opt-in vs opt-out

EQ Admin

EQ Forum Admin
Staff member
When discussing how to select which email addresses should be included in a mailing list the following comment was mentioned to me:
The opt-in method does not work, only the opt-out method works in my experience.

My response was that I believe it's best to do everything you can to protect the reputation of your mail servers and domain name, and that opt-in is more correct even if it's likely to have fewer subscribers. I don't believe it's worth the risk of spam complaints to email everyone on a list of addresses, including those who are not expecting the email, hoping it generates some extra web site visits.
 
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Big Dan

EQ Forum Moderator
When discussing how to select which email addresses should be including in a mailing list the following comment was mentioned to me:


My response was that I believe it's best to do everything you can to protect the reputation of your mail servers and domain name, and that opt-in is more correct even if it's likely to have fewer subscribers. I don't believe it's worth the risk of spam complaints to email everyone on a list of addresses, including those who are not expecting the email, hoping it generates some extra web site visits.
As an email user I wholly agree with the opt-in method. If I had a nickel for the number times some stupid site I ordered something one off from has added me to their mailing list without explicitly asking I'd be rich.

As an email sender with my forums I use the opt-out method for certain things. If you've been inactive for 30+ days we'll send you and email digest with the most recent threads to try and spark your interest again. It's two click unsubscribe so I don't feel too bad about it.
 
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