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How to Unsubscribe from Lists
When people try to unsubscribe from a mail list, they become frustrated because it doesn't seem to work. I wrote this page to try to help.
This page also provides additional information regarding other email addresses for lists (e.g., the subscription address, the list owner, etc.)
If you find errors or omissions, please email me and let me know.
Common Problems
The most common problem people have unsubscribing from lists, is that they either forgot, or they don't realize, that they are using two email addresses. For example, on a list I was on recently, one person was receiving mail at hisname@email.msn.com. But when he was unsubscribing, his "return address" was hisname@msn.com. That won't work. It is critical that the "return address" of your mail exactly match, character for character, the address used to subscribe to the list.
The second most common problem people have is that they write the wrong address. Do not write the list to be unsubscribed. The people on the list cannot unsubscribe you. And, it just generally annoys them. If you are having trouble, you need to write the list owner:
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eGroups:
See YahooGroups
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ListBot:
listname-owner@ListBot.com
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ListServ:
owner-listname@listhost.com
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Majordomo:
owner-listname@listhost.com
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ONElist:
See YahooGroups
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SmartGroups:
listname-owner@SmartGroups.com
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Topica:
No standard owner address.
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YahooGroups:
listname-owner@YahooGroups.com
Variables
In the instructions below (and above) I use:
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listname
the exact name of the list you joined
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listhost.com
The domain name of the host of a list
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subscription-email-address
the exact email address you used to subscribe or want to use to subscribe
eGroups
ONElist merged with eGroups. Then Yahoo! bought eGroups. Refer to the YahooGroups section for the current information.
ListBot
Web Addresses
Email Addresses
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Unsubscribe:
listname-unsubscribe@ListBot.com
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Subscribe:
listname-subscribe@ListBot.com
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Owner:
listname-owner@ListBot.com
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Posting:
listname@ListBot.com
Instructions
You can unsubscribe from a specific list by using the list specific page.
And, you can log onto the general page to identify all the ListBot lists you belong to and to unsubscribe for any one.
The General Page uses your email address as your ID and requires your password. If you forgot your password, it will email it to you.
You can also use the email addresses to unsubscribe, subscribe, contact the list owner and post to the list.
Listserv
Email Addresses
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Unsubscribe/Subscribe:
Listserv@listhost.com
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List Owner:
owner-listname@listhost.com
Commands
These commands go into the body of the email addressed to the Unsubscribe/Subscribe address:
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To unsubscribe from your address:
signoff listname
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To unsubscribe from another email address:
signoff listname subscription-email-address
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To subscribe at your address:
subscribe listname
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To subscribe at another email address:
subscribe listname subscription-email-address
Instructions
Most Listserv control is through email instead of through the web.
To unsubscribe or subscribe use the general email address and include the appropriate command in the body of the email.
Majordomo
Email Addresses
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Unsubscribe/Subscribe:
Majordomo@listhost.com
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List Owner:
owner-listname@listhost.com
Commands
These commands go into the body of the email addressed to the Unsubscribe/Subscribe address:
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To unsubscribe from your address:
unsubscribe listname
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To unsubscribe from another email address:
unsubscribe listname subscription-email-address
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To subscribe at your address:
subscribe listname
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To subscribe at another email address:
subscribe listname subscription-email-address
Instructions
Most Majordomo control is through email instead of through the web.
To unsubscribe or subscribe use the general email address and include the appropriate command in the body of the email.
ONElist
ONElist merged with eGroups. Then Yahoo! bought eGroups. Refer to the YahooGroups section for the current information.
SmartGroups
Web Addresses
Email Addresses
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Unsubscribe:
listname-unsubscribe@SmartGroups.com
Note: sending the unsubscribe request will trigger a confirmation email. You must reply to the confirmation email to actually unsubscribe.
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Digest Mode:
listname-setdigest@SmartGroups.com
(after you are subscribed, changes your status to only receive digests instead of every email; note that you must first subscribe before you change to digest)
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No Mail (Web Read Only):
listname-setweb@SmartGroups.com
(after you are subscribed, turns your mail off, but leaves you a member of the list)
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Normal:
listname-setmail@SmartGroups.com
(if you are in no-mail or digest mode, changes you back to receive all emails)
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Subscribe:
listname-subscribe@SmartGroups.com
Note: sending the subscribe request will trigger a confirmation email. You must reply to the confirmation email to actually complete the subscription.
