CC and BCC are two fields in email used to send copies of an email to additional recipients, but they differ mainly in visibility and privacy.
What is CC (Carbon Copy)?
- CC stands for Carbon Copy. When you put email addresses in the CC field, those recipients receive a copy of the email.
- Everyone who receives the email (in the To and CC fields) can see all the email addresses listed in these fields.
- CC is typically used to keep people informed or in the loop without expecting them to take action.
- Example:
To: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]
Subject: Project Update
This sends the email to the client and also sends a visible copy to the manager, so both know who else received it.
What is BCC (Blind Carbon Copy)?
- BCC stands for Blind Carbon Copy. Like CC, it sends a copy of the email to additional recipients.
- However, recipients in the BCC field are hidden from all other recipients (To and CC), meaning no one else knows they received the email.
- BCC is used to protect privacy, keep email addresses confidential, or discreetly inform someone without revealing their identity to others.
- Example:
To: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]
BCC: [email protected]
Subject: Project Update
The employee and team lead see each other's addresses, but neither sees that HR also received the email.
Summary of Differences
Feature| CC (Carbon Copy)| BCC (Blind Carbon Copy)
---|---|---
Visibility| All recipients see all To and CC addresses| BCC recipients are
hidden from everyone
Purpose| Keep others informed and promote transparency| Maintain privacy and
confidentiality
Typical Use| Informing additional parties openly| Sending mass emails or
confidential copies
Reply Behavior| CC recipients can reply to all| BCC recipients usually remain
passive
Using CC promotes transparency and collaboration, while BCC protects privacy and prevents exposing email addresses unnecessarily
