EDITOR’S LETTER

Does Spam Arrest really want to stamp out spam? If you are like me, you received several unsolicited email notifications over the last week or two from Spam Arrest, a company seemingly interested in stamping out spam, but is going about it by employing email and marketing tactics that resemble spam.EDITOR’S LETTER

Does Spam Arrest really want to stamp out spam? If you are like me, you received several unsolicited email notifications over the last week or two from Spam Arrest, a company seemingly interested in stamping out spam, but is going about it by employing email and marketing tactics that resemble spam. In addition to receiving emails promoting their services, I also received several emails from Spam Arrest customers wanting to add me to their email lists. In order to do so, I had to click a link and enter a keyword on the site. Then I would receive several follow up emails (not just one standard confirmation) that would include links for a 30-day trial, as well as a Webmaster affiliate program.

I decided to play along, thinking that customers whose names I recognized wouldn’t be able to receive emails from me unless I clicked the link emailed to me and followed the instructions. I have no doubts that in doing so I inadvertently added myself to more “opt-in” email lists.

Curiosity getting the best of me, I decided to send an email to Spam Arrest support and hope for a return phone call or email for an interview and get to the bottom of all of this. Lo and behold, a few days later a real live representative called me! After a brief phone discussion with a guy who, in my opinion, didn’t really seem to know what he was talking about, the whole scheme became more apparent to me. This is not to say that their product isn’t legitimate – I can’t comment on that one way or another. It is more their tactics that I questioned. This is by no means exact, but to the best of my recollection, here is how the phone call went:

Me: I’m glad you called me back… it’s been a few days. Can I have a couple of minutes of your time to ask you some questions? I’m the Executive Editor for online adult Webmaster publication YNOTNews, and I’m working on a story regarding the truth behind the Spam Arrest emails. Several thousands of Webmasters will see this story, so this will be some excellent promotion for you and also help to set the record straight… Okay?

Him: Sure…

Me: Basically there has been some discussion out there about how you are allegedly spamming an anti-spam product to everyone. In fact, online UK publication The Register recently did a brief write-up regarding the Spam Arrest emails they received, which would suggest that you hit a lot of people online. Any comments about that?

Him: Well… we emailed all of our clients and everyone who has corresponded with our clients…

Me: But I’m not a client, nor do I recall doing business with any Spam Arrest clients – at least not to my recollection – but still received several of your emails.

Him: Do you mean like email notifications from clients wanting to add your email to their list?

Me: No. However, I did receive several of those as well. Anytime someone wanted to add me to their “safe” list as I took it, I received a series of emails for each person, and had to click a link in at least one of them per person, enter in a password, etc. I’m actually referring to the initial emails I received regarding the product in general.

Him: I guess I’m not understanding what you are saying…

Me: Okay… last week I received several emails regarding trying out your product, and in the emails there were also links to a 30-day trial as well as a Webmaster affiliate program. I never opted in to receiving any of this stuff. How did you get my email addresses? (I have several) If I ever did business with a Spam Arrest client, does that mean that my email addresses were automatically opted in, unbeknownst to me?

Him: I’m not really sure how that works.

Me: Okay. Well, let me ask you this. Have you had a lot of positive response yet? I notice you have a Webmaster program?

Him: Yes, we do have an affiliate program that has been making Webmasters a lot of money.

Me: Ahhh… I see. How about complaints? Are you going to be doing this campaign again in the future?

Him: Probably not.

There were a few more things we discussed, but the conversation seemed to just go in circles and we weren’t connecting. I could sense that the guy was growing more and more uncomfortable with my line of questioning, so I offered to email him a list of questions, allow him some more control, and avoid being misquoted or misunderstood.

I didn’t hear back from him… surprise, surprise.

What was the point of all this you might be wondering? All I guess I was really trying to do was to get this guy to call a spade a spade (and of course get some of my own amusement out of the process.) Plain and simple, their firm spammed the shit out of everyone, and as far as I can guess, was most likely quite successful in boosting their traffic and “client” list significantly. Alas, more proof that spam can be successful and lucrative, especially if it’s cleverly done like in this instance with Spam Arrest. My hat goes off to you, Spam Arrest. However, I do not like you and will not endorse your product. Although I’m sure the press I have given you here will still help you, regardless. Whatever…

As much as I am far more amused than annoyed here, the fact still remains that over 90% of the email I receive is spam. But I’ll get off my spam soapbox for the week, because in the final analysis, I’m through fighting it. In my opinion it’s a losing battle and a part of life like death and taxes. Besides… telemarketers and people who shove flyers under my windshield wipers annoy me infinitely more anyway.

In this week’s issue, attorney Larry Walters from FirstAmendment.com and Karen Wilder from AdultWebware return with a continuation of each of their article series dealing with newbie tips and surfer tips respectively, and returning author attorney Richard Chapo from AdultInternetLaw.com provides important legal issues regarding linking while returning author Adam from TheWHIR.com supplies an interesting report regarding hacking. Be sure to check out Mark’s (from WildOnCash) interview this week as well!

Enjoy this issue! – LAJ

Jay “LAJ” Kopita is the Executive Editor for YNOTNews and the Communications Director for YNOTMasters and can be reached at editor@ynotnews.com and jay@ynotmasters.com.