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The definition is not "unsolicited commercial email", it's "unsolicited and bulk." In your example, if you send the same email to every address you collect by

by agwa 13y ago

The definition is not "unsolicited commercial email", it's "unsolicited and bulk." In your example, if you send the same email to every address you collect by hand, it would be spam. But if you send a different email to each recipient, actually making it relevant to the recipient's identity, then it is not spam[1]. (You're likely to get a much better response rate too!) If the OP's service wasn't focused on email addresses, and instead enabled the user to research similar blogs and tailor an individual outreach to each one, then it would not be a spam enabler. [1] Edited to add: this is per the definition from Spamhaus. According to lutusp's comment below, the legal definition in CAN-SPAM is different. IANAL.

lutusp 13y ago
> But if you send a different email to each recipient, actually making it relevant to the recipient's identity, then it is not spam. Don't mislead your readers on legal issues. If the e-mail is unsolicited and doesn't contain an opt-out link, in most cases it meets the legal definition of spam and violates the Can-Spam Act.
- agwa 13y ago
  Thanks for pointing that out; I edited my comment to reference yours. To be clear, I am not claiming to inform anyone on legal issues, but rather on the industry definition of spam that's used by blacklists and email providers worldwide. Unfortunately, we must still obey applicable law even when it's totally stupid.
- talkingquickly 13y ago
  Not a lawyer so don't count this as advice but as far as I know, there's no requirement under can-spam to provide an opt out link, just that you make it clear they can opt out (e.g. by replying). [1][2] That's a big difference if you're using database's such as the OP to find contacts to email personally and individually but in a commercial context. I might be missing something with can-spam though? [1] http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-com... [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAN-SPAM_Act_of_2003 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAN-SPAM_Act_of_2003
  - lutusp 13y ago
    > Not a lawyer so don't count this as advice but as far as I know, there's no requirement under can-spam to provide an opt out link Source: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/spam-unwanted-text-messages-and-email http://www.fcc.gov/guides/spam-unwanted-text-messages-and-em... Quote: "Opt-Out – The email must provide easily-accessible, legitimate, and free ways for you to reject future messages from that sender" Not "allude to", not "hint at", not "suggest." The law requires that the sender's email message provide an opt-out method. > just that you make it clear they can opt out (e.g. by replying). Absolutely false and universally discouraged -- never reply to a spam e-mail. > That's a big difference if you're using database's such as the OP to find contacts to email personally and individually but in a commercial context. Spam is spam, and it is clearly defined in the law. The reason for spamming the victims is irrelevant. > I might be missing something with can-spam though? I'll say.
    - monkeyspaw 13y ago
      I would consider saying "please reply to this message to unsubscribe" easily accessible, legitimate, and free. I think spam is more complex than just saying "spam is spam". Especially in b2b (see the other comment about pharmaceutical reps). There is a factor that includes relevance (negative correlation with spam). Another factor is automation versus doing it by hand. Another factor is the intent of the person who publishes their email. Another factor is whether the sender stops sending messages once requested. Another factor is the existence of a previous relationship. Anyhow, I have one more question: can any message that is sent without automation (i.e., I type the message specifically to a recipient) be considered spam?
      - lutusp 13y ago
        > I would consider saying "please reply to this message to unsubscribe" easily accessible, legitimate, and free. You're missing the point that by replying, the recipient establishes a relationship with the spammer -- he confirms that his is a working e-mail address, and he invites more mailings to that address. This is why security professionals warn to never reply to a spam e-mail. "Don't Reply to Spam - Spam Control Tip": http://www.hoax-slayer.com/don't-reply-spam.html http://www.hoax-slayer.com/don't-reply-spam.html "Don't Respond to Spam: Here's Why": http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2376031,00.asp http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2376031,00.asp > I think spam is more complex than just saying "spam is spam". It's very clearly defined, so there's no mystery about it. That's why I say it that way. > Anyhow, I have one more question: can any message that is sent without automation (i.e., I type the message specifically to a recipient) be considered spam? Yes, of course it can. Why? Because if that were accepted, spammers would hire poor third-world people to type out spam messages at one cent per message or less. Therefore, any unsolicited e-mail, meaning sent to someone who hasn't invited it, is spam.
monkeyspaw 13y ago
Gotcha, thanks for the clarification. I agree with you on the email personalization, btw -- response rates skyrocket when an email is personally written, even if it has common snippets. My personal hope is that we're entering an era where bulk and unsolicited email has such a low response rate compared to sending personalized emails that people will realize this and go for what's more profitable. My cynical side says there will always be bottom feeders who take the easy route, even if they make less money.

