Email, as we know it today, is rooted in an older framework that has remained relatively unchanged over the years. Interestingly, many of the terms associated with email are borrowed from the days when communication relied heavily on paper. For instance, if you've ever composed an email, you've likely noticed the CC and BCC fields. But have you ever wondered, what does CC and BCC mean in email? These terms might seem outdated, but they play an important role in modern email etiquette.
What does CC and BCC mean in email?
The CC field in an email stands for Carbon Copy, while the BBC email meaning refers to Blind Carbon Copy. If these terms sound unfamiliar or seem unrelated to email, don’t worry—you’re not alone. This article will explain their context, how they came to be, and why understanding BCC functions and email etiquette can significantly improve your email game.
In the early days of written communication, creating a copy of a letter required a sheet of carbon paper placed between two sheets of paper. As you wrote or typed on the top sheet, the carbon paper would transfer your text onto the bottom sheet, producing a carbon copy. This method ensured that multiple copies of a document could be created without rewriting it by hand.
Fast forward to the digital age, and this concept carried over into email. The CC recipient in an email functions much like the carbon copy of old, allowing you to send a duplicate of your message to someone other than the primary recipient. Similarly, the BCC functions in email evolved to allow the creation of "blind" copies - copies that remain private and hidden from other recipients. That’s how the CC and BCC fields were born.
What does CC do?
The CC field allows you to send a copy of your email to additional recipients. Both the primary recipient (in the "To" field) and the CC recipients can see who else has received the email. This is especially useful when you need to keep someone in the loop or maintain transparency in professional communications.
For example: Suppose you're emailing a client with a project proposal. To keep your manager informed, you can include their email address in the CC field. This way, your manager sees the email, but everyone included in the conversation knows they’ve received it.
What does BCC do?
The BCC field stands for "Blind Carbon Copy" and is similar to CC but with one crucial difference: email addresses in the BCC field are hidden. This means that recipients in the "To" and "CC" fields won’t know who else received the email via BCC. So why use BCC? Let’s explore its practical applications:
Privacy for Multiple Recipients: When emailing a large group, such as a mailing list, using BCC prevents recipients from seeing each other's addresses. For instance, a teacher emailing all parents in a class can put their own email in the "To" field and the parents’ addresses in the BCC field, ensuring privacy.
Discreet Communication: BCC is also useful for keeping someone informed without the primary recipient knowing. For example, you can send an email to a client while keeping your personal email address in the BCC field to save a copy for your records.
When should you use CC in email?
Using the CC field is appropriate when:
- Transparency is important. For example, in professional settings, you might use CC to ensure all relevant parties are aware of the conversation.
- Keeping multiple recipients informed benefits everyone. If you're working on a collaborative project, CC allows all stakeholders to stay updated.
- You want recipients to know who else has received the email. This is often important in formal or business communication.
When should you use BCC in email?
The BCC field has a bunch of use cases. As the email addresses mentioned in the BCC field stay private and hidden, here are some examples where you can use BCC to your own advantage.
- Sending emails to large groups. Mailing lists often require privacy to avoid exposing email addresses.
- Avoiding clutter. If you’re sending an announcement to multiple recipients who don’t need to reply, BCC is ideal.
- Maintaining discretion. Whether for privacy reasons or professional strategy, BCC helps you communicate without unnecessary visibility.
What are the problems with using CC in Email?
While the CC function is helpful, it can lead to clutter and inefficiencies:
- Inbox Overload: Overusing CC can fill inboxes with redundant copies of emails, especially for recipients who don’t need to be involved.
- Wasted Storage Space: Attachments in CC’d emails are duplicated for each recipient, consuming unnecessary storage.
- Email Costs: If you use a service that charges per email sent, such as Amazon SES, including multiple CC recipients can become costly.
What are the Alternatives to CC in Email?
To avoid these issues, consider alternatives like Spark for Teams, an email client designed for collaboration. Spark allows you to share emails with your team without creating duplicates. With Spark, you can add private comments and manage conversations efficiently, reducing clutter and improving workflow.
Understanding BCC email meaning, BCC functions, and the role of CC recipients is essential for mastering modern email etiquette. Whether you’re managing mail lists or communicating with multiple recipients, using these fields correctly can make your communication more effective and professional.
Upgrade your email experience by trying Spark for free today. Enjoy seamless collaboration, improved organization, and a clutter-free inbox.
The Readdle Team 
