> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.emarketeer.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.emarketeer.com/guides/account-admin/subscriptions.md).
# Subscriptions
In this guide: how to configure subscription categories, assign them to emails, and let contacts manage their email preferences through the subscription center.
Subscriptions give contacts control over which types of emails they receive, so they can opt out of specific categories rather than unsubscribing entirely. This typically reduces full opt-outs.
You organise your emails into categories — for example, Newsletters, Event invitations, or Special offers. When you send, eMarketeer automatically excludes contacts who have unsubscribed from that category. An email with no category assigned is only filtered for contacts who have fully withdrawn their marketing consent.
## Set up subscription categories
You need administrator access to create and manage subscription categories.
1. Click the gear icon at the top right and select **Account Settings**.
2. Open **Compliance** in the left menu. Subscription categories are listed under **Subscriptions**.
3. Click **Add subscription** to create a category. Keep names short and clear — contacts see them in the subscription center. Focus on broad communication types rather than very specific ones.
## Your contacts
All contacts — new and existing — start with every subscription category turned on. To change subscription settings for a group of contacts at once, use the bulk update action on a contact list.
## Create an email
When you add a new email, expand **Advanced settings** in the Add Email dialog to find the **Subscription category** dropdown. Select the category that best matches the email's content.
If the email does not belong to any category — for example, a one-time notification — set it to **None**. Emails set to None are only filtered for contacts who have fully unsubscribed.
## Subscription center
The subscription center is a public page where contacts manage their email preferences. It lists all active categories, each with a toggle. Contacts can also check a box to fully opt out and withdraw all marketing consent.
The standard unsubscribe link in email footers automatically links to the subscription center.
## Automations
You can change a contact's subscription status automatically using campaign automations. Open the **Automation** tab of a campaign and create an automation that triggers when a contact interacts with a component — for example, to remove them from a category after they click a specific link. See the [Update subscription automation](/guides/guides/campaigns/campaign-automations/campaign-automation-update-subscription.md).
***
**Related:**
* [Exclude inactive recipients](/references/references/email/exclude-inactive-recipients.md)
* [Transactional sendouts](/references/references/email/transactional-sendouts.md)
* [Whitelisting email servers](/references/references/email/deliverability/whitelisting-email-servers.md)
* [Automatic send pause](/references/references/email/automatic-send-pause.md)
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