Updated: Dec 23, 2024
How to require new subscribers to request access to your newsletter
You can require subscribers to request access to join your mailing list, regardless of whether your newsletter is private or public.
Instead of automatically joining after entering their email, you can require that new subscribers must request access to your publication. This feature is ideal for building exclusive communities around your newsletters.
How to require new subscribers to request access to your newsletter
- From the left panel Dashboard, scroll down and select Settings.
- Your publication settings will open. If you have multiple publications, select one from the dropdown options. Under Workplace Settings, click Overview.
- Scroll down to find the Content Access section, then toggle on the Require Subscriber Approval option so that it shows as checked.
- When this option is enabled, anyone who visits your Home Page will be met with an Approval Required message letting them know that they need to request access.
Tech Note: The Approval Required message will only appear on your Home Page, not your Signup Page. If you have not published your first post, your site will default to your Signup Page. Users who sign up via the Signup Page will see a popup informing them that approval is required after they enter their email. The rest of your Signup Flow will remain unchanged, so subscribers who request approval will still be taken through any forms, recommendations, and other steps you have in place. - Your subscriber will receive an email, letting them know that they are awaiting approval.
Pending subscriber actions
When new subscribers enter their email into the subscribe request form, they will show up in your subscriber list with the call to action Needs Approval as their status.
A subscriber who needs approval will also show a Needs Approval status on their subscriber page.
To approve or deny a subscriber, click their email address in your subscriber list to open their subscriber details page. From there, select the desired action from the Approve dropdown menu on the right.
A popup will appear for you to confirm that you wish to approve your new subscriber. Click Approve.
New subscribers will receive an email notification upon approval. The content of the email will depend on your specific setup.
If you have the double opt in option toggled on: Your subscriber will receive an email asking them to confirm their subscription.
After you approve their subscription, your subscriber will show as ‘Pending’ in your subscriber list until they confirm their opt in.
If you have a welcome email set up, your subscriber will receive it under the following conditions:
- Without double opt in: The welcome email is sent immediately after approval.
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With double opt in: The welcome email is sent after the subscriber confirms their email via the double opt in process.
If you do not have a welcome email or double opt in enabled: Your subscriber will receive an email letting them know that they are approved.
Once you approve a subscriber, they will be added to your mailing list and receive access to your site and publication. You can deny, unsubscribe, and delete people from your list at any time.
Frequently asked questions about requiring subscribers to request access
Can I set up subscriber requests for both public and private newsletters?
Yes, you can set this up for both private and public newsletters. However, the Private Publication toggle is separate from the Require Subscriber Access toggle that is outlined above.
Can I create subscriber requests for just the paid tier of my publication?
No; currently, toggling on subscriber requests will apply to all tiers of your publication.
How do recommendations work if I require subscriber approval?
You will still be able to be recommended by other publications, and other publications can still recommend you. There will be a note indicating that your publication requires approval when other publications recommend you.