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> I think this is a myth. The unsubscribe link, from everything I've seen since CAN-SPAM a decade ago, almost always works. Define "works"? Does clicking "unsu

by lutusp 13y ago

> I think this is a myth. The unsubscribe link, from everything I've seen since CAN-SPAM a decade ago, almost always works. Define "works"? Does clicking "unsubscribe" for advertiser A stop mails from advertiser A? Yes, probably. But what stops advertiser A from sharing his unsubscribe list with advertiser B? Well, nothing -- it's legal and an advantage if advertiser B reciprocates by sharing his list right back. There's nothing to keep an advertiser from sharing his "unsubscribe" list with any number of other advertisers -- the only legal requirement is that he not mail you again.

eli 13y ago
A list of people who unsubscribe from mailing lists would be the least valuable list in the world. I can't imagine anyone knowingly paying money for that. What you describe is possible, but I really don't think it's at all common.
- lutusp 13y ago
  You aren't thinking like a spammer. A spammer only cares that the addresses on his list are read by humans. And the possible uses for a list of live human readers isn't limited to spam -- there's also phishing to consider. Someone who recognizes spam and clicks "unsubscribe", after a few days might react differently to an e-mail apparently from Microsoft's security department alerting the user that, since Windows XP is about to drop dead, Microsoft has decided to protect the user with a special security update -- just click the handy link. Spammers might be deplorable and slimy, but they're not stupid. > What you describe is possible, but I really don't think it's at all common. If it can be done, spammers will do it. I can see you're having a hard time thinking like a bottom-feeder, perfectly understandable, so to help your comprehension, I offer the Miracle Man scam: http://arachnoid.com/equities_myths/#Miracle_Man http://arachnoid.com/equities_myths/#Miracle_Man

by lutusp 13y ago

eli 13y ago

A list of people who unsubscribe from mailing lists would be the least valuable list in the world. I can't imagine anyone knowingly paying money for that. What you describe is possible, but I really don't think it's at all common.

lutusp 13y ago
You aren't thinking like a spammer. A spammer only cares that the addresses on his list are read by humans. And the possible uses for a list of live human readers isn't limited to spam -- there's also phishing to consider. Someone who recognizes spam and clicks "unsubscribe", after a few days might react differently to an e-mail apparently from Microsoft's security department alerting the user that, since Windows XP is about to drop dead, Microsoft has decided to protect the user with a special security update -- just click the handy link. Spammers might be deplorable and slimy, but they're not stupid. > What you describe is possible, but I really don't think it's at all common. If it can be done, spammers will do it. I can see you're having a hard time thinking like a bottom-feeder, perfectly understandable, so to help your comprehension, I offer the Miracle Man scam: http://arachnoid.com/equities_myths/#Miracle_Man http://arachnoid.com/equities_myths/#Miracle_Man