canada):\u003C/b\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/canada-anti-spam-legislation/en/canadas-anti-spam-legislation\u0022\u003ECanada\u0027s Anti-Spam Legislation\u003C/a\u003E requires express or implied consent before sending commercial email. It is significantly stricter than CAN-SPAM, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/com500/guide.htm\u0022\u003ECRTC\u0027s guidance on implied consent\u003C/a\u003E outlines specific rules around when consent expires and how it must be obtained. Penalties can reach $10 million CAD per violation.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGDPR (European Union):\u003C/b\u003E The General Data Protection Regulation requires explicit consent for marketing communications and gives recipients the right to access, correct, and delete their personal data. Penalties can reach 4% of annual global revenue. For a detailed look at how GDPR affects email senders, see our \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.dailystory.com/blog/gdpr-and-email-marketing-a-comprehensive-guide/\u0022\u003EGDPR and email marketing guide\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPECR (United Kingdom):\u003C/b\u003E The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations require consent for marketing email to individuals and carry fines up to \u00A3500,000.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you send email internationally, your compliance program must account for the strictest applicable law. In practice, this means building your email program around explicit opt-in consent, even though CAN-SPAM itself does not require it. Our blog post on \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.dailystory.com/blog/email-data-privacy-best-practices-how-to-build-trust-with-email-subscribers/\u0022\u003Eemail data privacy best practices\u003C/a\u003E covers how to build subscriber trust through transparent consent and data handling.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022recommended\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003ERecommended\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBuilding your email program around explicit opt-in consent \u2014 rather than the minimum CAN-SPAM requirement \u2014 ensures compliance across jurisdictions and results in a healthier, more engaged subscriber list. DailyStory supports double opt-in workflows and consent tracking to help you meet these higher standards.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022enforcement_and_penalties\u0022\u003EEnforcement and penalties\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECAN-SPAM is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), along with state attorneys general and internet service providers (ISPs) who can bring civil actions. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/can-spam-rule\u0022\u003ECAN-SPAM Rule (16 CFR Part 316)\u003C/a\u003E provides the detailed regulatory framework. Key enforcement details:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPenalties:\u003C/b\u003E Up to $51,744 per individual email that violates the Act (adjusted periodically for inflation)\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo cap:\u003C/b\u003E There is no maximum total penalty. A campaign sent to 100,000 recipients could theoretically generate liability exceeding $5 billion\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECriminal penalties:\u003C/b\u003E Aggravated violations \u2014 such as harvesting email addresses, using dictionary attacks to generate addresses, or sending through unauthorized relay servers \u2014 can result in criminal prosecution, fines, and imprisonment\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJoint liability:\u003C/b\u003E Both the sender and the company whose product is promoted share liability. You cannot avoid responsibility by outsourcing email delivery to a third party\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERecent enforcement actions include the FTC\u0027s $2.95 million settlement with Verkada in 2024 \u2014 one of the largest CAN-SPAM penalties on record \u2014 for sending commercial emails without an unsubscribe mechanism and using deceptive sender information. The FTC has also indicated that it is using AI-powered analysis to identify CAN-SPAM violations at scale, making enforcement more systematic and comprehensive than in prior years.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022canspam_compliance_checklist\u0022\u003ECAN-SPAM compliance checklist\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUse this checklist to verify your email program meets all CAN-SPAM requirements:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESender identity:\u003C/b\u003E Your From name, From email, and Reply-To address accurately identify your organization. Verify this in \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/t8bs4i2mva-manage-senders\u0022\u003EManage Senders\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESubject lines:\u003C/b\u003E Every subject line accurately reflects the email\u0027s content. No misleading or deceptive language.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAdvertisement disclosure:\u003C/b\u003E Commercial emails are identifiable as advertisements through branding, context, or explicit disclosure.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPhysical address:\u003C/b\u003E A valid physical postal address is included in every commercial email. Verify this in your \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/bwjzlj4g62-account-defaults\u0022\u003EBrand Kit settings\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUnsubscribe mechanism:\u003C/b\u003E Every commercial email includes a clear, functioning unsubscribe link. DailyStory provides this automatically.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOpt-out processing:\u003C/b\u003E Unsubscribe requests are honored within 10 business days. DailyStory processes these immediately.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThird-party monitoring:\u003C/b\u003E If agencies, contractors, or affiliates send email on your behalf, their compliance is monitored and documented.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESuppression lists:\u003C/b\u003E Unsubscribed, bounced, and complained contacts are excluded from all future commercial sends.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDomain authentication:\u003C/b\u003E SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are properly configured for all sending domains.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EInternational compliance:\u003C/b\u003E If you send to recipients outside the U.S., you comply with the applicable laws in those jurisdictions.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022next_steps\u0022\u003ENext steps\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECAN-SPAM compliance is a baseline requirement \u2014 not a competitive advantage. Every commercial email your organization sends must meet these requirements, regardless of volume, audience, or industry.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo ensure your DailyStory account is properly configured for compliance:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReview your sender profiles in \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/t8bs4i2mva-manage-senders\u0022\u003EManage Senders\u003C/a\u003E to verify From name, email, and reply-to accuracy\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EConfirm your physical address is current in \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/bwjzlj4g62-account-defaults\u0022\u003Eaccount defaults\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReview your \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/wiri8tg34r-email-sending-guardrails\u0022\u003Eemail sending guardrails\u003C/a\u003E to understand the platform-level compliance protections in place\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETest your unsubscribe flow by sending a test email via a \u003Ca href=\u0022/article/8b6b5fbc-775d-4b1d-a5aa-15113b710f3d-how-to-test-with-seed-segments\u0022\u003Eseed segment\u003C/a\u003E and confirming the opt-out process works correctly\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAudit any third-party senders or affiliates to ensure they meet the same compliance standards\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you have questions about CAN-SPAM compliance or how DailyStory\u0027s features support your compliance program, contact our support team.\u003C/p\u003E","publish_status":0,"post_type":"Article","authoruid":"3dde8c16-763a-4a2b-ae0b-1d8c50c62e3d","author":{"authoruid":"3dde8c16-763a-4a2b-ae0b-1d8c50c62e3d","name":"Rob Howard","photo_url":"https://graffiti-auf7e6dwhxhcbwek.z03.azurefd.net/d8b744fc-2e70-4089-bb80-dd1d08f6c7b2/84080f87-1c87-4093-b803-bcad441d4891/268de8a3-bf0b-4279-82e5-79bc6b808489.jpg?v=359259588","bio":"Rob is a software entrepreneur and investor. He has experience working with brands such as Microsoft, Apple, Facebook and more helping build out digital marketing and online community experiences. His current ventures include dailystory.com, a marketing automation platform, and helpguides.io, a answer engine optimization platform. He is also an active investor and board members in several startups","linkedin_url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/robmhoward/"},"featured_image_updating":false,"meta_description":"Learn how to comply with the CAN-SPAM Act: key requirements, penalties, and how DailyStory helps ensure your emails meet U.S. commercial email laws.","keywords":"CAN-SPAM Act; commercial email; unsubscribe mechanism; physical address; subject line; penalties; DailyStory; domain authentication; opt-out processing; international compliance","display_toc":true,"has_workingcopy":false,"allow_indexing":true,"total_views":76,"date_published":"2026-03-19T14:49:00","date_updated":"2026-03-19T16:38:06.197","date_created":"2026-03-19T14:30:03.76"}}}