How to CC in Gmail

In today’s fast-paced digital age, effective communication is paramount, and Gmail stands at the forefront of email services. 

Among its myriad features, the “CC” (carbon copy) function plays a pivotal role in streamlining correspondence and fostering clear, collaborative conversations. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a casual email user, understanding how to CC in Gmail app will let you efficiently use Gmail for email communication.

In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the art of utilizing Gmail’s “CC” functionality to its fullest potential. We’ll also touch upon the companion feature called “BCC”. So, if you want to effectively use these simple but useful features of Gmail, keep on reading!

What does CC stand for in Gmail?

CC in Gmail, which stands for “Carbon Copy,” is a fundamental feature in Gmail and other email platforms, designed to enhance collaboration and streamline communication processes. 

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When you include someone in the CC field of an email, you are essentially sending them a copy of the email that you’re sending to the primary recipient. 

This practice dates back to the days of typewriters and carbon paper, where a copy of a document was created by placing a piece of carbon paper between two sheets of regular paper. 

In the digital age, the CC feature serves a similar purpose, allowing you to keep multiple parties in the loop without having to send separate emails to each individual.

Here is why CC in Gmail is particularly useful:

• Transparency and Communication: CC function is particularly useful when you want to keep others informed about an ongoing conversation or project. 

• Collaboration: CC can be used to ensure that all team members are aware of important updates, decisions, or discussions. 

• Courtesy and Inclusion: CC is also utilized as a courtesy when you want someone to be aware of an email exchange without actively involving them in the conversation.

CC empowers you to keep relevant parties informed, transparently share information, and maintain efficient conversations in both personal and professional contexts.

Wondering how to cc in Gmail app? We’re discussing in a bit. Keep reading!

What does BCC stand for in Gmail?

BCC stands for “Blind Carbon Copy.” This feature operates similarly to its predecessor, the carbon copy (CC), but with a distinct advantage—it ensures that recipients included in the BCC field remain hidden from both the primary recipient and any other recipients listed in the email. 

Read More: The Fascinating History of bcc’ing

How it works in the Gmail app:

When you include someone in the BCC field of an email, that individual receives a copy of the email just like CC recipients. However, their email address remains hidden from all other recipients, including the primary recipient’s email address and those listed in the CC field.

Here is why BCC in the Gmail app is particularly useful:

• BCC is particularly useful when you want to send an email to a group of people without divulging the primary recipients list. 

• BCC can also be employed to send individualized messages to multiple recipients without revealing that they are part of a larger group. 

• By using BCC for emails where a large group of recipients is included , you can prevent unintended email threads from spiraling out of control.

In essence, BCC allows you to send a copy of the email to certain individuals without revealing their identities to others, preserving a level of confidentiality and discretion.

Read More: Creating Gmail Rules for a Clean Inbox

The Difference between To, CC and BCC in Gmail

There lies a slight difference between To, CC and BCC. Here are those: 

Visibility of Recipients

To: The email address of the primary recipients entered in the “To” field is visible to all recipients of the email. This transparency ensures that everyone involved is aware of the primary recipient’s identity.

CC: Recipients listed in the “CC” field can see each other’s email addresses, including the primary recipient’s address. This visibility encourages open communication among all parties who are copied.

BCC: Unlike the “CC” field, recipients included in the “BCC” field remain hidden from all other recipients, including those in both the “To” and “CC” fields. This layer of anonymity is useful for discreet communication.

Recipient Importance

To: The primary recipient listed in the “To” field is the primary focus of the email. The content is directed towards them, and their involvement is central to the conversation.

CC: Individuals listed in the “CC” field are secondary recipients. They receive copies of the email to stay informed about the discussion but are not the main or primary recipients of the message’s content.

BCC: Recipients in the “BCC” field are akin to silent observers. They receive copies of the email without being part of the visible conversation, making this field suitable for situations where involvement needs to be discreet.

Communication Intent

To: The “To” field is used to address the primary recipient, conveying the main message or purpose of the email. It signifies the core of the communication.

CC: The “CC” field is employed to keep additional individuals informed about the communication. Recipients in this field are meant to be aware of the conversation but may not need to actively participate.

BCC: When using the “BCC” field, the intent is often to discreetly share the email with certain recipients. This is particularly useful for sending mass emails or announcements without revealing the entire recipient list.

Reply Behavior

To and CC: Replies to emails sent to both the “To” and “CC” recipients generally include multiple recipients. This can lead to an open and inclusive discussion, but it can also result in multiple recipients receiving responses.

BCC: When recipients are placed in the “BCC” field, replies are only sent to the original sender and any explicitly listed recipients. This preserves the anonymity of BCC recipients and avoids cluttering inboxes with unnecessary replies.

How to CC in Gmail

Here is a step by step guide on how to CC someone in your mail:

Log in to Gmail

Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the Gmail website. Log in to your Gmail account using your email address and password.

