Email List

Glossary

Email List

An electronic mailing list is a collection of names and email addresses used for the widespread distribution of information or marketing materials via email. Email lists can be manually maintained and updated, or fully or partially automated through the use of special mailing list software.

There are many types of mailing lists. Some operate like a discussion forum (many-to-many), where any member can send a message to a single designated address for the entire group. This may be moderated but someone, who checks the content of the message before it is then distributed to all members.

The most commonly form of list used for marketing purposes is a one-to-many mailing list, where a company or organisation sends information, updates and news to subscribers periodically, allowing recipients the option to subscribe, unsubscribe or mail to a friend.