Last Updated: 25/04/2026
Introduction
Marketing Approved (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to responsible and lawful email communication with our members and subscribers. This policy clearly explains the categories of email we send, how we obtain your consent to join our marketing email list when you register for a membership account, and how you can control your preferences. It works in conjunction with our full Privacy Policy.
1. Categories of Emails We Send
We send two distinct categories of email, each with a different legal basis:
– Transactional Emails (Service-Related):
These are essential to administer your membership account and provide the services you have requested. Examples include registration confirmations, payment receipts, subscription renewal notices, password resets, and critical account security alerts.
– Lawful basis: Necessary for the performance of our contract with you (or to take steps at your request prior to entering a contract), and for our legitimate interests in safeguarding the Platform.
– Opt-out: You cannot opt out of transactional emails while your account remains active, as they are integral to the service. If you no longer wish to receive them, you will need to close your account.
– Marketing & Promotional Emails:
These include newsletters, writing tips, AI book-writing guides, special offers, product announcements, and promotions from Author Approved.
– Lawful basis: Your explicit, freely given consent (opt-in). We send these emails only because you told us you want to receive them.
2. How You Opt In to the Email List
When you create a membership account or subscribe to our service, you will be presented with a **separate, unchecked checkbox** (or similar clear affirmative action) that asks you to confirm your preference:
☐ “I would like to receive marketing emails, newsletters, and writing tips from Author Approved. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.”
We do not bundle this consent checkbox with your acceptance of the Terms and Conditions or any other agreement. It is an independent choice. No marketing emails will be sent unless you deliberately tick this box. We record the date, time, and precise wording of the consent request shown to you at sign-up, as well as your response.
3. What We Do With Your Information
We never sell, rent, or trade our email list to any third party for their own marketing purposes. If we occasionally send a promotional email on behalf of a carefully selected partner, we still control the sending and do not give the partner access to your email address unless we first obtain your additional, explicit consent to do so.
4. Withdrawing Consent: Unsubscribing From the List
You have the absolute right to withdraw your consent to marketing emails at any time. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of any emails we sent before you withdrew consent. To unsubscribe:
– Click the unsubscribe link included in the footer of every marketing email we send. This link works instantly and requires no further action from you.
– Visit your Account Settings / Email Preferences on the Platform and de-select the marketing opt-in.
– Email us at **[insert general contact email]** with your request. We will process your opt-out without undue delay and in any event within five business days.
Unsubscribing from marketing emails has no effect on the delivery of transactional emails relating to your membership account.
5. Our Commitment to Legal Compliance
Our email practices are designed to comply with the strictest applicable standards, including:
– UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018 (as amended by DUAA 2025): We rely on consent as the lawful basis for direct electronic marketing and respect all your data subject rights, including access, rectification, and erasure.
– UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR): We do not send unsolicited electronic mail to individuals without prior consent, and we ensure that all marketing emails clearly identify us as the sender.
– US CAN-SPAM Act (for any US recipients): Every commercial email we send includes:
– A valid physical postal address for Author Approved.
– A clear, non-deceptive subject line and “From” address.
– A visible, one-click unsubscribe mechanism that is honoured promptly.
6. Changes to This Policy
We will notify registered users of any significant changes to this policy via email and will update the “Last Updated” date. The latest version will always be available on the Platform.