One of the best ways to avoid SPAM complaints is to use something called a Double Opt-In Request. A Double Opt-in is exactly what the name implies. It is basically a double confirmation system. You are going to require the user to take two separate confirmation actions before you add them to your mailing list.
The first action requires the user to click on a link. The link may be on a webpage on a link exchange, a link in a search engine, or even a link embedded in an e-mail message. This link will open a browser window and take the user to the sign-up page where they can fill out the sign up form. Once the user fills out the form and clicks the “Submit” button their request to be added to the list is added to your database in a “pending confirmation” status. The system then forwards an e-mail to the user requesting to be added at the email address they just provided.
The e-mail that is sent to the user says that this is a confirmation request. The email message also contains instructions to click on a confirmation link contained within the e-mail message. All the user has to do in order to confirm that they really do want to be added to the list is to click the link in the e-mail message.
The user receives the e-mail message, opens it, and clicks on the enclosed link to confirm that they truly do want to be added to your list. This second confirmation will cause the user’s entry in your database to be changed from “pending confirmation” to “confirmed”.
You may now begin sending messages to this user.
You will find the use of Double Opt-In confirmations very useful. Particularly if you are working with affiliate program(s) that pay sign-up and recurring commissions when you refer subscribers to someone else’s subscription website(s), of refer a consumer wishing to purchase product(s) and are to be paid commissions.
This system is also extremely valuable in protecting yourself from SPAM allegations/complaints under the new anti-spam laws when a user, who used the double opt-in system to subscribe say a year or so earlier wakes up on the wrong side of the bed one morning, is having a bad day, and decides to accuse you of “SPAMMING” them.
If you have the record of the date/time the original sign-up form was filled out by the user, as well as the proof of the date/time that the user was sent the confirmation e-mail, and the date/time they clicked the confirmation, then you have what is necessary in order to defend yourself from a false accusation. Before some of you decide not to implement a Double Opt-In system, let me remind you of some very important facts:
· The anti-spam laws are FEDERAL laws, and these laws have teeth. Obey them. We’d like to keep you as a customer for a long time and would prefer not to send your Christmas card to you at “Club Fed”.
· Some states may have their own anti-spam laws in addition to the federal laws. Run afoul of these and you may face additional charges on top of the Federal ones.
In any event, ignorance of the law is no excuse (in other words, not knowing the law is there won’t get you out of trouble if you break it). Therefore, we highly recommend that you speak to your attorney and make absolutely certain that you understand all of the Federal anti-spam laws before you begin doing any significant mass e-mailing.
