Understanding Email Tags and Targeting
Organizations use tags to organize their contacts and send relevant messages. Here's what you need to know.
What Are Tags?
Tags are labels that organizations assign to contacts. Think of them like folders or categories. Common tags include:
| Tag | What It Means |
|---|---|
| newsletter | Signed up for the newsletter |
| customers | Has made a purchase |
| donors | Has made a donation |
| attendees | Has attended an event |
| vip | Special contacts |
How Tags Are Assigned
Tags are assigned automatically based on your actions:
Automatic Tags
- newsletter: When you sign up for their mailing list
- customers: When you make a purchase
- donors: When you make a donation
- attendees: When you buy event tickets
Manual Tags
Organizations may also add custom tags based on their relationship with you (e.g., "board-member", "volunteer", "sponsor").
How Organizations Use Tags
Tags help organizations send relevant messages:
Example 1: Donor Thank You
An organization wants to thank donors specifically. They send a message to everyone tagged "donors" instead of their entire list.
Example 2: Customer Exclusive
A store offers a discount to existing customers. They send it only to contacts tagged "customers".
Example 3: Event Attendees
After an event, organizers send a feedback survey only to "attendees".
What This Means for You
The Good News
- You receive more relevant emails
- Fewer mass messages that don't apply to you
- Organizations can personalize their outreach
Your Control
Even with targeting:
- Unsubscribe stops everything: One click stops ALL marketing emails, regardless of tags
- You don't need to manage tags: They're internal organizational tools
- Tags don't affect your data rights: You can still access, export, or delete your data
Can I See My Tags?
Tags are currently internal organizational tools and aren't visible to subscribers. If you're curious about how an organization categorizes you, you can contact them directly.
Privacy Considerations
Tags are:
- Organization-specific: Each organization has their own tags
- Not shared: Organization A can't see Organization B's tags for you
- Not sold: We don't sell tag data to anyone
- Used only for email targeting: Not for advertising or third-party purposes
Questions?
If you have questions about how an organization uses tags, contact them directly. For platform questions, email support@equipoi.se.