Sales Loves MarketingA recipient is whoever a message is sent to. In email, that means every address in the To, Cc or Bcc field. In email marketing, the recipients are the subscribers on your email list who get a campaign.
What are To, Cc and Bcc recipients?
The email standard (RFC 5322) defines three recipient fields:
| Field | Who goes here | Visible to others? |
|---|---|---|
| To | The primary recipients | Yes |
| Cc (carbon copy) | Others who should receive the message | Yes |
| Bcc (blind carbon copy) | Recipients whose addresses should stay hidden | No |
Use Bcc when you write to people who don't know each other and shouldn't see each other's addresses.
How do you add several recipients to an email?
Type each address into the To, Cc or Bcc field and separate them with a comma or semicolon, depending on your email client.
What are the recipient limits in Gmail and Outlook?
Email providers cap how many recipients you can reach, to stop mailboxes being used for spam. These figures were checked on October 31, 2026. Providers change them without notice.
Personal Gmail accounts
- More than 500 recipients in one email, or more than 500 emails in a day, can trigger a sending-limit error. You can usually send again within 1 to 24 hours.
Google Workspace (business Gmail)
- Recipients per message (To, Cc and Bcc combined): 2,000, of which at most 500 external.
- Recipients per message sent by SMTP from POP or IMAP users: 100. Through the Gmail API: 500.
- Messages per user per day: 2,000 (500 for trial accounts).
- Total recipients per day: 10,000. External recipients per day: 3,000.
- Unique recipients per day: 3,000, of which 2,000 external (500 external for trial accounts).
Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online)
- Recipients per message: customisable up to 1,000.
- Recipients per mailbox per day: 10,000.
- Messages per minute: 30.
Microsoft states that Exchange Online isn't suited to bulk mailing. These caps are designed for person-to-person email, so send newsletters and campaigns through an email marketing platform instead.
How do you get more email marketing recipients?
Every recipient on a marketing list should have agreed to hear from you. Gmail's sender guidelines say to send only to people who signed up, confirm each address, and never buy lists. Ways to grow a list the right way:
- Website sign-up forms with a clear call to action, and no pre-ticked boxes.
- A dedicated subscription page you can share on social media and in your email signature.
- Existing customers, asked for permission to send updates.
- Useful content such as an e-book or checklist offered in exchange for an address. See lead magnet.
- Events and webinars, where attendees can opt in when they register.
Follow anti-spam laws such as CAN-SPAM in the US and GDPR in the EU. Under CAN-SPAM, for example, every marketing email needs a working way to opt out, and opt-outs must be honoured within 10 business days.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between To, Cc and Bcc recipients?
To holds the primary recipients. Cc (carbon copy) holds others who should receive the message, and everyone can see those addresses. Bcc (blind carbon copy) holds recipients whose addresses are not revealed to the other recipients.
How many recipients can I add to one Gmail message?
A personal Gmail account can show a sending-limit error if one email goes to more than 500 recipients in total. In Google Workspace, one message can have up to 2,000 recipients across To, Cc and Bcc, of which at most 500 external. Google says these limits can change without notice.
How many recipients can one Outlook message have in Microsoft 365?
In Exchange Online, the per-message recipient limit can be set up to 1,000 recipients, and each mailbox can send to up to 10,000 recipients per day. Microsoft notes that Exchange Online is not suited to bulk mailing.
Should I send marketing email to many recipients from Gmail or Outlook?
No. Personal and work mailboxes have daily caps and are built for person-to-person email. Use an email marketing platform that handles opt-in, unsubscribes and sender authentication.