---
title: "Self-Service Email Opt-Out Preference Manager"
slug: "self-service-email-opt-out-preference-manager"
status: "new"
updated: 2026-07-21T20:44:44Z
published: 2026-07-21T20:44:44Z
canonical: "knowledge.technolutions.net/self-service-email-opt-out-preference-manager"
stale: true
---
> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.technolutions.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Self-Service Email Opt-Out Preference Manager
Use an authenticated portal to show a person the message groups they have opted out of and provide a link to manage their email communication preferences. This pattern can help users understand why they may not be receiving certain communications and gives them a self-service path to resubscribe.
> [!WARNING]
> 📝 Note
>
> The screenshots in this article use an Applicant Status Portal example, but the pattern is not admissions-specific. You can use the same general approach in any authenticated user-facing portal where the portal method query can identify the logged-in person.
> [!TIP]
> ⭐ Get Inspired
>
> This article was adapted from [a post by Technolutions staff](https://community.technolutions.net/get-inspired/post/allow-email-opt-out-re-subscribe-within-a-status-portal-IMjBXaX9WmJYpZY) in the Slate Community Forums' Get Inspired space. Have a great idea for a Get Inspired post? [Let us know](https://community.technolutions.net/get-inspired/new?post_type=gnHx7As1gZ8r6Ld)!
## Adding the portal method query exports
Add two subquery exports to the query associated with the portal method:
- `subscription-page`: Creates a link to the recipient's unsubscribe management page.
- `optout-groups`: Returns the message groups from which the person has opted out.
### Creating the subscription page export
The `subscription-page` export creates a single URL that points to the unsubscribe management page for the person.
1. Open the query associated with the portal method.
2. Add a **Subquery Export**.
3. Configure the following settings:
- **Name:** `subscription-page`
- **Output:** Concatenate
- **Row Offset:** `1`
- **Row Limit:** `1`
4. Add a join from **Person** to **Messages**.
5. Add a filter for **Message Status** in **Optout**.
6. Add a literal value for your unsubscribe management URL prefix. Replace the example host with your database URL:
```URLprefix
https://yourdatabaseurl.edu/go?r=optout&mid=
```
7. Add an export for **Messages → GUID**.
8. Select **Save.**
### Creating the opt-out groups export
The `optout-groups` export returns a dictionary that Liquid markup can loop through in the portal view.
1. Add another **Subquery Export**.
2. Configure the following settings:
- **Name:** `optout-groups`
- **Type:** Independent subquery
- **Category:** Related
- **Base:** Message Opt-Out
- **Output:** Dictionary
- **Row Offset:** `1`
3. Add a subquery filter that compares the **Message Opt-Out** recipient to the person's email address.
4. Add an export for **Message Opt-Out → Group**.
5. Rename the export `optout-name`.
6. Select **Save.**
## Adding the portal widget
Add a Static Content widget to the portal view that should display the email preference information. In the Applicant Status Portal example, the widget is named **Email Preferences**.
1. Open the portal view.
2. Add a **Static Content** widget.
3. Add a filter so the widget appears only for records with message opt-outs. In the example, the filter looks for a person with a message status in **Optout**.
4. Select **Save.**
## Adding the Static Content source
In the Static Content widget, use Liquid markup to loop through the `optout-groups` dictionary export and use the `subscription-page` merge field as the link URL.
```xml
Below is a list of your email opt-out preferences:
{% for result in optout-groups %}
{{result.optout-name}}
{% endfor %}
Manage your email communication preferences.
```
> [!NOTE]
> 💡 Tip
>
> Keep export names computer friendly so they can be referenced reliably in Liquid markup. Use lowercase names without spaces, such as `subscription-page`, `optout-groups`, and `optout-name`.
## Testing the portal display
Use impersonation to test how the widget appears for records with different opt-out states.
1. Open the portal.
2. Select **Impersonate.**
3. Search for a test record with one or more message group opt-outs.
4. Confirm that the widget lists the expected message groups.
5. Select the preference-management link and confirm that it opens the unsubscribe management page.
6. Test a record without message group opt-outs and confirm that the widget does not appear.
## Related articles
- [Opt Out of Specific Communications with Message Groups](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/en/opt-out-of-specific-communications-with-message-groups)
- [The Unsubscribe Management Page](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/en/the-unsubscribe-management-page)
- [Using Liquid Markup in Portals](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/en/using-liquid-markup-in-portals)
- [The For Tag and Liquid Looping](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/en/liquid-markup-looping)
- [Portal Security Scopes & Access Filters](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/en/portal-authentication-methods)