# How opt-outs, STOP replies and the blacklist work

Source: https://wassuply.com/docs/opt-outs-and-blacklist/
Updated: 2026-10-30 · Wassuply 1.0.4 for Windows and macOS

> Wassuply checks every campaign, sequence and drip message against two do-not-contact lists just before it sends: Opt-outs and the Outreach Blacklist. Opt-outs fill up automatically when someone replies with a keyword such as stop or unsubscribe, which Wassuply spots by scanning unread chats every 3 minutes by default. The Blacklist is a separate list of numbers you add yourself.

In the app: Sidebar → Broadcasts → Opt-outs

## Key facts

- Wassuply's default opt-out keywords are stop, unsubscribe, opt out, optout, remove me, dont contact and do not contact.
- Wassuply scans each connected number's chat list for unread replies every 3 minutes by default, adjustable from 1 to 60 minutes in Settings → Sending.
- Wassuply keyword matching ignores capitals but needs a whole word, so a reply of "please STOP" opts the contact out while "nonstop" does not.
- When a keyword reply is detected, Wassuply opts the number out, stops its active sequences and skips its pending campaign messages.
- Wassuply checks both Opt-outs and the Outreach Blacklist immediately before every campaign, sequence and drip message, so an opt-out added mid-campaign still stops the next send.
- Wassuply compares numbers by digits only and treats a number with and without a 1 to 3 digit country code as the same person when at least 9 digits match.

## What is the difference between Opt-outs and the Blacklist?

Opt-outs are people who asked you to stop, recorded as a status on their contact, while the Outreach Blacklist is a separate list of numbers you never want to message for any reason. Wassuply checks both before every campaign, sequence and drip message.

|  | Opt-outs | Outreach Blacklist |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Where | **Broadcasts → Opt-outs** | **Outreach → Blacklist** |
| What it stores | An Opted out status on the contact, with source, keyword and date | A number with an optional reason and the date added |
| How numbers get there | Automatic STOP replies, **Add**, **Import** or **Toggle Opt-out** on Contacts | **Add** or a pasted bulk **Import** |
| Shown on Contacts | Yes, as Opted out | No |
| Removing an entry | Sets the contact back to Active | Deletes the entry |

Use Opt-outs for anyone who asked to stop. Use the Blacklist for numbers you choose to avoid, such as competitors or people who complained.

## How does automatic STOP detection work?

Wassuply reads the chat list of each connected number every 3 minutes by default and, when an unread reply contains an opt-out keyword, opts that number out straight away.

- It checks every chat that shows an unread badge and reads the latest message preview. It never opens the chat.
- Only connected numbers whose WhatsApp session is loaded in the app are scanned. The first scan runs about 45 seconds after start-up.
- The reply is matched to a number you messaged or saved in Contacts, using the chat's number or, for a saved contact, the chat name.

### What happens when a keyword matches

- The contact is marked Opted out, or created as an opted-out contact if it was not in Contacts.
- The Opt-outs list records the source as inbound_reply and the keyword that matched.
- Active sequence enrolments for that number are stopped.
- Pending messages to that number in any campaign are skipped with the reason Opted out (replied opt-out keyword).
- You get an in-app message, a desktop notification when notifications are on, and an entry in **Activity Logs**.

### How keywords are matched

Matching ignores capitals and needs the keyword as a whole word or phrase anywhere in the reply. STOP, please stop! and stop-messaging all match; nonstop and stopwatch do not.

> **Tip:** If Wassuply cannot tell which number sent a keyword reply, for example when two saved contacts share a chat name, it does not guess. It writes Unresolved opt-out reply to **Activity Logs** and shows a Possible opt-out notification so you can opt the person out by hand.

## How do I change the keywords and scan interval?

Keywords live in **Settings → Opt-Out**, and the on/off switch and scan interval are in **Settings → Sending**.

**How to edit opt-out keywords**

1. **Open the list**: Go to **Settings → Opt-Out**. **Global Keywords** shows the current words.
2. **Add or remove words**: Type a word or phrase and click **Add**, or click the x on a keyword to remove it. Keywords are stored in lower case.
3. **Save**: Click **Save Keywords**. The new list applies from the next scan.
4. **Check the switch**: In **Settings → Sending**, keep **Auto opt-out on replies (STOP / unsubscribe)** on and set **Reply scan interval** between 1 and 60 minutes.

Detection uses this global list, so put every keyword you rely on there, including variants such as don't contact with an apostrophe. To tell people how to opt out, turn on **Enable message footer** in **Settings → Messaging** and set **Footer text**, for example Reply STOP to unsubscribe. The footer is added to campaign text messages, not to voice notes or sequence steps. See [Settings](https://wassuply.com/docs/settings/).

## Where do I see replies?

Wassuply has no separate inbox: captured replies show as a **Replied** mark in a campaign's contact list and in the **Replied** counts on the campaign detail page and Dashboard, and you read the reply itself in that number's WhatsApp view.

- Any captured reply, not only STOP, marks the contact as replied on campaigns that already sent to it.
- Sequences check for a reply before each follow-up step and stop by default; see [Sequences and drip](https://wassuply.com/docs/sequences-and-drip/).
- Opt-outs also appear in **Activity Logs** with the start of the message that triggered them.

