OnlyMyEmail's definition of Spam closely follows the laws that prohibit unwanted broadcast faxes, though the term Spam itself only applies to email.
The most significant characteristics of Spam are simply that the email is:
- Mass mailed
- Commercial in nature
- Not requested by the recipient
- Sent without a prior business relationship
While there are other criteria useful in making a determination, if the above conditions are true, then OnlyMyEmail's filters will generally delete such messages as Spam.
Notice: While the CAN-SPAM Act permits un-requested commercial emails as long as there is no deception and there is a functional method for "opting out" of future emails, and further exempts certain categories of emails (campaign messages sent by political candidates, for instance) OnlyMyEmail does not consider such factors.
A few common scenarios to help further define and apply these tests:
- Scenario: An acquaintance sends a joke or urban legend to everyone in their address book. While receiving such emails might be annoying, they are not considered Spam because there is no commercial purpose to the emails.
- Scenario: You visit a web site and request "more information" about a product or service, and you continue to receive email from the site on a regular basis. Since you initiated contact and provided your email address, this is not Spam by our definition, but is instead legitimate Direct Marketing. However, if you attempt to "unsubscribe" from receiving these communications, then future emails would qualify as Spam.
- Scenario: You have made a purchase from a company, and even after the transaction is complete, you continue to receive promotional emails from them. Because a previous business relationship exists this will ordinarily not be considered spam, but is instead legitimate Direct Marketing. However, if you attempt to "unsubscribe" from receiving these communications, then future emails would qualify as Spam.
- Scenario: You receive commercial email solicitations that you have not requested, and where you have not previously conducted business with the owner of the web site. Because there is no prior business relationship and the email is commercial in nature, this is definitely Spam by our definition.
While there will always be some instances that defy easy classification, these guidelines and examples will accurately classify spam in the vast majority of cases.
