Unsubscribe Rate Blues? Here’s How to Calculate & Cure Them!

If you’ve ever opened your email campaign dashboard and felt your heart sink at the sight of a growing unsubscribe rate—you’re not alone.

Watching people walk away from your carefully crafted email list can be frustrating, confusing, and even a little personal.

But here’s the truth: unsubscribe rates are a natural part of email marketing. Even the best in the business lose subscribers.

What matters most is knowing why it’s happening, how to measure it correctly, and most importantly—how to fix it in a way that builds a stronger, more engaged list moving forward.

In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about unsubscribe rates:

• What’s a “normal” unsubscribe rate?
• How to calculate it (don’t worry, it’s easy)
• What high unsubscribe rates might be telling you
• Actionable strategies to turn the ship around

And yes—we’ll also show you how MailDrip.io can simplify the whole process while helping you keep your subscribers happy, engaged, and sticking around for the long haul.

Why Do Unsubscribe Rates Even Matter?

Let’s start with the obvious: when someone unsubscribes from your email list, you lose a potential customer. That’s painful. But beyond that, consistently high unsubscribe rates can signal deeper problems like:

• Irrelevant content
• Poor email frequency
• Misaligned audience expectations
• Weak onboarding or lead nurturing

Email marketing is about building relationships, not just sending messages. So, when people bow out, it’s worth asking what kind of experience they’re having—and how you can make it better.

How Do I Calculate Your Unsubscribe Rate ?(It’s Simpler Than You Think)

The unsubscribe rate formula is pretty straightforward:

Unsubscribe Rate = (Number of Unsubscribes / Number of Emails Delivered) × 100

Let’s say you sent 2,000 emails and 10 people unsubscribed.

That’s (10 / 2000) × 100 = 0.5%

That number is your unsubscribe rate for that campaign.

What’s a healthy unsubscribe rate?

Generally, anything under 0.5% is considered good. Between 0.5% and 1%, you might want to pay attention. Above 1%? Time to make some changes.

What Causes a High Unsubscribe Rate?

While every audience is different, here are the most common culprits behind unsubscribe spikes:

1. You’re Emailing Too Often (or Not Enough)

Bombarding your list daily? That’s overwhelming. Disappearing for weeks? That’s forgettable. You need a consistent cadence that respects your audience’s inbox without losing their attention.

💡 MailDrip.io lets you set up daily, weekly, or monthly email schedules with ease. Want to switch it up? No problem—your schedule is yours to control.

2. The Content Doesn’t Match What They Signed Up For

If someone signed up for blogging tips and is now getting sales pitches for SEO software, that disconnect can be jarring. Deliver what you promised, and make sure your messaging stays aligned with your audience’s expectations.

3. Lack of Personalization or Value

Nobody wants to feel like just another email address. If your emails feel generic, impersonal, or irrelevant, subscribers are more likely to opt out.

MailDrip.io offers free templates designed to help you deliver personalized, high-impact messages—without starting from scratch.

4. Poor Mobile Experience

Over 60% of email opens happen on mobile devices. If your emails aren’t optimized for small screens, readers may get frustrated—and unsubscribe.

How Do I Fix High Unsubscribe Rates (and Keep Subscribers Happy)?

1. Segment Your Audience

Not all subscribers are the same. Some are new leads, others are ready to buy, and some just want helpful content. Sending everyone the same email? That’s a recipe for unsubscribes.

MailDrip.io’s drip campaign tools make segmentation a breeze. Automatically sort subscribers based on where they are in your funnel and send content that actually fits.

2. Nail Your Welcome Email (and Onboarding)

First impressions matter. A strong welcome email sets expectations, reinforces your brand, and begins the relationship on the right foot.

💡 Try using one of MailDrip.io’s pre-built welcome email templates to speed things up and make a great impression.

3. Ask for Feedback (Really)

When someone unsubscribes, don’t just let them go—ask why. Even a simple one-question survey can give you gold.

Use insights from exit feedback to refine your messaging, adjust your frequency, or improve your offers.

4. Provide More Control

Let subscribers pick how often they hear from you. A “manage preferences” link is your friend. Some people want weekly recaps; others just want product launches. Give them the choice.

5. Clean Your List Regularly

Sometimes, it’s not about unsubscribes—it’s about disengagement. People who never open your emails aren’t helping your open rates or deliverability. Run re-engagement campaigns and remove cold contacts who aren’t responding.

How MailDrip.io Makes This Easier

Dealing with unsubscribe rates can be overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how MailDrip.io helps you take back control:

• Pay-As-You-Go Emailing: Send emails when you want, how you want, without bloated subscriptions.
• Drip Campaign Automation: Set up personalized email flows for new subscribers, leads, or customers.
• Free Templates: Save time and write better emails, even if copywriting isn’t your thing.
• Flexible Scheduling: Stay consistent with daily, weekly, or monthly sends—without burnout.
• Built-in Analytics: Track unsubscribe rates, open rates, and engagement—all in one place.

Whether you’re a solopreneur, a creator, or a growing business, MailDrip.io was built to help you succeed—without complexity or overwhelm.

FAQs

What’s the difference between unsubscribe rate and bounce rate?

• Unsubscribe rate refers to people choosing to leave your list.
• Bounce rate refers to emails that couldn’t be delivered at all (usually due to invalid addresses).

Should I worry if a few people unsubscribe?

Not necessarily. A few unsubscribes per campaign is normal. It’s only a problem if you see a consistent spike or if your rate goes above 1%.

How often should I clean my list?

Aim to clean your list every 3–6 months. Remove inactive subscribers who haven’t opened an email in that time, or run a re-engagement campaign first.

Can I re-add unsubscribed users later?

Only if they opt back in themselves. Once someone unsubscribes, it’s best to respect their decision unless they choose to rejoin your list.

Conclusion

Every email list has its ups and downs. Unsubscribes are part of the game—but they’re also a chance to learn, adapt, and grow.

When you understand what’s driving people away, you can take real steps to improve their experience and strengthen the connection with the audience that does want to hear from you.

MailDrip.io is here to help you do just that—with tools that make email marketing easier, smarter, and more human.

Ready to cure your unsubscribe rate blues—once and for all?

What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to keeping subscribers engaged? Let’s talk in the comments below.