# Add an unsubscribe link

> Every campaign needs a clear unsubscribe link - how to add one in the designer or in your own HTML.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/add-an-unsubscribe-link
Updated: 2026-06-10

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Every campaign must include an unsubscribe link - it's a legal requirement, and emailing someone who's unsubscribed counts as spam. Far from a loss, a clear one-click unsubscribe protects your reputation: people who can easily leave are much less likely to hit "report spam" instead. This guide covers adding one.

## In the email designer

If the system doesn't find an unsubscribe link in your campaign, it adds one to the foot automatically. It's better to place it deliberately, though, by linking the `[UNSUBSCRIBE]` merge tag yourself:

1. Open your campaign in the editor.
2. Select the text you want to be the unsubscribe link.
3. Choose **Insert Link** from the editor menu.
4. Set the link to the `[UNSUBSCRIBE]` URL.

Alternatively, with the text selected, use the small toolbar: **Special Links > Subscription > Unsubscribe**.

## In the HTML editor

If you're starting from your own code:

1. Select **Create**, then **Campaign**.
2. Choose the **Start from scratch** tab.
3. Under **Start with your own code**, click **Select**.
4. Paste your HTML, then click **Upload and Edit**.
5. Highlight your unsubscribe text and link it to the `[UNSUBSCRIBE]` URL using the editor's link option.

## Troubleshooting

**The unsubscribe link doesn't work** - check the `[UNSUBSCRIBE]` merge tag is formatted correctly and converted to a hyperlink, and test before sending.

**The campaign won't send without one** - an unsubscribe link is required for compliance; check the footer for an auto-added one, or add the `[UNSUBSCRIBE]` tag yourself.

**The link appears twice** - remove your manual link if the system also added one; check the header and footer, and use preview to confirm there's only one.

**Formatting** - keep it visible and easy to find, with good contrast and a readable font size.

This pairs with your **[physical address](/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/add-your-physical-address)** as the two compliance must-haves, and opt-outs are handled by your **[suppression list](/knowledgebase/senders-deliverability/use-your-suppression-list)**. If an unsubscribe link won't work, [open a support ticket](/knowledgebase/getting-started/how-to-create-a-support-ticket-in-mykualo).

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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/add-an-unsubscribe-link · © Kualo Ltd._