Email Refresher: The Difference Between CC and BCC

What Is CC in email?

The term “CC” stands for “carbon copy.” Back in the elder dark days, before the Internet or copying machines, people made multiple copies of documents by placing a piece of carbon paper between two sheets of paper. When the user wrote on the first sheet of paper, the carbon copy paper pigments would be pressed onto the second sheet, creating a copy.

How times have changed!

In the world of email, CC is typically used to send a “carbon copy” of an email’s carbon copy to a group of people, and each recipient can see a list of everyone else who received the email. It’s a convenient way to send an email to someone without needing to address them personally.

CC is especially useful for group communication when you want to send one person an email but keep a different group of employees and management alike in the loop. So, people who are CC’ed into an email thread will receive subsequent email responses if “Reply All” is used.

CC Example

Here’s an example of how to use CC, with an image supplied courtesy of howtogeek. The sender wanted to send an email to two primary recipients but felt it necessary to ensure that several other people, presumably not directly involved in the exchange, were kept informed of what was being said.

Additionally, note the existence of the BCC field. We’re going to focus on that function next.

What Is BCC in email?

BCC is an acronym for "blind carbon copy." People typically use BCC to send the email's carbon copy to multiple recipients, except each recipient can't see who is on the list of other recipients. People use BCC to send an email to many recipients but want to ensure everyone's privacy. Large organizations often use it to share announcements, newsletters, and other communication considered "impersonal."

Blind carbon copy recipients don’t receive further emails in the thread. So, for instance, if someone uses “Reply All” to respond to the original email, everyone in the “To” and “CC” boxes will receive the replies, while everyone in the “BCC” field will not.

BCC Example

Take another look at the original example image. You will see a BCC field located directly under the CC field. That's where you enter the email addresses of anyone you want to send the email to but do not disclose their existence to the CC recipients.

What is the Difference Between CC and BCC in emails?

Let’s take a closer peek at the differences between CC and BCC in emails. We'll use this handy chart to illustrate the differences via a side-by-side comparison better.

When You Should Use CC

Use CC when you want a group of people to be informed about an email conversation, even if the subject doesn't directly involve them. For example, use a CC to keep management and other relevant people in the loop, relay an urgent message, or introduce new contacts to each other.

As a real-life example, I have had email exchanges with contentious people outside of my department, but I CC'ed my boss into the thread so that he could see what was going on and verify that my tone and words weren't out of line. So yes, sometimes you can use CC to protect yourself from allegations of being unprofessional since all the manager needs to do is review the email thread that they have been CC'ed into!

The CC is also an excellent way to show the recipients precisely who else is getting the message. So it's a great way to assure transparency while also informing the relevant parties.

When You Should Use BCC

A blind carbon copy, on the other hand, is best used when you must let a significant-sized group of people know what’s going on, but with a more anonymous and impersonal approach. For instance, if you’re releasing a company-wide email about a new company event or policy.

BCC’s are great for newsletters, mass mailings, and messages sent to email subscribers. They’re also a good way to send an email without the primary recipient knowing about it. Although that may sound sneaky and dubious, there are instances where it’s warranted. For instance, it would have been appropriate to use the BCC option in the example presented in the CC section above!

And remember, BCC recipients don’t have the luxury of using “Reply All.”

What About “To”?

You may have noticed to “To” field in the image presented above. So, when do you use “To,” and when do you use “CC”? After all, they seem to accomplish the same thing, right?

Typically, corporate etiquette dictates that you place the email addresses of the primary, relevant recipient(s) in the “To” box and the other parties in the “CC” field.

So, to recap:

• To. Use this field for the primary email recipients, those with something to do with the subject at hand.
• CC. Use this field to loop in anyone who may have an interest in the subject being discussed.
• BCC. Use this field for mass mailings and newsletters and to discretely bring in possible interested parties without revealing who they are.

Making a career in project management has never been this easy! Enroll in our Post Graduate Program in Project Management to get started today!

Learn All About Project Management

Now that you know the difference between CC and BCC, it’s time to get a career that gives you many opportunities to use them! Project managers are an essential part of today's corporate workforce, and one of their duties is ensuring that every project team member communicates with each other.

If you'd like a new career as a project manager or are currently working in such an environment but would like to advance, Simplilearn has the tools you need to make your dreams a reality.

The Digital Project Manager Master’s program, ranked the #1 best online bootcamp by Career Karma, will turn you into an expert in core Project Management using courses such as PMP, Agile, and Six Sigma. In addition, the program builds awareness of the latest digital technologies with courses covering Digital Transformation, Digital Marketing, Big Data, and Data Science.

Simplilearn’s Post Graduate Program in Project Management, held in conjunction with the UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management, covers strategies and management, including concepts such  as project, program, risk, quality, complexity management, customer-centric digital transformation, PMO implementation, and Agile and Scrum skills. In addition, you will attend live online interactive classes, masterclasses from UMass Amherst, Harvard Business Publishing case studies, and participate in capstone projects.

Glassdoor says a project manager can earn a yearly average of $93,009. In addition, the demand for project managers continues to grow, with employers needing a projected 88 million professionals in project-related roles by 2027. So, if you’re interested in a new career that is firmly in demand and offers generous compensation, consider project management.

Visit Simplilearn today and start your journey to a brighter, prosperous, and more secure future!