Is Spamming Illlegal?

[taschevapartner]

There are a lot of great ways to promote your business online without spamming. Why you would like to be annoying. Illegal or not - everybody hates spam, so i'ts not a good idea to be part of this problem.

[stephengfm]

Originally Posted by taschevapartner

There are a lot of great ways to promote your business online without spamming. Why you would like to be annoying. Illegal or not - everybody hates spam, so i'ts not a good idea to be part of this problem.

Are ads on Google Spam?

[taschevapartner]

Originally Posted by stephengfm

Are ads on Google Spam?

I don't think so. But it's true that sometimes are annoying.

[stephengfm]

Then what is spam as you define it?

[taschevapartner]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_(electronic) wikipedia does it for me

[stephengfm]

Google ads appear to be spam by definition.

[GMT]

Email spam in terms of sending email to parties that didn't opt in or otherwise give you permission to contact them is illegal in the US. But spam that's not email related is not illegal in the US. Many marketers who are making serious money send hundreds of thousands to millions of emails a day, but it's all legal because the end users opt'd in and every email has a opt out link which should be honored. Email marketing is easily the #1 way to make big money online, so don't see it as something to distance yourself from, just do it right and there's no worries. Most recommend aweber to send out emails to consumers but there's free alternatives like mailchimp etc...too. The beauty of email marketing is

1) it's not effected by Googles tantrums(which I think is awesome )
2) you don't have to wait for potential consumers to come to you(like a website) you can "go to them" by emailing them anytime you want, which is fantastic "fast" money for new product/service etc...launches
3) It's incredibly easy to maintain and grow! No SEO worrying non-sense, no outsourcing and waiting months, none of that, it cuts out all the middle man stuff and gets to the quality

So start building a list today, if you haven't, make sure they're all optin and again have opt-out link in all emails that you automatically honor and make that big $$$ like many others are.

[snakeair]

Originally Posted by stephengfm

Google ads appear to be spam by definition.

Why do you say that?

So you saying that all search engines are spamming since they use ads?

[stephengfm]

Originally Posted by snakeair

Why do you say that?

So you saying that all search engines are spamming since they use ads?

Spam is the use of electronic messaging systems to send unsolicited bulk messages indiscriminately. - according to the WIKI article linked to in this thread.

[SimpleMan]

Originally Posted by stephengfm

Spam is the use of electronic messaging systems to send unsolicited bulk messages indiscriminately. - according to the WIKI article linked to in this thread.

So how, again, does that make google ads spam?

[stephengfm]

Originally Posted by SimpleMan

So how, again, does that make google ads spam?

As I am on my computer, Google sends me electronic messages via their system, which are unsolicited, are in bulk, and are indiscriminate.

[SimpleMan]

Originally Posted by stephengfm

As I am on my computer, Google sends me electronic messages via their system, which are unsolicited, are in bulk, and are indiscriminate.

I think to be compliant with googles TOS sites have to post in their policies something along the lines of you agree to receive messages by using their site or something along those lines.....

[Bob Barr]

Originally Posted by SimpleMan

So how, again, does that make google ads spam?

Perhaps if you define the entire internet as a huge "electronic messaging system".

In one sense it is, since all internet traffic is based on messages being sent from one computer to another.

On the other hand, the ads are neither "bulk" nor "indiscriminate" since the message that carries them is going to only one user and is being sent in response to his (actually, his browser's) request.

[snakeair]

Originally Posted by stephengfm

As I am on my computer, Google sends me electronic messages via their system, which are unsolicited, are in bulk, and are indiscriminate.

Really? What they about?

The only time i get a email is when they send me one with adsense tips. I do get a lot of fake Paypal emails and other business which are fake emails but the scammer did a great job in making it look legit.

Could be some phishing emails. Take this for example in using adwords as an example: http://support.google.com/adwords/bi...answer=2375460

Getting back on topic a little here.

Thread creators post is below:

Originally Posted by ivedtara

I get about 20-30 spam emails every day. Is spamming legal? Is it being enforced? I am looking for ways to advertise my site. Can I start spamming people with advertisement? Even if it is not technically allowed, do you think I will get into trouble for sending emails to other with advertisement?

[stephengfm]

Originally Posted by SimpleMan

I think to be compliant with googles TOS sites have to post in their policies something along the lines of you agree to receive messages by using their site or something along those lines.....

Regardless of any TOS, it still qualifies under the definition.

By the way, did I bargain for that TOS, when I went to their website?

[snakeair]

Originally Posted by stephengfm

Regardless of any TOS, it still qualifies under the definition.

By the way, did I bargain for that TOS, when I went to their website?

Well if you have proof then report them and let us know how that goes.

[SimpleMan]

Originally Posted by stephengfm

Regardless of any TOS, it still qualifies under the definition.

By the way, did I bargain for that TOS, when I went to their website?

You essentially are agreeing to the websites TOS when you visit it.



----------------------------------------------------------------------




To OP: I agree with others here. If I have even been previously considering doing business with a company and before I make my decision, I get something kind of "spammy" from them, my decision is made then and there. I'll go elsewhere. I think if you have a legitimate business, spamming will most definitely do more harm than good!

[SimpleMan]

Another thing I would like to bring up as I think it is closely related..... Even if you are legitimately mailing people (ie you have their permission to do so), don't abuse that! Example: I love Papa Johns pizza! I order online a lot. I get 2-3 emails per day! Some of them, I'll take them up on the specials and get great discounts but to me, the dollar or two it saves me isn't worth seeing the damn emails everyday! I've opted out. I wish their pizza wasn't so delicious or I'd stop doing business with them just to prove a point. lol

[stephengfm]

Originally Posted by SimpleMan

You essentially are agreeing to the websites TOS when you visit it.

So if I visit an unknown site and the site's TOS says that I must send them a check for $1000 dollars, then I have agreed to that Term in the TOS?

That reasoning is ludicrous.

[SimpleMan]

Originally Posted by stephengfm

So if I visit an unknown site and the site's TOS says that I must send them a check for $1000 dollars, then I have agreed to that Term in the TOS?

That reasoning is ludicrous.

Rest easy apparently you don't HAVE to be "spammed" by them.