Messages

This settings page is only available to domain administrators, mailing list moderators and system administrators with the proper permissions.

Administrators and List Moderators can customize the system messages used for a mailing list. Some system messages, such as the headers and footers added to postings, are seen by every list subscriber. Others are automated replies that are only seen when someone emails a listserv command — SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE, HELP, etc. — to the list's command address. For more information on those commands, please see Listserv Commands.

The Messages tab lists each system message along with when it was last Changed, its Type ("Email" for messages that are sent as standalone emails with their own Subject, or "Text" for snippets like headers and footers), and its Subject where applicable. To edit a particular message, simply select it from the list. When you do, a modal opens that allows you to fully customize the message — and, for Email-type messages, its subject line — using a complete HTML editor. Once you've made your changes, be sure to save them. A customized message can be returned to its stock wording at any time using the Reset button in the editor.

Message Variables

The editor also displays the variables available for the message you're editing. Variables are placeholders, wrapped in # signs, that are replaced with real values when the message is sent. The most important is #UnsubscribeLink#, which inserts the list's unsubscribe link — including it in the Posted message footer means every posting carries a working unsubscribe link, which subscribers (and spam filters) appreciate. Other variables include #Sender# and #Recipient#, plus families of date/time variables based on the domain's, moderator's, or server's local time (e.g., #DomainDateNow#, #ModeratorTimeNow#, #ServerYearNow#). The exact set varies by message, so refer to the Variables list shown in the editor.

The System Messages

Digest footer - This is the footer that is displayed when digest emails are sent to digest list subscribers.
Digest header - This is the header that is displayed when digest emails are sent to digest list subscribers.
Digest separator - This is the character set (e.g., dashes) that will be used to separate the individual messages within digest emails.
HELP response - LISTSERV COMMAND ONLY. This can be used to return information about the list, such as its creation date, last updated date, etc. or any other information the domain or list owner wants returned.
Post failure - insufficient permissions - This email is sent to posters that do not have the proper permission to post to the list. For example, this is returned to list subscribers who reply to the list but only moderators are allowed to post.
Post failure - invalid list password - When a list is password-protected, this message is returned when a person posting to the list provides the incorrect information.
Post failure - list disabled - This message is returned when a user attempts to post to a list that is no longer active.
Post failure - message too big - This is returned when a message posted to a list is larger than the maximum size allowed for messages.
Posted message footer - This is the footer (information at the very bottom of the message) that is displayed on messages that are sent to list subscribers. A typical footer identifies the list and includes the #UnsubscribeLink# variable.
Posted message header - This is the header (information at the very top of the message) that is displayed on messages that are sent to list subscribers.
SET MODE DIGEST response - failed - LISTSERV COMMAND ONLY. This is returned when the list command that sets the digest mode for a subscriber fails.
SET MODE DIGEST response - ok - LISTSERV COMMAND ONLY. This is returned when the list command sets the digest mode for a subscriber.
SET MODE STANDARD response - failed - LISTSERV COMMAND ONLY. This message is returned when the list command tries to set the mode for a subscriber that is not actually subscribed to the list.
SET MODE STANDARD response - ok - LISTSERV COMMAND ONLY. This is returned when the list command sets the standard mode (one email per list post) for a subscriber.
SUBSCRIBE response - double opt-in required - This message is sent to subscribers to verify their subscription request when your mailing list utilizes a double opt-in subscription model (recommended). It contains the activation link the subscriber must click to confirm.
SUBSCRIBE response - list is private - This is returned when anyone tries to subscribe to the list but the list doesn't allow for automatic subscriptions. Instead, the list owner will need to add the subscriber manually.
SUBSCRIBE response - subscribed - This is sent to a list subscriber when they subscribe to a specific list.
UNSUBSCRIBE response - This is sent to a user when they unsubscribe from a specific list.