Ixer writes:
All, and I mean all, of our clients have at some point complained about spam and junk email landing in their inboxes. Some think six a week too many and others find that number in an hour. Either way, there are some differences that should be clarified; and with some simple steps you can also reduce the number of irrelevant emails that find their way to your inbox.
Junk email and spam:
Junk mail used to be something you tripped over when you came home! That has made the digital leap to junk email. Junk email can be defined as unsolicited or promotional material. Spam may be defined as inappropriate or irrelevant material sent to indiscriminate address lists. Spamming is linked to the Internet – which allows for mass emailing to a large number of recipients. The two terms have now become interchangeable.
One important distinction is that junk email is always sent as an email. Spam, however, can be via email, text, instant message and social media platforms. So while junk email will only ever come through your email system, spam can come via many channels. Steps are being taken by mobile phone carriers to combat this - however, it still remains a problem via text.
Although many email clients, such as Outlook, may filter junk email, there are times when your inbox contains junk or spam. Additionally many email providers will filter email traffic before it gets to your client, this further reducing the amount of items that get through.
The most effective way to reduce the number of junk emails is to unsubscribe from any junk you may receive – most if not all junk mail will have this option.
Here is a succinct overview:
“To send messages to a recipient who does not want them is illegal; according to the FCC, the ‘CAN-SPAM’ law bans unwanted email messages sent to your mobile phone if they are ‘commercial messages.’ However, a commercial message — one that markets a service or product — is legal to send if the following are true: it is sent to someone who has opted into the service; it includes both clear identification of your business and contact information; and it provides a clear and free ‘opt out’ link so that users can unsubscribe. Honuor any unsubscription requests you receive.” (source: http://bit.ly/1xex5t8)
Finally, if you are unsure of the email and its veracity – there is the DEL key. If it’s important they will email again.
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