A switching element for the contactless activation of an electric-motor adjustment drive of a motor vehicle, in particular an electric-motor-operated liftgate, having a profile strip, which extends in a longitudinal direction. The profile strip has a channel, which extends in the longitudinal direction and which transitions into a slit, which extends in the longitudinal direction. An electrode is arranged within the channel. The invention further relates to an electric-motor-operated liftgate having a switching element and to a method for creating a switching element.