in a data processing system that allows the creation and transmission of distributions from a first user to a second user on the data processing system , the present invention automatically provides for the distribution an acknowledgement option based upon the contents of the distribution . the acknowledgement option causes an acknowledgement message to be sent back to the sender upon a specified event , such as the recipient receiving or acting on the distribution . after the first user has created the distribution and commanded the data processing system to send the distribution , the distribution is automatically searched for a predetermined content . if the predetermined content is found in the distribution , then a predetermined acknowledgement option is associated with the distribution . the distribution , along with the acknowledgement option , is then sent to the second user . if the predetermined content is not found , then the distribution is sent to the second user without the acknowledgement option .