The word "opt in" is often used in digital marketing to refer to the act of choosing to receive communications or information from a company. The spelling of "opt in" is straightforward, with the "p" sound in "opt" pronounced as an unaspirated voiceless bilabial stop ([ɑpt]), and the "in" pronounced with a voiced velar nasal ([ɪn]). The combination of these two sounds produces the phonetic transcription /ɑpt ɪn/, with stress on the first syllable.
Opt in, in its simplest form, is an agreement or choice made by an individual to actively participate or get involved in a particular activity, system, or service. It involves giving explicit consent or permission for something to happen or allowing oneself to be included in a specific action or process.
Usually applied in the context of marketing or technology, opting in refers to willingly subscribing or indicating interest in receiving communications, notifications, or updates from a company or organization. This could include subscribing to a newsletter, joining a mailing list, or receiving promotional materials. By opting in, individuals express their desire to be included and receive information, offers, or benefits.
Opting in often requires the individuals to actively take an action, such as ticking a checkbox, clicking an "I Agree" button, or filling out an online form. This ensures that the decision to opt in is voluntary and explicit.
The opposite of opting in is opting out, where individuals choose not to participate or be involved in a particular activity or service. Opting out involves actively unsubscribing or withdrawing consent to receive further communications or be included in a specific process.
Overall, opt in is a key concept in various fields, signaling an individual's willingness to engage, receive, or be a part of something specific, while respecting their right to privacy and choice.
The word "opt in" originated from the combination of two separate words: "opt" and "in".
"Opt" is a shortened form of the word "optative", which came from the Latin term "optātīvus", meaning "wishing, desiring". It entered the English language in the mid-19th century.
"On the other hand, "in" is a preposition derived from the Old English word "inn", which was used to indicate a state of being enclosed or surrounded by something.
The two words were combined to form the phrase "opt in", which has been commonly used since the late 20th century. It refers to the action of choosing or deciding to participate in something, usually referring to voluntarily joining a program, receiving communication, or sharing information.