How to use double-opt-in with automations?

I’ll try to give the simplest scenario:

  • I’m setting up email flow on my site so that users sign up for newsletters and receive a free download (lead magnet).
  • the signup process is double-opt-in.
  • in parallel, I have an automation that delivers the free download 2 minutes after a user is added to my list.

So the question is: if someone signs up but doesn’t confirm their subscription (double opt-in), will they still receive the automation email?

To my way of thinking, they should not. From the entire system’s POV, the user is not a confirmed contact and should not receive anything.

Please confirm or deny.

I finally found the answer I was looking for.