Differences between Bcc and Cc

Bcc vs. Cc

In email communication, Cc and Bcc are fields used to send copies of a message to recipients other than those listed in the "To" field. The terms originate from the practice of using carbon paper to create copies of physical documents. While both serve to keep additional parties informed, their primary difference lies in the visibility of recipient email addresses.

Cc stands for "carbon copy," and its function is to send a copy of an email to secondary recipients in a transparent manner. When an individual is "Cc'd" on a message, their email address is visible to all other recipients, including those in the "To" and other Cc fields. This is commonly used to keep team members, managers, or stakeholders informed of a conversation without them being the primary addressee. The expectation is generally that Cc'd recipients are not required to take direct action or reply.

Bcc, or "blind carbon copy," sends a copy of the message to tertiary recipients while keeping their identities private. Email addresses entered into the Bcc field are not visible to the primary ("To") or secondary ("Cc") recipients, nor are they visible to other Bcc'd individuals. This feature is primarily used to protect the privacy of recipients, especially when sending emails to a large list of people who do not know each other. It prevents the exposure of personal contact information and can help reduce the chances of recipients receiving spam or unnecessary "Reply All" responses. While Bcc recipients receive the initial email, they are not included in subsequent replies within the email thread unless they are manually added again. The use of Bcc can sometimes be viewed as unethical if it is used to secretly include a third party in a conversation that the primary recipient believes is private.

Comparison Table

Category	Cc (Carbon Copy)	Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy)
Recipient Visibility	Email addresses are visible to all other recipients.	Email addresses are hidden from "To," "Cc," and other "Bcc" recipients.
Primary Purpose	To keep others informed transparently ("in the loop").	To protect recipient privacy or discreetly share information.
Reply-All Behavior	Cc'd recipients are included in "Reply All" responses.	Bcc'd recipients are not included in "Reply All" responses from others. A Bcc recipient who "Replies All" will reveal their inclusion to the original sender and all "To" and "Cc" recipients.
Common Use Cases	Project updates, team communication, keeping management informed.	Mass mailings (e.g., newsletters), sending to a list of people who don't know each other, discreetly copying a third party.
Transparency	Promotes open communication and collaboration.	Maintains confidentiality; can be seen as lacking transparency in some contexts.
Privacy	Does not maintain the privacy of recipients' email addresses.	Protects the privacy of recipients' email addresses.

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Bcc and Cc

Etiquette and Considerations

Proper use of Cc and Bcc is a key aspect of email etiquette. The Cc field should be used when it is important for all parties to know who is being kept informed. However, including too many people in the Cc field can lead to inbox clutter and confusion over who is expected to act.

The Bcc field is the preferred method for sending emails to large groups of recipients who are not acquainted, such as for newsletters or announcements. This protects their personal information. Using Bcc to secretly loop in a supervisor or third party on a sensitive matter can be problematic, as it may erode trust if discovered. If a Bcc'd recipient uses the "Reply All" function, their previously hidden presence is revealed to everyone on the "To" and "Cc" lists, which can lead to awkward situations.