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List Owner:
listname-owner@SmartGroups.com
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Post Message:
listname@SmartGroups.com
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Help:
I am unaware of any standard address to retrieve standard help information. It appears that to retrieve standard help information must register on the web and use the web based facility.
Web Instructions
Go to SmartGroups at SmartGroups.com.
If you are registered, log on. If not registered, register.
Once registered on the web, you can manage all your lists (groups) from the website.
You can unsubscribe from any list (group).
You can also change from individual email to digest mode or select "web only" to stay on the list but not get email.
(The web only feature permits you to log on to the web to see postings and to remain a member of the list groups) so you can post yourself.).
Topica
Web Addresses
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General Page:
topica.com
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List Specific Page:
http://www.topica.com/lists/listname/
Email Addresses
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Unsubscribe:
listname-unsubscribe@Topica.com
Note: sending the unsubscribe request will trigger a confirmation email. You must reply to the confirmation email to actually unsubscribe.
Topica also now includes at the bottom of every email, a clickable URL to an unsubscribe page. Click on that URL, and click to confirm and you will be unsubscribed immediately. Note: Because anyone can use that URL, you should always edit it out before forwarding such an email anywhere. Anyone who knows that URL can unsubscribe you from that list.
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Digest Mode (#1):
listname-request-digest@Topica.com
After you are subscribed, changes your status to only receive digests instead of every email. Note that you must first subscribe before you use this command. But see also Digest Mode #2 below.
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Digest Mode (#2):
listname-subscribe-digest@Topica.com
Directly subscribes into digest mode.
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No Mail (Web Read Only):
I am unaware of any standard address to invoke no mail mode. It appears that to obtain no mail mode you must register on the web and use the web based facility.
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Normal:
listname-request-messages@Topica.com
(if you are in no-mail or digest mode, changes you back to receive all emails)
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Subscribe:
listname-subscribe@Topica.com
Note: sending the subscribe request will trigger a confirmation email. You must reply to the confirmation email to actually complete the subscription.
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List Owner:
Currently there there is no standard owner address.
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Post Message:
listname
@Topica.com
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Help:
I am unaware of any standard address to retrieve standard help information. It appears that to retrieve standard help information must register on the web and use the web based facility.
Special Notes About Subscribing Via Email:
When you subscribe to a Topica email list by sending an email, it will send back a confirmation email. Then when you click on the URL to confirm, you will go to a web page that will ask you to "register". It is not required that you register. Topica does not go out of its way to tell you that. They would like you to register. But if you get to that page, then you have subscribed and registration is not required.
Web Instructions
Go to Topica at topica.com.
If you already have an account, log in. If you don't have an account, create one.
On the web you can also change from individual email to digest mode or select "web only" to stay on the list but not get email.
(The web only feature permits you to log on to the web to see postings and to remain a member of the list groups) so you can post yourself.).
YahooGroups
ONElist merged with eGroups. Then Yahoo! bought eGroups. You many now substitute YahooGroups.com wherever you previously used either ONElist.com or eGroups.com.
Web Addresses
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General Page:
groups.yahoo.com
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List Specific Page:
groups.yahoo.com/group/listname
Email Addresses
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Unsubscribe:
listname-unsubscribe@YahooGroups.com
Note: sending the unsubscribe request will trigger a confirmation email. You must reply to the confirmation email to actually unsubscribe.
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Digest Mode:
listname-digest@YahooGroups.com
(after you are subscribed, changes your status to only receive digests instead of every email; note that you must first subscribe before you change to digest)
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No Mail (Web Read Only):
listname-nomail@YahooGroups.com
(after you are subscribed, turns your mail off, but leaves you a member of the list)
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Normal:
listname-normal@YahooGroups.com
(if you are in no-mail or digest mode, changes you back to receive all emails)
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Subscribe:
listname-subscribe@YahooGroups.com
Note: sending the subscribe request will trigger a confirmation email. You must reply to the confirmation email to actually complete the subscription.
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List Owner:
listname-owner@YahooGroups.com
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Post Message:
listname@YahooGroups.com
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Help:
listname-help@YahooGroups.com
This address will send you information about the list and all the email addresses you need to unsubscribe, etc.
Web Instructions
Log on to YahooGroups at groups.yahoo.com using one of your Yahoo! IDs.
Once logged on, you will see all the lists (groups) you belong to. You can unsubscribe from any list (group).
You can also change from individual email to digest mode or select "web only" to stay on the list but not get email.
(The web only feature permits you to log on to the web to see postings and to remain a member of the list groups) so you can post yourself.). |