by agwa 13y ago

lutusp 13y ago

> But if you send a different email to each recipient, actually making it relevant to the recipient's identity, then it is not spam. Don't mislead your readers on legal issues. If the e-mail is unsolicited and doesn't contain an opt-out link, in most cases it meets the legal definition of spam and violates the Can-Spam Act.

agwa 13y ago
Thanks for pointing that out; I edited my comment to reference yours. To be clear, I am not claiming to inform anyone on legal issues, but rather on the industry definition of spam that's used by blacklists and email providers worldwide. Unfortunately, we must still obey applicable law even when it's totally stupid.
talkingquickly 13y ago
Not a lawyer so don't count this as advice but as far as I know, there's no requirement under can-spam to provide an opt out link, just that you make it clear they can opt out (e.g. by replying). [1][2] That's a big difference if you're using database's such as the OP to find contacts to email personally and individually but in a commercial context. I might be missing something with can-spam though? [1] http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-com... [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAN-SPAM_Act_of_2003 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAN-SPAM_Act_of_2003
- lutusp 13y ago
  > Not a lawyer so don't count this as advice but as far as I know, there's no requirement under can-spam to provide an opt out link Source: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/spam-unwanted-text-messages-and-email http://www.fcc.gov/guides/spam-unwanted-text-messages-and-em... Quote: "Opt-Out – The email must provide easily-accessible, legitimate, and free ways for you to reject future messages from that sender" Not "allude to", not "hint at", not "suggest." The law requires that the sender's email message provide an opt-out method. > just that you make it clear they can opt out (e.g. by replying). Absolutely false and universally discouraged -- never reply to a spam e-mail. > That's a big difference if you're using database's such as the OP to find contacts to email personally and individually but in a commercial context. Spam is spam, and it is clearly defined in the law. The reason for spamming the victims is irrelevant. > I might be missing something with can-spam though? I'll say.
  - monkeyspaw 13y ago
    I would consider saying "please reply to this message to unsubscribe" easily accessible, legitimate, and free. I think spam is more complex than just saying "spam is spam". Especially in b2b (see the other comment about pharmaceutical reps). There is a factor that includes relevance (negative correlation with spam). Another factor is automation versus doing it by hand. Another factor is the intent of the person who publishes their email. Another factor is whether the sender stops sending messages once requested. Another factor is the existence of a previous relationship. Anyhow, I have one more question: can any message that is sent without automation (i.e., I type the message specifically to a recipient) be considered spam?
    - lutusp 13y ago
      > I would consider saying "please reply to this message to unsubscribe" easily accessible, legitimate, and free. You're missing the point that by replying, the recipient establishes a relationship with the spammer -- he confirms that his is a working e-mail address, and he invites more mailings to that address. This is why security professionals warn to never reply to a spam e-mail. "Don't Reply to Spam - Spam Control Tip": http://www.hoax-slayer.com/don't-reply-spam.html http://www.hoax-slayer.com/don't-reply-spam.html "Don't Respond to Spam: Here's Why": http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2376031,00.asp http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2376031,00.asp > I think spam is more complex than just saying "spam is spam". It's very clearly defined, so there's no mystery about it. That's why I say it that way. > Anyhow, I have one more question: can any message that is sent without automation (i.e., I type the message specifically to a recipient) be considered spam? Yes, of course it can. Why? Because if that were accepted, spammers would hire poor third-world people to type out spam messages at one cent per message or less. Therefore, any unsolicited e-mail, meaning sent to someone who hasn't invited it, is spam.

monkeyspaw 13y ago

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification. I agree with you on the email personalization, btw -- response rates skyrocket when an email is personally written, even if it has common snippets. My personal hope is that we're entering an era where bulk and unsolicited email has such a low response rate compared to sending personalized emails that people will realize this and go for what's more profitable. My cynical side says there will always be bottom feeders who take the easy route, even if they make less money.