Email Explained: The Difference between CC and BCC


Email is one of the most important tools that businesses have at their disposal. Not only does email allow companies to communicate with their customers and clients, but it can also be used for marketing purposes. However, if you don't understand how email works, then you won't be able to effectively use it.

If you're new to email, you might be wondering what the difference between BCC and CC is. BCC (blind carbon copy) and CC (carbon copy) are two different types of email addresses. These buttons are often misunderstood by new users.

What is CC?

Carbon copy (CC) is an email feature that allows you to send the same message to multiple recipients. This can be helpful if you want to coordinate your actions with other recipients, or if you need to make sure that everyone understands the same information.

The CC is often used in business emails because it lets you know who should receive all of the information from your email, or who should be made aware of it.

If you're sending an email to multiple people, or if you're sending an email about something that has many parts, then using CC will help keep everyone informed about everything that's going on in your message.

What is BCC?

You've probably heard of BCC, and you may even use it every once in a while. But if you're not sure what it means, or how to use it, it is about time you did.

BCC is an acronym that stands for Blind Carbon Copy. It's a special type of email that allows you to send the same message to multiple recipients at once. You can do this without having their information on the actual message itself.

It's not just for spamming, though—it's useful when you want to send a message to more than one person at once.

The BCC field is found on almost every email client and mobile app, so it's easy to use even if you don't know how to use email. You can also add other people who receive emails from your account by simply going into your settings screen and adding them.

Difference Between CC And BCC

Now that we have explained both terms separately, let us see the difference between them and how they are useful in different formats −

If you're new to email, you may be wondering why we talk about CC and BCC—and why they're different from each other. To start, let's talk about the difference between them.

CC

What does CC stand for?

The "CC" stands for carbon copy, and it means that a message has been sent to all recipients who are listed as recipients in the To: field of the email.

Why is CC Used?

The reason people use CC in an email is that it helps them make sure that you get your point across. You don't want to waste time responding to emails when there's a chance that the recipient doesn't need your input or opinion. So, by being able to add a second person to the email, you can make sure that everyone who needs to see something has been included.

If you want to avoid this kind of situation, be sure to only include people who are directly involved in the conversation. For example, if you're talking about how you're going to take on a new project, don't include your boss or any coworkers who aren't directly involved in the discussion. You should just include those who are directly involved with taking on the project!

How to Use CC in an Email?

If you're not already doing it, you have got to start using CC in email. It's a great way to make sure your emails are seen by the right person. Here's how it works −

  • Come up with a list of people who should be cc'd on your email. This could be anyone from the CEO to your assistant—you want everyone to know what you're doing, so they can help you accomplish it!

  • Add these names to the CC field at the top of your email, so that they will be included in the conversation if they don't get it immediately. You can also add them as recipients if you like, or even just leave them off entirely if that's what makes sense for your business and personal lives.

  • Then sign each email with "CC:" at the beginning of your body text so that anyone who needs to will know who needs to see it first!

BCC

What does BCC Stand For?

The "BCC" stands for blind carbon copy, and it means that a message has been sent only to those recipients who are listed in the BCC: field of the email.

Why is BCC used?

So what's the big deal? Well, BCC is great if you want to send someone a message on their own accord without overlapping with another person's inbox. This can be useful if someone sees your email in their inbox but doesn't want to reply right away because they're busy or have more emails than time. Or maybe they just don't want their boss to see their reply!

On top of that, BCC is also good for keeping your messages private if someone doesn't want other people reading what they say in an email thread. You can use BCC just like any other in Gmail—just add two periods at the end of your message before sending.

How to Use BCC in an Email?

When you send an email, you can use the BCC field to send a copy of the message to someone else. This feature is useful if you want to share information with multiple people at once.

Here are some of the best practices for using BCC with email −

  • Make sure that your BCC recipient has explicitly asked for the BCC format.

  • If you're sending a mass mailing, make sure that each recipient has signed up for the mailing list.

  • To add a recipient to your message, just click on the "BCC: " box and type their name or email address.

  • Now, that you have added all the names, click the Done button at the bottom left corner of your screen.

The Difference between CC and BCC

Let us summarize it through a small table −

Basis

CC

BCC

Full form

Carbon copy

Blind carbon copy

Function

You can send the thread to a maximum number of people

You can be discreet about the email Id’s if someone doesn't want other people reading what they say in an email thread

More useful

It is better when you want other people to know who else got the message.

It is better when you want to send the thread privately without other members knowing.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot to understand about this process which looks simple on the surface. So, if you’re sending an email that has multiple recipients, it's best to get in-depth knowledge about how this works before unleashing your emails in the wild. Knowing the difference between CC and BCC is important if you want to send emails that don’t get returned. This way, your message will reach the person that needs it most.

In its simplest form, the difference between CC and BCC lies in the information that you want to be shared. While the intended recipient (if there is one) of an email should always be included in the TO: field, CC should contain individuals involved in the message's creation or distribution, while BCC contains recipients that are not directly involved.

Updated on: 29-Dec-2022

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