What is a Safelist?

A Safelist is a membership-based email advertising system where users join a community to both send and receive promotional emails. Members agree to receive advertising messages from other members in exchange for the right to send their own promotions to the group.

Unlike traditional email marketing, safelists are opt-in communities — meaning everyone on the list has consented to receive emails. This makes them different from unsolicited spam.


What is a Viral Mailer?

A Viral Mailer is a modern variation of a safelist. It works on the same principle of mutual email exchange but usually adds credit-based or reward systems:

  • Members earn credits for reading or clicking other members’ emails.
  • These credits can be used to send more of their own promotional emails.
  • Some mailers include viral incentives like referral bonuses or upgraded memberships that boost exposure.

The “viral” aspect comes from the built-in sharing and referral mechanisms that encourage members to invite others, expanding the network and increasing reach.