Email: When is it a spam?

[MissieK]

Leela, my understanding of spam is that it is unsolicited bulk email - not just a single email sent.

I hate it when people just add me to their email lists - I can usually tell when they've done that because it's not my regular emails, usually one of my generic enquiry emails I have listed on one of my sites.

Melissa

[LeelaCosgrove]

Melissa, I agree entirely - I hate being added to lists without my permission.

The Spam Act doesn't say just bulk emails ... it talks about unsolicited commercial emails ... which, technically, would be anyone you approach to sell something without their asking for it ...

[ray_223]

Originally Posted by LeelaCosgrove

The Spam Act doesn't say just bulk emails ... it talks about unsolicited commercial emails ... which, technically, would be anyone you approach to sell something without their asking for it ...

Yes, 1 email sent unsolicited is consider SPAM.

[kat13]

I just had to jump in here with my latest.....a guy tried to add me as a friend on facebook, and I clicked ignore because I just didn't know who it was and couldn't connect him to anyone that I deal with.

Seconds later I got a message from him through facebook "My name is .... I want to do business with you"

I found that really annoying and unprofessional!

[ahortin]

Here's a couple of good links that I think are helpful in defining when you can/can't email people...

http://www.campaignmonitor.com/resou...ut-permission/
http://www.campaignmonitor.com/downl...lines-handout/

Although it's a bit more specific in that it relates to their email services, I think it's all relevant.

Cheers,
Anthony.

[bal1974]

This is an old thread, but I would like to reopen this...

Some of the links in this thread I looked at, and I saw following roles regarding SPAM:

They purchased something off you in the last 2 years
By making a purchase from you they have provided their permission implicitly. Feel free to email them but at the same time, we think it’s always better to ask anyway, so why not include an opt-in checkbox as part of the checkout process.

Is that still valid? I am starting a web shop up, where I am selling virus, pc-optimizer, and SPAM fighters - and it would not be great to be a SPAM provider.

I have some 30 days trial software, and I will send them 3 e-mails regarding this trail software:

1. Email with the downloading of the trial software (telling about other software I have)
2. After 26 days - sending a reminder regarding the trial, and link to the buy pages
3. 30 Days - last chance to upgrade - buy here

Is the above e-mail flow SPAM?

[John Debrincat]

Originally Posted by ray_223

That is just pure SPAM and unless you have agreed to receive it, it is illegal in Australia.

Actually that is not entirely true. Under the Spam Act there is the concept of Express Consent and Inferred Consent. Express Consent is obvious that is you agree to recieve messages. This is often a tick box on a form that you might have responded to and you gave consent.

The second, Inferred Consent, is much more open, to quote ACMA "conspicuous publication of a work-related electronic address." or "Through an existing business or other relationship".

Really the key is to always allow people to unsubscribe or opt-out of future messages and then make sure that happens. I recommend that you use a good quality message filter and you can filter both inbound and outbound messages.

A lot of people (more than you would believe in fact) send spam and don't even know it. Spam bots and other programs invade your mail system (both desktop and server) and systematically send out emails via your email address. The most heavily spammed addresses are those associated with websites and online stores so you should never have your personal email address on a website or online store. Same goes with social networks and never publicly make available your birthday or or other personal details as social networks are ripe for identity fraud.

John

[John Debrincat]

Originally Posted by bal1974

I have some 30 days trial software, and I will send them 3 e-mails regarding this trail software:

1. Email with the downloading of the trial software (telling about other software I have)
2. After 26 days - sending a reminder regarding the trial, and link to the buy pages
3. 30 Days - last chance to upgrade - buy here

Is the above e-mail flow SPAM?

If you have a set of terms and conditions associated with the free trial then part of those conditions should be that they agree to receive related communications from you. Explicit consent, not spam. If they don't buy and then you continue to send them messages it is also OK as long as you give them the opportunity to say "no more please".

[Niche]

It's simple really
If they have not opted in to your email list, it's spam

Use double opt in to be on the safe side

[SteveDavidson]

Generally, if the contact is both unsolicited and in a bulk format, it's spam. I apply this to pretty much everything, from the original Usenet definition to email to telemarketing to mailbox-stuffers.