Why can’t my imported list be serviced?

Flodesk reviews imported subscriber lists to make sure they meet email marketing permission requirements and comply with privacy and anti-spam regulations, including GDPR, the CAN-SPAM Act, and other applicable laws globally.

If a list doesn't meet these requirements, Flodesk may prevent it from being uploaded or reach out to ask you to remove it from your account.

This article explains the most common reasons a list can't be serviced. For a full guide on how to collect permission the right way, see How to get permission from your subscribers the right way.

Any list that wasn't built by people opting in directly to hear from you can't be serviced. This includes:

• Purchased or rented lists

• Scraped lists

• Lists compiled from publicly accessible data

• Lists from professional organizations

• Leads lists

• Lists obtained from multi-level marketing (MLM) companies

• Lists shared at trade shows or conferences

Implied consent means someone has a relationship with you but hasn't specifically agreed to receive your marketing emails. Lists built from implied relationships can't be serviced. This includes contacts who:

• Signed up for your website, app, group, or course

• Made a purchase from your business

• Requested specific information, such as a quote

You must be able to verify that every contact on your list gave consent to receive your emails. If your opt-in records are incomplete or missing, Flodesk can't verify permission and can't approve the list.

Learn what needs to be included in your opt-in records.

• Joint opt-in lists (where contacts opted in to multiple brands at once)

• Giveaway lists

• Employee or organization member lists

• Student or alumni lists

• Lists obtained under a different brand name than the one sending the emails

Businesses are legally required to maintain complete, accurate, and up-to-date records of marketing opt-in consent. These records protect your business in the event of a spam complaint or regulatory inquiry.

Flodesk can't service lists without complete, verifiable opt-in records. Your records should include the date, time, IP address, and method of opt-in for each subscriber.

Learn more about opt-in records and what to include.

Why was my imported list rejected or flagged by Flodesk?
Flodesk reviews all imported lists to make sure they meet email marketing permission requirements and comply with privacy and anti-spam laws. If your list includes contacts who didn't give express, first-party consent to receive your marketing emails specifically, it may not be approved. Common reasons include using a purchased list, a shared list, or a list of contacts who haven't specifically opted in to hear from you.

Can I import a list of people who bought from me?
Not without additional consent. Customers who made a purchase have what's called "implied consent," which isn't the same as express permission to receive marketing emails. To email past buyers, you'll need them to actively opt in to your email list, such as through a Flodesk form or a clear marketing opt-in at checkout.

Can I import a list I purchased or received from a third party?
No. Third-party lists, including purchased lists, rented lists, scraped lists, and lists shared at trade shows or events, don't meet Flodesk's permission requirements. The contacts on those lists didn't opt in to your list specifically, which means you don't have the right to email them.

What are opt-in records and why do I need them?
Opt-in records are documentation that proves each subscriber consented to receive your marketing emails. They should include the date, time, IP address, and method of opt-in. Businesses are legally required to maintain these records. When subscribers sign up through a Flodesk form, Flodesk keeps these records for you automatically.

What happens if Flodesk can't verify my list's opt-in records?
If your opt-in records are incomplete or missing, Flodesk won't be able to verify consent and can't approve the list for use. Make sure you have complete, verifiable records before importing any list that wasn't collected through Flodesk forms.

What should I do if my list was flagged or removed?
Review your list to confirm that every contact gave express, first-party consent to receive marketing emails from you specifically. If you're unsure whether your list meets the requirements, read the guide on how to get permission from your subscribers the right way before re-importing. If you have questions, reach out to Flodesk support at support@flodesk.com.

What regulations does Flodesk comply with for list imports?
Flodesk follows global privacy and anti-spam regulations, including GDPR, the CAN-SPAM Act, and other applicable laws. All imported lists are reviewed against these standards and the Flodesk Terms and Conditions.