# Create a User Preferences Form (Premium)

This guide walks you through creating a **Gravity Form** that acts as a
customizable preferences or unsubscribe page. Premium users can use this
to give recipients more control over which messages they receive, pause
emails, or unsubscribe completely.

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### Step 1: Create the Form

1.  In your WordPress dashboard, go to **Forms → New Form**.
2.  Give your form a clear name like *Email Preferences* or *Manage
    Subscriptions*.
3.  Add the following fields:
    - **Email Field (Required)** – Used to identify and prefill the
      user’s email address.
    - **Pause Until Field (Optional)** – Can be a *Date* or *Number*
      field. Determines how long a user’s subscription is paused.
    - **Control Field (Optional)** – A *Checkbox*, *Radio*, *Select*, or
      *Multi-Select* field that lets users choose which topics or lists
      they want to unsubscribe from (e.g., *Marketing*, *Updates*,
      *Events*).
4.  Save your form.

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### Step 2: Embed the Form on a Page

1.  Create a new page (or use an existing one) titled something like
    **Manage Your Preferences**.
2.  Embed your form using the Gravity Forms block or shortcode.
3.  Publish the page.
4.  Copy the page URL — you’ll need it in the next step.

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### Step 3: Configure the Unsubscribe Settings

1.  Go to **Mass Email → Settings → Unsubscribe Settings**.
2.  Choose **Use a Gravity Form landing page** as your **Method**.
3.  In the new fields that appear:
    - Select your **Unsubscribe/Preferences Form**.
    - Choose the **Email Field** from that form.
    - (Optional) Choose your **Pause Until Field**.
    - (Optional) Select your **Control Field** if users should be able
      to choose which types of messages to keep.
    - Enter your **Unsubscribe Page URL** (the page where the form is
      embedded).
4.  Customize your **Form Link Text** (e.g., *Manage Preferences* or
    *Update Settings*).
5.  Save your settings.

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### Step 4: Add Merge Tags to Your Email Feed

When the Gravity Form method is active, the following merge tags become
available in your feed:

- **{menfgf_unsubscribe_form_url}** – Generates the full unsubscribe or
  preferences URL that leads to your custom Gravity Form.
- **{menfgf_unsubscribe_form_link}** – Generates a clickable link to your
  preferences form using the link text from your settings.

You can also use the general unsubscribe merge tags:
- **{menfgf_unsubscribe_url}** – Generates the standard unsubscribe URL.
- **{menfgf_unsubscribe_link}** – Generates a clickable standard
  unsubscribe link.

> One of these merge tags **must** be used in your email template to
> ensure proper functionality.

You can use them like this:

> *Click {menfgf_unsubscribe_form_link} to manage your preferences or
> {menfgf_unsubscribe_link} to unsubscribe immediately.*

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### Step 5: Test the Workflow

1.  Send a test email to yourself.
2.  Click the link to ensure the page loads and your email address is
    prefilled.
3.  Submit the form and verify that your status updates correctly in
    the **Suppressions** tab.
4.  Adjust labels or text in your form as needed.

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### Best Practices

- Keep the form simple—avoid unnecessary fields.
- Use clear labels like *Pause Emails Until* or *Unsubscribe from
  Marketing Messages*.
- Consider including a brief note reminding users that changes take
  effect immediately.
- Test across multiple devices to ensure a smooth experience.

Your preferences form is now ready. Every recipient can manage their
subscriptions easily without needing support intervention.
