Difference Between CC and BCC in Email
CC (carbon copy) shows all recipients who else received the email - everyone can see everyone. BCC (blind carbon copy) hides recipients from each other - no one knows who else was BCC'd. Use CC when transparency is appropriate; use BCC for privacy, large groups, or protecting email addresses from strangers.
Key Takeaways
- CC (carbon copy) is for secondary recipients who should be aware of the email but are not the primary audience.
- If a BCC'd person replies, they may accidentally reveal they received the email.
- Some email clients show 'undisclosed recipients' when everyone is BCC'd with no To address.
Explanation
CC (carbon copy) is for secondary recipients who should be aware of the email but are not the primary audience. When you CC someone, all recipients (To, CC, and other CCs) can see that person's email address. Use CC for keeping teammates informed, including supervisors for visibility, or group discussions where everyone should know all participants.
BCC (blind carbon copy) hides recipients from everyone else. BCC'd recipients see the email but their address is invisible to the To and CC recipients (and other BCC recipients). The To/CC recipients have no idea anyone was BCC'd. Use BCC for large mailings (protecting recipients' privacy from each other), protecting email addresses from strangers, or discreetly forwarding to someone.
Email etiquette matters. Never BCC someone just to secretly expose a colleague (this is poor form). Do use BCC when emailing large groups to prevent 'Reply All' chains and protect privacy. Recipients can see if they were CC'd vs BCC'd by checking the email headers.
Things to Know
- If a BCC'd person replies, they may accidentally reveal they received the email.
- Some email clients show 'undisclosed recipients' when everyone is BCC'd with no To address.
- CC and BCC terms come from carbon paper copying used in typewriters.