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The big no-go for me would be allowing you access to my gmail inbox. Google is already starting to add unsubscribe links right in the email header area [1, 2].

The big no-go for me would be allowing you access to my gmail inbox. Google is already starting to add unsubscribe links right in the email header area [1, 2]. You probably don't want to complete with them as they have a much wider insight into email patterns and can quickly come up with a much wider block list. I'm sure you take security seriously but your service would definitely be the weakest link if someone broke into your auth token database. At least, that is how I think your service works, it is not really clear, other than it works with gmail (and I'll allow you access to read emails). I'd focus on the security message here as I think this will come up a lot. A suggestion. A proxy service might work here, where I use your service and you give me a email@leavemealone.xyz, I use that email@leavemealone.xyz email to sign up to lists, then you forward email to my inbox, then I never give you access to anything. Then this will work with any email provider and you can access way more customers. [1] https://imgur.com/rPCntTK https://imgur.com/rPCntTK [2] https://support.google.com/mail/answer/8151 https://support.google.com/mail/answer/8151

jivings 8y ago
A valid concern for sure! The tokens we store are all encrypted, but you can also revoke them easily on Google's OAuth screens if god forbid we were to have a breach. I believe we can also revoke all tokens by refreshing our own Google OAuth keys. Regarding the unsubscribe within Gmail, I can't vouch for exactly how that button works, but there are three methods that are possible. 1. Subscription services can specify in the email headers that they have "one-click" unsub functionality. In which case following the link should unsubscribe you. 2. They can also specify an email address, and sending an email to should unsubscribe you (you can check this by clicking the button and then checking your sent emails). 3. They can also just specify a regular unsub link. This usually requires you to input additional info such as your email address, or a reason for unsubscribing. I don't think that Gmail will be unsubscribing you from these, and they are probably the most frequent. Leave Me Alone will try all of these methods to unsubscribe you, including filling out any forms if required. It will also show you all of your subscription emails in one place, which I don't think is possible from within Gmail.
- WestCoastJustin 8y ago
  Cool, thanks for the reply. Sorry, I am not trying to be a downer, just giving you honest feedback. I know it is extremely hard to come up with an idea, create a website, all the sketching/coding/testing, promoting it, etc. The website looks pretty slick.
  - jivings 8y ago
    No problem! Answering these types of questions and standing behind your idea is as important as a sexy looking website!
- leowoo91 8y ago
  I was worried about the difference too, I'm glad you are focusing on a single thing to make it work.
- ytjohn 8y ago
  Also, you have to open each email in gmail to use the unsubscribe link. It's not in the message list view or available as a bulk action.
gnicholas 8y ago
> Google is already starting to add unsubscribe links The Mail app on iOS also offers this. Not sure how it works, but it seems to have a high success rate in my experience.

jivings 8y ago

A valid concern for sure! The tokens we store are all encrypted, but you can also revoke them easily on Google's OAuth screens if god forbid we were to have a breach. I believe we can also revoke all tokens by refreshing our own Google OAuth keys. Regarding the unsubscribe within Gmail, I can't vouch for exactly how that button works, but there are three methods that are possible. 1. Subscription services can specify in the email headers that they have "one-click" unsub functionality. In which case following the link should unsubscribe you. 2. They can also specify an email address, and sending an email to should unsubscribe you (you can check this by clicking the button and then checking your sent emails). 3. They can also just specify a regular unsub link. This usually requires you to input additional info such as your email address, or a reason for unsubscribing. I don't think that Gmail will be unsubscribing you from these, and they are probably the most frequent. Leave Me Alone will try all of these methods to unsubscribe you, including filling out any forms if required. It will also show you all of your subscription emails in one place, which I don't think is possible from within Gmail.

WestCoastJustin 8y ago
Cool, thanks for the reply. Sorry, I am not trying to be a downer, just giving you honest feedback. I know it is extremely hard to come up with an idea, create a website, all the sketching/coding/testing, promoting it, etc. The website looks pretty slick.
- jivings 8y ago
  No problem! Answering these types of questions and standing behind your idea is as important as a sexy looking website!
leowoo91 8y ago
I was worried about the difference too, I'm glad you are focusing on a single thing to make it work.
ytjohn 8y ago
Also, you have to open each email in gmail to use the unsubscribe link. It's not in the message list view or available as a bulk action.

gnicholas 8y ago

> Google is already starting to add unsubscribe links The Mail app on iOS also offers this. Not sure how it works, but it seems to have a high success rate in my experience.