The act of consenting to receive promotional electronic messages signifies a user’s willingness to be contacted with commercial information. This action often involves ticking a box on a website form, subscribing via an email link, or affirmatively selecting a preference within an account settings panel. An example is a website visitor who enters their email address and checks a box labeled “Yes, I want to receive newsletters and special offers” during the registration process.
This affirmative consent is crucial for ethical and legal marketing practices. It ensures that individuals are not subjected to unwanted communications, fostering a more positive perception of the sender and brand. Historically, mass, unsolicited email campaigns, often referred to as “spam,” damaged trust in electronic marketing and prompted legislation requiring explicit consent before sending commercial messages. This approach benefits both consumers by respecting their preferences and businesses by improving engagement rates with a more receptive audience.