When sending emails, you often see the option to add recipients not only in the “To” field but also in “CC” and “BCC.” While “BCC” means blind carbon copy, this post focuses on the meaning and purpose of CC in emails.
What does CC mean?
CC stands for “carbon copy”. The term originates from the days of paper communication, where carbon paper was used to create duplicate copies of documents. When you wrote on one sheet, the text transferred onto the sheet beneath using carbon paper, making a “carbon copy.”
In emails, CC allows you to send a copy of your message to someone other than the primary recipient. Everyone listed in the “To” and “CC” fields can see each other’s email addresses. CC is used to keep others informed without requiring them to reply.
Why use CC in emails?
- Keeping People Informed: CC is useful when you want to share information with people who need to stay in the loop but are not the main recipients.
- Transparency: Since all recipients can see who is CCed, it adds transparency in communication, making it clear who is included in the email conversation.
- Professional Communication: It helps maintain clarity in business communications by showing who needs to be aware of the correspondence.
- Avoiding Forwarding: Instead of forwarding an email to others after sending, CC allows all relevant parties to receive the email at once.
How to use CC
CC vs BCC
The main difference between CC and BCC is visibility. With CC, everyone sees all recipients. With BCC, addresses are hidden to protect privacy. CC is for open, transparent copying, while BCC is for discreet or private inclusion.
Conclusion
CC is a valuable email tool for sharing information transparently with multiple recipients. When used correctly, it improves communication clarity and keeps relevant parties informed in a professional manner.