Branding & Emails
Customize the Magic Link Email Subject and Body
By default, Magic Link sends a fixed login email with a standard subject and message, which reads generically and cannot be edited in the free version. To write the email in your own voice, Magic Link PRO adds an Email tab at Magic Link → Settings → Email where you edit the Email Subject and Email Body and drop in placeholders that are filled in when each message is sent.
PRO feature
Editing the Magic Link email subject and body requires Magic Link PRO. The free version sends a fixed default template that cannot be customized. Logo and colour branding, however, is free — see Brand the login screen and emails.
What you can customize (PRO)
In Magic Link → Settings → Email you can edit two fields:
| Field | What it controls | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Email Subject | The subject line of the login email. | Your Magic Link for {site_name} |
| Email Body | The full message, edited in a rich-text editor. | An HTML template containing the login link and expiry details. |
Placeholders you can use
Drop any of these placeholders into the Email Subject or Email Body. Each is replaced with the real value when the email is sent:
| Placeholder | Replaced with |
|---|---|
{site_name} |
Your website name |
{user_name} |
The recipient's name |
{user_email} |
The recipient's email address |
{magic_link} |
The login link |
{expiry_time} |
The link's lifespan value |
{expiry_unit} |
The lifespan unit (minutes, hours, or days) |
Use only these placeholders. Any other text is sent exactly as written.
How to edit the Magic Link email
- Make sure Magic Link PRO is active on your site.
- Go to Magic Link → Settings → Email.
- Edit the Email Subject — keep it short and recognisable, for example
Your login link for {site_name}. - Edit the Email Body in the rich-text editor. Keep the
{magic_link}placeholder so the login link is included. - Add
{expiry_time}and{expiry_unit}if you want the message to state how long the link stays valid. - Save your changes, then send yourself a test link to confirm it reads correctly.
Why a clear email helps
A branded, well-written email is easier to trust. When the message looks familiar and explains itself, people are more likely to open it, read it, and click the login link without hesitation. A clear template helps recipients instantly understand:
- Why they received the email
- What the link is for
- What to do next
- What to do if they did not request it
This matters most for WooCommerce stores, membership sites, course platforms, customer portals, and any brand that cares about a polished experience.
Wording versus look
The Email tab changes what the message says. To change how it looks — the logo and brand colour at the top of the email — use Magic Link → Settings → Branding, which is free and applies to both the email and the login screen. See Brand the login screen and emails.
Conclusion
Customizing the Email Subject and Email Body with placeholders in Magic Link PRO turns a generic system email into a message that reads in your own voice, which lifts open and click rates on passwordless logins. Pair the wording you set here with the free logo and colour branding, and see Magic Link expiry settings to control the values behind {expiry_time} and {expiry_unit}.
FAQs
Is customizing the Magic Link email free?
No. Editing the Email Subject and Email Body is a Magic Link PRO feature, available under Magic Link → Settings → Email. The free version sends a fixed default template that you cannot change. Logo and colour branding is separate and free — that lives in the Branding tab.
What placeholders can I use in the Magic Link email?
Magic Link PRO supports {site_name}, {user_name}, {user_email}, {magic_link}, {expiry_time}, and {expiry_unit}. Each is replaced with the real value when the email is sent. Keep {magic_link} in the body so the login link is always included; any other text is sent exactly as written.
What is the default Magic Link email subject?
The default subject is Your Magic Link for {site_name}, where {site_name} is replaced with your website name. In Magic Link PRO you can overwrite this with your own wording, such as Your login link for {site_name}, from Magic Link → Settings → Email.
Can I change the logo and colour of the email here?
No. The Email tab only controls the subject and message text. To change the logo and brand colour shown in the email, use the free Magic Link → Settings → Branding tab, which styles both the email and the login screen. See Brand the login screen and emails.
How do I set how long the link in the email stays valid?
The {expiry_time} and {expiry_unit} placeholders read from your Token Lifespan setting, not from the Email tab. Change the lifespan under Magic Link → Settings → General, then the email text updates to match. See Magic Link expiry settings.