## How do I manage the Opt-outs list?

The **Opt-out Manager** under **Broadcasts → Opt-outs** lists every opted-out contact, newest first, with Phone, Name, Source, Keyword and Date, a **Total Opt-outs** count and a search box.

- **Add** asks for a **Phone Number** and an optional **Reason**; click **Add to Opt-outs**. The reason shows in the Source column, or manual if left blank. A number not yet in Contacts is added as an opted-out contact.
- **Import** reads a .csv file and opts out every number in it, from a column headed phone, mobile or number, or else the first column. Rows with fewer than 7 digits are ignored.
- **Export** downloads optouts.csv with Phone, Name, Source, Keyword and Date for the rows shown.
- The bin icon removes a number from the list and sets the contact back to Active, so it can be messaged again.
- On the Contacts screen, **Toggle Opt-out** in the row menu and the **Opt Out** or **Restore** link do the same; see [Contacts, lists and segments](https://wassuply.com/docs/contacts-lists-segments/).

> **Caution:** Do not delete an opted-out contact from Contacts. The opt-out is stored on the contact, so deleting it removes the opt-out too.

## How do I use the Outreach Blacklist?

Open **Outreach → Blacklist** and add the numbers you never want to message; each entry holds a phone number, an optional reason and the date added.

**How to add numbers to the blacklist**

1. **Add one number**: Click **Add**, type the **Phone Number** and an optional **Reason**, such as complained or competitor, then click **Blacklist**.
2. **Add many at once**: Click **Import**, paste one number per line, optionally as `phone,reason`, and click **Import**. Numbers already on the list are skipped.
3. **Export or remove**: **Export** downloads outreach-blacklist.csv with Phone, Reason and Date Added. The bin icon deletes an entry.

Numbers are stored as typed, but matching uses digits only, so +1 (212) 555-1234 still blocks 12125551234. Blacklisted numbers are not marked on the Contacts screen. Although the screen mentions outreach campaigns, the blacklist is also checked for broadcasts, sequences and drips.

## How are opt-outs and the blacklist enforced when sending?

Wassuply checks each number against both lists immediately before every campaign, sequence or drip message, so an opt-out that arrives mid-campaign still stops the next send to that person.

- When a campaign you launch contains opted-out, blacklisted or duplicate numbers, a Preflight message shows how many are ready and how many will be skipped.
- In a running campaign, a blocked number is marked skipped with the reason Opted out / blacklisted and the campaign moves on.
- A sequence or drip enrolment stops as soon as its number is on either list, and new drip enrolments leave those numbers out.
- Sending a campaign again to chosen contacts never includes opted-out or blacklisted numbers.
- Segments and the **From Contacts** picker leave opted-out contacts out from the start.

A number saved with and without a 1 to 3 digit country code counts as the same person when at least 9 digits match, so 9876543210 on a list also blocks 919876543210. See [Broadcast campaigns](https://wassuply.com/docs/broadcast-campaigns/) for the rest of the send flow.

> **Caution:** Messages you send by hand from **Send Message** or the **Send Test Message** panel are not checked against these lists.

## Why was a STOP reply not detected?

Usually because the chat was already read, the number was not loaded, or the word was not in your keyword list.

- **Auto opt-out on replies (STOP / unsubscribe)** is off in **Settings → Sending**.
- The number was not loaded. Only loaded sessions are scanned, so raise **Warm Pool Size** in **Settings → Sending** if you run more numbers than it holds.
- Someone opened the chat before the next scan, so it lost its unread badge. Opt the number out by hand.
- The reply used a word or spelling that is not in the global list.
- Wassuply could not match the sender: look for Unresolved opt-out reply in **Activity Logs**.
- WhatsApp's chat list could not be read: **Activity Logs** shows Inbound scan failed, and Wassuply keeps retrying.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does Wassuply reply to people who opt out?

No. Wassuply records the opt-out and stops sending, but it does not send a confirmation message. If you want to confirm, reply by hand from that number's WhatsApp view.

### Can I undo an opt-out?

Yes. Remove the number on the Opt-outs screen or click **Restore** on the contact. Sequences that the opt-out stopped are not restarted.

### Does the blacklist apply to broadcasts as well as cold outreach?

Yes. Both lists are checked before every campaign, sequence and drip message, whatever the campaign type.

### How quickly is a STOP reply honoured?

On the next scan of that number's chat list, every 3 minutes by default. From that moment no further campaign, sequence or drip message goes to the number.

### Do opt-outs carry over to a new computer?

No, both lists are stored on your computer. Export them, then import optouts.csv on the Opt-outs screen and paste the blacklist numbers into the Blacklist's Import box on the new machine.

### Why should I honour opt-outs quickly?

Messaging people who asked you to stop is one of the quickest ways to get reported, and reports raise the ban risk for that number. See [Sending safety](https://wassuply.com/docs/sending-safety/) for the other habits that lower risk.

Wassuply is independent software. It is not made, endorsed or sponsored by WhatsApp or Meta.