What Does CC & BCC Mean In Email?

Emailing can get tricky, especially when you need to keep some recipients informed but not others. And keeping track of who receives copies of your emails can be a headache. Luckily Gmail has BCC and CC to solve this problem. These handy features, though cryptic at first glance, can be email lifesavers. Perhaps you may have too many questions- what are they, when, and how to use them? 

We got you covered. In this post, we’ll break down the meaning of CC and BCC, along with some helpful tips on when, and how to use each one. So, the next time you’re composing an email, you’ll be a confident pro!

What Does CC Mean In Email?

CC stands for “Carbon Copy.” While emailing when you add someone in the CC, it means that you are sending the email copy to that person as well. Here is the advantage: the individuals included in the CC field can view the other recipients of the email. This is useful when you want to keep someone updated on a conversation in which they are not actively engaged.

Here is an example for better understanding:

Imagine that you are working on a project with a colleague and want to keep your manager in the loop. Then you can CC your manager in your project emails to keep him informed of the timely updates. Even your colleague can see that your manager has been included in the email when you CC him. 

What Does BCC Mean In Email?

BCC stands for “Blind Carbon Copy.” While sending an email when you BCC someone, it means that you are sending that email copy to additional recipients without their knowledge. It’s interesting that the recipients are completely unaware that they’ve been included.  This is useful when you want to keep someone updated without notifying the other recipients.

Here is an example:

Think that you are organizing a surprise party for a colleague and want to keep it secret. You can BCC all the other party organizers, nobody will know they’re included, but everyone will still be informed about the party.

What Is the Difference Between CC And BCC?

Of course, both BCC and CC are used to send copies of emails to additional recipients, but the key difference lies in visibility:

• Recipients in the CC field can see all other email addresses in the To and CC fields. This transparency lets everyone know who else is receiving the email and keeps them informed.
• On the other hand, BCC recipients are kept secret. Their email addresses are not visible to anyone even those in the To and CC fields. This is useful for protecting recipient privacy or avoiding cluttering the email thread with a long list of addresses.

Here’s a table summarizing the key points for quick reference.

Feature	CC	BCC
Recipients	Secondary contact(s)	Tertiary contact(s)
Visibility	All recipients can see each other’s addresses	Recipient addresses are hidden from everyone
Response	Recipients can reply to all	Recipients won’t receive replies (unless forwarded)
Use Case	Keeping stakeholders informed, project updates	Mass emails, protecting recipient privacy

Now that you grasp Carbon Copy, Blind Carbon Copy, and their differences, let’s see when and how to use them.

When To Use CC In Email?

Here are some common scenarios where Carbon Copy can come in handy:

1. When sending a project update to team members who aren’t directly involved but need to be aware of progress.
2. Including a supervisor in an email to a client.
3. Forwarding an email to someone who might need it for future reference.
4. When introducing two people who should know each other.

[Note: Always use CC when you want to keep others informed about an email exchange. And remember, everyone in the “To” and “CC” fields can see each other’s email addresses.]

How To Use CC In Email?

Although it’s quite easy to add recipients to the CC field, the process could differ somewhat based on your email provider. Here’s a common way to go about it:

• Most email platforms have a CC field. It’s often found next to or below the “To” box when composing.
• Look for “Cc,” “Carbon Copy,” or a double-sided carbon copy icon.

• Now, insert the recipients’ email addresses. You can use commas, spaces, or “Enter” to separate multiple addresses.

When To Use BCC In Email?

Here are some typical scenarios where you can find Blind Carbon Copy helpful:

1. BCC is perfect for huge announcements and newsletters when you don’t want everyone to see everyone else’s email addresses.
2. You can BCC someone to keep them updated on a conversation without notifying the main recipients (e.g., keeping a supervisor informed on a sensitive project update).
3. BCC is a great way to include everyone in the planning stages of a surprise party without tipping off the guest of honor.

[Note: While adding someone to BCC, it’s important to be strategic about it. Also, be cautious with BCC, as it can be seen as deceptive if used inappropriately.]

How To Use BCC In Email?

Here’s how to use BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) in email:

• Many platforms display a “Bcc” box alongside “To” and “Cc” when drafting a new message.

• Some platforms hide the BCC field. Click “Options,” “Show Bcc,” or a similar menu to activate it.
• Once you’ve located the BCC field. enter the email addresses of the people you want to receive a copy of the email without disclosing their identities.

• Separate multiple addresses with commas, spaces, or by pressing “Enter” after each address.

BCC and CC – Do’s and Don’ts

Understanding how to use CC and BCC effectively can significantly improve your email communication. Take a look at these key considerations to ensure you’re adding the right recipients and keeping your emails clear.

CC	BCC
Use CC to notify key individuals about an email exchange, particularly those who should be aware of the conversation but aren’t actively engaged	Use BCC if your email includes sensitive data about someone
Include supervisors in communications with clients to ensure transparency	Use BCC for mass emails to large groups where recipients might not know each other (e.g., company announcements)
If you had included someone unexpectedly, briefly explain in the email body why were they included	If you need to keep someone informed without letting other recipients, BCC them discreetly (for example, keeping your manager updated on a critical topic)
Don’t CC anybody who doesn’t need to be kept in the loop. This may clog their inbox, making it difficult for them to discover crucial communications	Don’t forget that BCC recipients won’t receive replies to the email thread unless they are specifically forwarded the message
Don’t Overuse CC. A cluttered recipient list can make it difficult for the main recipient to identify the most important person to respond	Don’t overuse BCC. Excessive use can be seen as secretive or disrespectful

Alternatives For CC And BCC In Email

• Group Email Lists: Most email platforms allow you to create distribution lists. Add contacts that have similar needs (for example, clients under 30) and send emails to the entire group with a single click. Recipients will not see each other’s addresses.
• Project Management Tools: Use project management software for collaborative tasks. These platforms often feature internal communication tools, allowing team members to discuss work and exchange updates within the project itself.
• Shared Inboxes: Certain email providers provide shared inboxes. This enables a team to share and manage a single inbox, reducing the need to CC many persons for informative purposes.
• Mentions in Chat Applications: If your team uses a chat platform, such as Slack or Microsoft Teams, “mentioning” someone within a conversation may alert them to a specific discussion or update without cluttering their email inbox.

FAQs:

Conclusion

Finally, now you have complete knowledge of the “CC,” and “BCC” fields. So, the next time you’re crafting an email, think strategically about who needs to be directly involved and who just needs to be kept in the loop. When you use CC and BCC effectively, you can make sure that your communication is clear and prevent any accidental exposure to email addresses. Apply this knowledge in your daily interactions and see the impact it has on your email etiquette!