Click “Compose” to Start a New Email

In your Gmail inbox, locate and click the “Compose” button. It’s usually positioned in the top-left corner of the interface.

Enter the Recipient in the “To” Field

In the new email window, enter the email address of the primary recipient—the person to whom you’re primarily addressing the email—in the “To” field.

Add Recipients in the “CC” Field

Below the “To” field, you’ll see the “CC” field, which stands for “Carbon Copy.” Click on it to activate the field. Enter the email addresses of the additional recipients you want to include in the CC field. You can separate multiple email addresses with commas.

Compose Your Email

Write the subject line and content of your email in the respective fields. This is where you convey your message to the primary recipient and any CC recipients.

Review and Send

Before sending the email, take a moment to review the “To” and “CC” fields to ensure you’ve included the correct recipients. Once you’re satisfied with the email content and recipients, click the “Send” button to dispatch your email.

How to BCC in Gmail Account

Here is a step by step guide on how to BCC someone in your Gmail account:

Log in to Gmail

Open your web browser and navigate to the Gmail website. Log in to your Gmail account using your email address and password.

Click “Compose” to Start a New Email

In your Gmail inbox, find and click the “Compose” button, usually located in the top-left corner of the interface.

Enter the Recipient in the “To” Field

Begin by entering the email address of the primary recipient—the person you are primarily addressing—in the “To” field.

Add Recipients in the “BCC” Field

Below the “CC” field, you’ll see the “BCC” field, which stands for “Blind Carbon Copy.” Click on it to activate the field. Enter the email addresses of the recipients you want to include in the BCC field. Like with the CC field, you can separate multiple email addresses with commas.

Compose Your Email

Write the subject and content of your email message in the respective fields. Craft your message for the primary recipient, knowing that BCC recipients will also receive a copy.

Review and Send

Take a moment to review the “To” and “BCC” fields to ensure you’ve included the appropriate and all BCC recipients for personalized emails. Once you’re satisfied with the email content and recipient list, click the “Send” button to send the email.

Things to keep in mind when using CC and BCC

Here are the important considerations to keep in mind when using the CC (Carbon Copy) and BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) features in email communication:

Choose Relevance

CC: Just because CC in Gmail lets you include multiple recipients does not mean you should. Include individuals in the CC field who are directly related to the conversation and need to be informed. Avoid adding people who might not find the email relevant or necessary for their involvement.

BCC: Similar to CC, ensure that all your message recipients have a valid reason to receive the email. Discretion is key, as BCC recipients remain hidden from all other recipients.

Respect Privacy

CC: Keep in mind that all recipients in the CC field can see each other’s email addresses. Be respectful of others’ privacy and only share recipients email addresses when it’s appropriate.

BCC: Utilize BCC to protect the privacy of recipients who don’t need to be publicly associated with the conversation. This is especially important when sending emails to groups or mailing lists.

Avoid Information Overload

CC: Sending multiple emails along with an excessive number of CC recipients can lead to cluttered inboxes and confusion, particularly if those recipients engage in reply-all discussions.

BCC: While BCC helps maintain privacy, sending too many BCC emails at once might trigger spam filters or raise concerns with your email service provider.

Clear Communication

CC: Clearly communicate to CC recipients what their role is in the conversation. Let them know whether you expect their input, or if the email is solely for their awareness.

BCC: Consider including a brief note at the beginning of the email when using BCC. This can help the BCC recipients understand why they are receiving the email without being visible to others.

Reply Behavior

CC: Be mindful that replies to emails sent to multiple people in the “To” and “CC” fields may include all recipients, leading to lengthy email threads. Use “Reply All” selectively to avoid unnecessary emails.

BCC: Replies from BCC recipients will only go to the sender and any explicitly listed recipients. This ensures that BCC recipients’ privacy is maintained and prevents reply-all confusion.

Is CC beneficial for customer support teams?

Customer support teams when dealing with customer grievances can benefit greatly from the CC feature in Gmail. Customer support agents can use the CC feature to:

• Include their supervisor or manager in the “Cc” field of an email, which fosters transparency and accountability.

• Keep colleagues informed about ongoing conversations

• “Cc” colleagues to share successful resolution strategies or examples of exceptional customer service

These are just a few examples as more can be done with the CC feature. 

But what if there was software that provided you with this feature and more? Our very own Keeping is that software for you. Using a specialized customer service software like Keeping offers distinct advantages over relying solely on the “Cc” feature in Gmail for managing customer support interactions.

• The centralized ticket management enables support teams to track, prioritize, and manage requests more efficiently than the “Cc” feature, which relies on manual email organization.

• Instead of relying on the “Cc” field, agents can assign tickets to specific individuals, ensuring accountability and reducing the risk of overlooked requests

While the “Cc” function in Gmail offers a basic level of collaboration, Keeping offers a comprehensive solution that optimizes efficiency, collaboration, and customer satisfaction.