Let’s be honest: compliance isn’t the glamorous side of email marketing. Nobody gets into marketing because they’re dying to read up on GDPR or figure out DMARC records. But here’s the truth: compliance is what stands between you and wasted campaigns, spam folders, or even fines.

And with privacy regulations growing stricter by the year, marketers can’t afford to treat compliance as an afterthought. The problem? Many email tools make compliance feel like a headache—complex, hidden in the fine print, or only available at higher pricing tiers.

That’s why we’ve built this checklist: to help you compare compliance features across platforms and choose a tool that keeps you covered without adding more stress.

The Compliance Checklist for Email Tools

When you’re evaluating providers, here’s what should be on your radar:

1. Opt-In and Consent Management

Why it matters: Laws like GDPR and CAN-SPAM require you to collect and store proof of consent. If your platform doesn’t support this, you’re on shaky ground.

What to look for:

• Support for single and double opt-in signups.
• Automated logging of consent (date, source, method).
• Easy export of consent records if needed.

✅ Benchmark Check: Every account supports double opt-in and automatically manages consent data—no manual tracking spreadsheets required.

2. Easy Unsubscribes

Why it matters: Regulations demand that every marketing email give recipients a straightforward way to opt out. Make it difficult, and you’ll not only irritate subscribers—you could also face penalties.

What to look for:

• Automatic unsubscribe links in every email.
• One-click opt-out (no forced logins).
• Real-time list updates to prevent future sends.

✅ Benchmark Check: Every email includes an unsubscribe link automatically, and contacts are removed from active lists instantly—keeping you compliant and your reputation intact.

3. Data Security & Storage

Why it matters: Your contact list is sensitive data. Regulations like GDPR and CCPA require secure storage and transparent handling.

What to look for:

• Secure, encrypted data storage.
• Clear policies on where data is hosted.
• Tools to comply with data access/deletion requests.

✅ Benchmark Check: Benchmark partners with trusted infrastructure providers and offers features to manage subscriber rights (like data deletion) easily.

4. Deliverability Safeguards

Why it matters: Compliance isn’t just about laws—it’s also about inbox rules. Poor sending practices can trigger spam filters, tanking your deliverability.

What to look for:

• Email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
• Bounce management.
• Tools to monitor sender reputation.

✅ Benchmark Check: Deliverability is baked into the platform. You must authenticate before getting started, and with Benchmark’s email reporting, you can see how your emails are performing and if any aren’t landing in the inbox. Our platform ensures your campaigns reach inboxes, not spam folders.

5. Permission-Based Sending

Why it matters: Platforms should actively discourage (or block) shady practices like buying lists. Otherwise, your deliverability suffers by association.

What to look for:

• Clear anti-spam policies.
• Safeguards against importing purchased lists.
• Proactive monitoring of suspicious activity.

✅ Benchmark Check: Benchmark assumes positive intent but actively monitors and protects against bad sending practices—without punishing good marketers in the process.

6. Regional Compliance Support

Why it matters: Privacy laws vary by region. A global audience means global compliance needs.

What to look for:

• Tools that support GDPR (Europe), CCPA (California), CASL (Canada), and more.
• Flexible signup forms and consent checkboxes for different regions.

✅ Benchmark Check: Benchmark’s forms and settings make it easy to stay compliant across multiple geographies.

7. Transparent Pricing for Compliance Features

Why it matters: Some platforms lock essential compliance features—like double opt-in or advanced authentication—behind premium tiers. That’s not just frustrating; it’s risky.

What to look for:

• Compliance tools included in all plans.
• No hidden fees for “enterprise-only” compliance features.

✅ Benchmark Check: Every plan includes the compliance essentials. No nickel-and-diming for staying legal.

Where Other Platforms Drop the Ball

Many tools market themselves as “all-in-one” solutions, but when it comes to compliance, they often:

• Charge extra for features like advanced reporting or domain authentication.
• Add friction with complex unsubscribe processes.
• Lack of transparency around how and where data is stored.
• Fail to prioritize deliverability, leaving you to clean up the mess when campaigns land in spam.

For a busy marketer, that’s not just frustrating—it’s risky.

Why Benchmark Keeps It Simple

At Benchmark, we know compliance can feel intimidating. That’s why we designed our platform to do the heavy lifting for you:

• Automatic opt-in and unsubscribe management.
• Strong deliverability focus with authentication tools built in.
• Contact management that respects consent and keeps data organized.
• Regional compliance support for global marketers.
• Transparent pricing with no upsells for compliance basics.

In short: Benchmark keeps you covered—without adding complexity or cost.

Compliance might never be the “fun” part of email marketing—but it doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming either. With the right tool, it can fade into the background, letting you focus on what you actually enjoy: creating campaigns that connect.

Benchmark Email was built to make that possible—keeping you compliant, protecting your reputation, and simplifying the process every step of the way.