Blind Carbon Copy
(BCC)
Description
BCC: A Simple Guide to Keeping Your Email Private
Most of the time, when you send an email, you place people in the “To” or “CC” (Carbon Copy) fields. But sometimes, you may need to get an email to someone and make sure no one else finds out they received it. This is where Blind Carbon Copy, or BCC, comes into play.
BCC stands for “Blind Carbon Copy”. But when do you use BCC and why is it so crucial, and what are some best practices for using it? This is a straightforward and easy-to-understand guide hence, enabling you to comprehend what’s BCC in a nutshell – good for students, professionals, and just about anybody who’s into emailing.
BCC stands for Blind Carbon Copy. This allows you to send a copy of an e-mail to someone, but other people will not be able to view their e-mail address.
Let’s break it down:
- To: The main folks who will receive this.
- CC (Carbon Copy): Folks who should see the e-mail but aren’t the main persons getting it.
- BCC (Blind Carbon Copy): Folks who get the e-mail, but no one else knows.
Why is it called a “blind” carbon copy?
This is what ‘blind’ means – that something cannot be seen. Hence, the person receiving the e-mail with this information will not be able to view who all are in the BCC field. It is akin to sending some individual a message that everyone may read and a note only they can read.
At times when typewriters and carbon paper were still around, a "carbon copy" denoted a copy of a typed document. A "blind" copy meant that no one else knew it was made.
When to Use BCC?
There are many times when BCC can be very handy. Here are some examples that are common:
1. Sending lots of emails
In the example of such mass mailing as an invitation or a newsletter; when you have hidden everyone’s addresses then nobody’s address appears to anyone in a neatly written message which upholds privacy.
2. Keeping your privacy safe
When one sends an email to a group of strangers like parents from a school group or customers, it is preferable to BCC them so the email addresses are not exposed.
3. Keeping Someone in the Know on the Down Low
Let’s say, for example, that you have to inform an important email to your boss without a third person being aware. You can BCC your boss to keep it real without turning everything into a situation.
A BCC reply work if someone in BCC replies to the email only the sender will see the reply. That’s one of the privacy benefits of BCC.
But be careful: If someone who got a BCC reply forwards that message, it may show that person was also in as a BCC.
What’s the difference between CC and BCC?
- CC (Carbon Copy): FeatureEveryone can see
- BCC (Blind Carbon Copy): - Yes No
- Reply all: Everyone CCed gets a reply. There are no replies to BCCs.
- Visible as – Openly & Privately
- Email privacy: Low, high email privacy
How to Use BCC Properly
Do not abuse BCC; reserve its use for cases where it’s truly necessary. Overdoing it may appear devious.
CC when everyone should know who’s involved, therefore it really is to the benefit of everyone.
Office drama: If people get secret BCC’d at work, it tends to make people trust you less. And this time, you are typically using it carefully.
Respect privacy: Always BCC when sending group emails to people like students, customers, or volunteers.
Using To or CC will expose everyone’s email addresses to everyone else. But if you use BCC, every parent will receive the email without knowing the addresses of the other parents. This keeps everyone’s information private and professional.
BCC stands for Blind Carbon Copy and is a simple yet very helpful way of emailing.
It maintains your privacy, reduces mess, and stops any unwanted replies coming straight back to you. BCC can make your emails look more thoughtful and genteel when you’re sending them to more than one person or just keeping somebody in the loop.
Just remember: with great power comes great responsibility. If you use the BCC wisely your emails will stay private and professional.