Act-On includes a built-in Default Email Footer to help ensure every message meets basic legal and compliance requirements. Most marketers, however, will create a custom footer to align with their branding.
Quick Reference - Click to Expand
- Create footer: Content → Email Footers → Add Footer
- Required items: Opt-out link + company name + physical address
- Text version: Use Generate Text Footer from HTML
- Custom addresses: Add in Settings → Custom Account Settings
- Make default: Hover → Make Default
Footer Contents
Email footers support compliance with regulations such as CAN-SPAM. Act-On will validate your email before sending, and the footer must include specific required elements.
| Opt-Out Link | Required | Several opt-out link formats are available. See this article. |
| Company Name and Address | Required |
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| A link to your Subscription Management Form | Recommended |
This could be:
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Using the Default Footer
The Default Footer cannot be edited.
Create a Custom Email Footer
- Go to Content > Email Footers.
- Click Add Footer.
- Edit the Required Contents so the footer meets compliance requirements.
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Style the footer as desired.
Notes:
- The footer should work across multiple email styles.
- Text must remain readable (avoid tiny text and low-contrast colors).
- Below the HTML version, click Generate Text Footer from HTML.
- If your chosen opt-out link wasn’t included automatically, add it to the text version.
- Click Save.
Create a Custom Footer for Additional Company Addresses
- Go to Settings > Other Settings > Custom Account Settings > Company.
- Under Account Addresses, click + Add address.
- Add the address details (name, street, city, state, ZIP, country).
- Click Save.
- Go back to Content > Email Footers.
- Click Add Footer.
- Enter a Title.
- In the HTML version, include the minimum required contents:
- Click Personalization.
- Select Sender Field.
- Choose your additional company address field.
- Click Insert.
- In the Text Version, click Generate Text Footer from HTML.
- Click Save.
Choose a Default Footer for New Messages
Hover over your custom footer and click Make Default. This footer will be applied automatically to new messages.
FAQs and Troubleshooting
If I edit my footer, does it update everywhere?
No. Updates apply only when you reinsert the footer into messages. Be sure to update your templates as well.
Can I customize the Opt-Out page?
Yes. Go to Content > Email Footers > Custom Opt-Out Confirmation Page, hover, and click Define. See this guide for more information.
Can I use a two-click Opt-Out?
Yes, this feature converts one-click unsubscribe links into a confirmation step.
You may contact Support to enable this feature.
Why won't my email footer pass validation?
See How to Validate an Email Message for Sending for a list of common issues and how to resolve them.