Buzz
Blind Carbon Copy (BCC) is a feature that allows you to send an email to multiple recipients without revealing their email addresses to each other. When you use BCC, the recipients' contact details remain private, which also provides an added layer of confidentiality when needed. We will guide you through the process of setting up and sending a BCC email.
Steps
Outlook Mailbox on PC
Enable the BCC field. This field is typically hidden by default, but it's simple to activate:
- For Outlook 2007 and 2010, start a new email, then click the Option Tab and select the Show Bcc icon from the options menu.
- For Outlook 2003, begin a new email, click the dropdown arrow in the Option menu on the toolbar, and select "Bcc".
- For Outlook Express, click "Create Mail", then go to the View menu and choose "All Headers".
Enter the recipient's email address. Type in the email address of the person you wish to BCC.
Macintosh Mailbox
Activate the BCC field. This field is typically hidden by default, but it’s easy to reveal with a few simple steps:
- In Mac OS X Mail, first compose a new message. Then go to the View menu and select Bcc Address Field. This setting will remain until you decide to change it.
Enter the recipient's email address. Type in the email address of the person you wish to BCC.
Yahoo Mailbox
Enable the BCC field. This field is usually hidden by default, but activating it is straightforward:
- Compose a new email, then click "Add Bcc" in the path to the right of the CC: field.
Gmail Mailbox
Enable the BCC field. This field is typically hidden by default, but it's very easy to enable:
- Create a new email, then click "Insert Bcc" right below the "To" field.
Enter the recipient's email address. Type in the email address of the person you wish to send the BCC to.
Firstclass Mailbox
Enable the BCC field. This field is usually hidden by default, but it's very easy to activate:
- Once the compose window is open, select the "Message" option, then click on "Show Bcc" or use the shortcut Ctrl + B.
Enter the recipient's email address. Type in the email address of the person you wish to send the BCC to.
How to Use BCC
Using BCC correctly. BCC is an excellent choice for private communication. If you only use the "To" field and the CC field to send a letter to multiple people, everyone in the list can see the other recipients' details. While this function is convenient for group emails, it can be annoying when recipients don't know each other.
- Not only does it expose the list of recipients, but it also opens a reply window where most of the responses aren’t relevant to everyone, which may make some recipients uncomfortable — even worse, it opens up opportunities for spam to flood your inbox.
- For instance, you might email a few important team members to update them on progress, but you want higher management to discreetly follow the progress. In this case, you would place the names of the entire team in the "To" field; the names of those who are following but not actively involved in the conversation in the CC field; and lastly, place the names of those you want to invite to the conversation without notifying them in the BCC field. You could also add your own email in the BCC field to receive a copy of all sent messages.
- By placing all recipients in the BCC field, no one will see the other recipients' names. This is the best way to maintain privacy in the message you're sending.
Finally, send the email.
Note. While BCC is quite useful, it is not the most secure way to protect your message. Some email servers handle BCC emails differently, meaning the BCC feature may be ineffective. Email servers might send the list of BCC recipients at the beginning of the email. It’s a good idea to check how each server deals with this and consult online communities to ensure your chosen server will protect the BCC recipient list properly.
Tips
- When sending a new email, it’s easier if your name is placed in the "To" field. This way, any reply will go directly to your inbox.
- Alternatively, if you don’t want the recipient to reply, you can create an email address that will automatically send replies to the trash. For example, you can use noreply@your_company.com.
- In Outlook Express, there’s another way to enter email addresses (To:, Cc:, and Bcc:). Click on the small "Address Book" icon on the left to format the addresses you want to send to, including To:, Cc:, and Bcc:. When the address book opens, double-click on the address you wish to select, and it will automatically fill in your option boxes.
- CC: stands for Carbon Copy and includes additional recipient addresses. These are usually not directly related to the content of the message, but it’s always good practice to review them.
- TO: is for the direct recipient of the email.
Warnings
- Any address entered in the TO: field will be visible to all recipients.
- All email addresses entered in the CC: field will be visible to all recipients.
