2024-04-19 03:33:46
If you want to write emails to several recipients at the same time, put them in “CC” or “BCC”. This is something to keep in mind when using it.
Communication via email is widespread in both private and business environments. Functions such as file attachments, links or appointment invitations offer emails unlimited potential. Using the CC and BCC functions, you can also reach a large number of recipients at the same time.
But these freedoms also come with risks. One wrong click can have serious consequences, from ruined relationships to trade secrets being accidentally revealed. It is therefore important to know the differences and use the fields correctly.
CC in emails: Recipients are visible to everyone
The abbreviation “CC” stands for “carbon copy” (in German: “carbon copy”) and means that each recipient can see the email addresses of all other recipients and use them for their own purposes if necessary. The CC function is best used if you want to send circular emails with the same content to a group whose members know each other and where the distribution and visibility of email addresses is not a problem.
If you want the recipients to know who the email was sent to, you should “CC” them – for example in circular emails to friends or family. The CC function is also often used to show the recipient in the CC field that they are only receiving the email for information purposes.
In general, be careful when using this feature. It is considered impolite to pass on email addresses to others without permission, especially if you are not sure whether all recipients agree to the sharing. For example, some colleagues react with irritation if the boss’s address is given in CC.
BCC in emails: recipients are hidden
“BCC” stands for “blind carbon copy” (in German: “blind carbon copy”) and functions identically to CC – here, too, the same email is sent to all recipients. However, the addresses that are in the BCC line are not displayed to other recipients. The people whose addresses are in the address line and in CC cannot see whether the email was also sent to other recipients who are in BCC.
This function is always useful if the recipient list is very extensive. The function should be used especially if the recipients have not agreed to their own email address being passed on or if you do not want anyone to know who else the email was sent to.
This way you protect the privacy of each recipient. The use of the BCC function is also recommended to prevent the email addresses of recipients of circular emails from being misused for spam emails. Otherwise, the emails could be misused or end up on the distribution list of some newsletters without being asked.
How you use the functions
The CC and BCC functions are available in every email program. However, in some cases you have to activate this before you can send a message as a visible or blind copy. In Outlook, for example, the functions can be found behind the “Options” tab. Alternatively, you can click on the CC field and there you will find the option to also set recipients in BCC.
A little tip: It happens that you cannot simply write all addresses into the BCC field. If the mail service requires at least one email address in the address field, simply write your own there – but this is usually not necessary. Depending on your email program, you can separate the different email addresses with a comma or semicolon and enter a space in the respective field.