Key facts
- US law requires you to honor opt out requests within 10 business days.
- Some people prefer silence, and that is fine too, as long as the removal happens.
- Everywhere you might email from: running sequences, saved lists, your CRM and any spreadsheet a teammate keeps.
- A removal that only covers one tool is how people get emailed twice.
Do I have to reply?
A one line reply is polite and confirms you heard them: you have been removed and will not hear from us again. No pitch, no questions. Some people prefer silence, and that is fine too, as long as the removal happens.
Where do I need to remove them?
Everywhere you might email from: running sequences, saved lists, your CRM and any spreadsheet a teammate keeps. A removal that only covers one tool is how people get emailed twice.
How do I stop them coming back on a new list?
Keep a suppression list and check every new list against it before you send. Without one, the same person can show up again the next time you build a list.
The removal checklist
- Stop sending
Pull them from every active sequence now.
- Confirm
Reply once to say they are removed.
- Suppress
Add the address to your do not contact list.
- Check new lists
Run every future list against that suppression list before sending.
When does Buzzlist fit, and when does it not?
It fits when
- You send cold email and want to handle opt outs correctly.
- You work with a team and need one shared rule.
It does not fit when
- You want legal advice for your situation. Ask a lawyer.
- You want to remove someone from the Buzzlist database itself. That is a separate data removal request.
Questions people ask next
How fast must I remove them?
The CAN-SPAM Act gives you 10 business days. Source: FTC Same day is the safer habit.
Can I email them from a different address or domain?
No. The request applies to you and your business, whatever address you send from.
What does Buzzlist do with a removal request?
Unsubscribes are suppressed for good, and you can add the person to your Never contact list so they are never revealed, saved or charged again in your workspace.
Should I add an unsubscribe line to cold emails?
Yes. A simple way to opt out is required for commercial email in the US, and it keeps complaints down.
Sources
Checked November 1, 2026. Rules change, so read the source before you rely on it. This is general information, not legal advice.