Email etiquette matters — and knowing the difference between CC and BC can save you from awkward moments. Learn how to use Blind Copy to communicate professionally and discreetly.
When sending emails, we often see two familiar fields: CC (Carbon Copy) and BC (Blind Copy). While they might seem similar, they serve different purposes — and understanding the difference can help you communicate more effectively and discreetly when needed.
📌 What Is CC?
CC stands for Carbon Copy. When you add someone in the CC field, they receive a copy of the email, and all recipients can see who else was copied in.
It’s typically used when you want to keep people in the loop without requiring them to take any direct action.
📌 What Is BC?
BC stands for Blind Copy. This works a bit differently. Anyone added in the BC field will receive a copy of the email, but other recipients won’t know they were included.
Only the sender can see who was blind copied. This can be useful for sending information discreetly or protecting recipients’ privacy in bulk emails.
📌 When Should You Use BC?
When sending a message to multiple recipients who don’t need to see each other’s email addresses.
When you want to discreetly inform a superior or colleague about an email conversation.
To protect privacy and avoid accidental “Reply All” chains.
