How Can I Prevent Spam Complaints Against My Web Site?
As someone who sends email, it is your responsibility to ensure that any email
you send, or any email sent by someone promoting your web site, does not generate
"spam" complaints.
Spam complaints can damage your site's reputation, resulting in loss of visitors
and/or business to your site, and can also result in network blockades and loss
of connectivity from upstream providers. These consequences can also extend
to the service provider of the site or domain. For these reasons, and also because
FutureQuest® must comply with the AUPs of its upstream providers, the FutureQuest Terms of Service prohibit the sending of any type of unsolicited electronic
messages affiliated with FutureQuest® hosted sites.
FutureQuest® has collected some suggestions here, which will help prevent complaints
against your site and domain. These suggestions are a good starting point. In
case you need further assistance and suggestions, we have also provided links
to additional resources. You may also wish to consult the specific suggestions
for Responsible Mailing List Management.
- Publish an easy-to-locate Privacy Policy on your web site, letting visitors
know what data you collect and how it is used.
- Publish a complaint address, to which concerns and complaints about your
web site and domain should be sent. This will hopefully give you the first
chance to address such issues, before they are reported to FutureQuest® or
FutureQuest's upstream providers.
- Do not collect, or "harvest", email addresses off of directories
or web sites for the purpose of solicitation. As the email is unsolicited,
many recipients of mailings sent to addresses obtained in this manner will
report it as spam, even if the solicitation is related to the topic of the
web site or directory.
- Do not use third party web sites, their forums, web forms, or other similar
media, for promoting your own site, unless this is clearly the purpose of
the medium. When such media are used for purposes other than intended by their
provider, especially for solicitation or promotion of services and products,
complaints of abuse and "spamming" may arise.
- If you are considering hiring a third party marketing service, to advertise
or promote your site and its services or products, be sure to research the
service thoroughly. When a company you associate with is the subject of spam
complaints, your domain and site may also be affected by complaints.
- If you form any type of business relationship with other online entities,
and these associates receive spam complaints, your domain and site may also
be affected. Choose partners and associates carefully. Research such online
entities before entering into a relationship with them, to determine whether
they know and practice responsible email management and Internet promotion
methods.
- If your site does receive spam complaints as a result of a third party's
actions, whether the third party is an associate of yours or not, take swift
action to rectify the situation. Communicate with the third party promptly
and insist that they take corrective action, including removing your domain
from any offending emails or promotional materials.
- Keep in mind that any email promoting your domain, web site, or email addresses,
can lead back to you. Regardless who has sent the email: whether you, a business
associate, or a stranger, if the email generates complaints against your web
site and domain, you will need to take the necessary actions to stop them.
Educate your business partner, terminate your relationship with uncooperative
parties, and contact the service providers of third parties who will not desist.
This may require you to investigate
the source of the email and report
it. In extreme situations, it may require legal action.
Resources for Further Tips and Suggestions:
TRUSTe
Model Privacy Statement
American
Express' Online Privacy Guide
Best Practice in Email Spam
Prevention and Eradication
Principles
of Best Practice - Webmasters / Web Designers
The
Responsible Net Commerce Site: Some good ways to market on the Internet
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