All about bcc in email: When to use it and how to follow bcc etiquette

What is bcc, and how is it different from cc?

Similar to the more commonly used cc (carbon copy), the meaning of bcc is “blind carbon copy.” Unlike cc emails, recipients under bcc are hidden from everyone but the sender. Recipients copied under bcc won’t receive email replies from other recipients. If you want bcc recipients to receive future replies, you must forward them.

People typically use bcc for mass emails that don’t require a response and to hide recipients’ email addresses to protect their privacy (and prevent them from getting a bunch of unwanted replies). However, some people may use bcc to make a person aware of a conversation without the primary recipient knowing. This practice is generally frowned upon as it may deceive someone into incorrectly thinking their communication is private. It’s also easy for bcc to backfire when used in this way. If a bcc recipient responds to all, the primary recipients of the email will know they were blind copied.

How to send a bcc email

Sending an email using bcc follows the same process as using cc. The Bcc field usually sits below the Cc and To fields for most email services. If the bcc field doesn’t appear immediately when you begin composing an email, you will need to locate it. You might find it in the upper-right corner of the window or under Options.

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Add recipients to the bcc field and start writing your email. Remember that other recipients of the email won’t be able to see who’s been bcc’d.

When to use bcc

Generally, there are only a few scenarios that require bcc. Using bcc to send an email to a large group of people protects their contact information and prevents them from receiving unwanted replies. For example, if you’re sending out a newsletter, you should always use bcc to avoid exposing your subscriber’s emails to the rest of the list.

Bcc can also be used for emails that don’t require a response and don’t contain sensitive information, like an email announcing a new hire in your office or advertising a seasonal e-commerce promotion.

When NOT to use bcc

Be cautious of using bcc to expose private conversations. If you’re having issues with a colleague at work, you might be tempted to copy your boss to an email thread using bcc. However, using bcc in this way can erode trust between you and your coworkers. It’s better to directly address an issue and let someone know you’re looping in other people to a conversation.

Using bcc for private conversations can also quickly turn wrong. If the bcc recipient accidentally replies, everyone in the conversation will be able to see that they were bcc’d. Avoid awkward interactions by sticking to cc or forwarding emails after they’ve already been sent.

Etiquette tips for using bcc

Bcc can be a useful tool for personal or business communication, but it has its downsides. Follow these tips to help you decide whether to use bcc or not:

• Be transparent. Certain email scenarios benefit from bcc, but they shouldn’t be used to trick or deceive someone who believes their email conversation will stay private.
• Double-check your emails before sending them. With three different fields to enter email addresses, you’ll want to be sure you’re using the right one.
• Use cc instead if you want transparency. Unless you need to protect the contact information of your recipients, using cc operates similarly to bcc without appearing shady.

Use bcc cautiously to avoid unnecessary awkward interactions or breaching someone’s trust. Keep these tips in mind before sending your next email.