Summary
Receiving unsolicited event confirmation emails can stem from various sources. Event organizers may upload lists without consent, purchase lists, or harvest emails from websites. Sometimes, individuals are signed up by mistake, or a friend might have used your email. Data breaches and marketing agreements between websites can also lead to unwanted emails. Poor email list hygiene contributes to the issue, and unsolicited event emails are often considered spam. Legal frameworks like the CAN-SPAM Act require clear opt-out options, and double opt-in methods are crucial for legitimate subscriptions. ISPs struggle to catch low-volume spam, and ESPs may not take action. Reporting spam and managing your subscriptions are essential steps for mitigation.
Key findings
- List Acquisition: Event organizers commonly upload lists without consent, purchase lists, or harvest email addresses.
- Accidental Sign-Ups: Mistakes, incorrect entries, or friends signing you up can lead to unwanted emails.
- Data Breaches & Sharing: Data breaches and marketing agreements contribute to unsolicited email campaigns.
- Poor Hygiene & Spam: Poor email list hygiene results in unwanted emails, which are often classified as spam.
- Legal & Ethical Gaps: Lack of explicit consent violates spam laws, highlighting ethical and legal considerations.
- Enforcement Challenges: ISPs and ESPs face challenges in catching and acting against low-volume spam.
- Prevention Techniques: Double opt-in methods and clear unsubscribe options are crucial prevention techniques.
Key considerations
- Check for Misuse: Ensure your email hasn't been misused or shared without consent.
- Review Privacy Settings: Review privacy settings on websites where you've provided your email.
- Utilize Unsubscribe: Use unsubscribe links and report spam to manage unwanted emails.
- Implement Double Opt-In: If you are an event organiser implement double opt-in for best practices and compliance.
- Maintain List Hygiene: Practice good email list hygiene to avoid sending unwanted emails.
- Follow Legal Guidelines: Follow legal guidelines such as CAN-SPAM to remain compliant.
What email marketers say
8 marketer opinions
You may be receiving event confirmation emails for events you didn't sign up for due to several reasons. These include accidental sign-ups, incorrect email entry, or friends signing you up. Additionally, your email address could be on a purchased or shared list. Data breaches and email harvesting techniques also contribute to this issue. Email marketing agreements between websites and lack of explicit consent further exacerbate the problem.
Key opinions
- Accidental Sign-ups: Someone may have signed you up by mistake, or your email was entered incorrectly.
- Purchased/Shared Lists: Your email might be on a list purchased by event organizers or shared between different entities.
- Data Breaches: A data breach on a website where you used your email could lead to increased spam.
- Email Harvesting: Automated tools scrape email addresses from websites, leading to unsolicited contact.
- Marketing Agreements: Websites might share data as part of marketing agreements, resulting in your email being used for unwanted events.
- Lack of Consent: Emails are sometimes added to lists without explicit consent, violating spam laws.
Key considerations
- Verify Sign-ups: Check if a friend or family member might have signed you up.
- Opt-Out Options: Look for unsubscribe links in the emails and opt-out of future communications.
- Data Privacy: Be cautious about where you share your email address online to prevent harvesting.
- Check for Breaches: Use a service to check if your email address has been compromised in any data breaches.
- Report Spam: Report spam emails to your email provider to help improve spam filters.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit explains that a possible data breach of a site where you used the email address might have caused this. This is then used to send spam or phishing emails.
1 Apr 2025 - Reddit
Marketer view
Email marketer from Eventbrite Help Center explains that you might be receiving emails because someone else signed you up by mistake, the email address was entered incorrectly, or a friend signed you up. It's also possible your email was on a list that was shared with the event organizer.
5 Nov 2023 - Eventbrite
What the experts say
7 expert opinions
Receiving unsolicited event confirmation emails is often due to event organizers uploading lists without consent, purchasing lists, or harvesting email addresses from websites. These emails are considered a form of spam. Poor email list hygiene also contributes to the problem. ISPs find it difficult to catch this type of spam due to low volumes, and ESPs struggle to justify taking action.
Key opinions
- Unsolicited Uploads: Event creators often upload lists without recipients' consent, leading to unsolicited emails.
- List Purchasing: Event organizers may buy email lists, resulting in emails to people who didn't sign up.
- Email Harvesting: Email addresses can be collected from websites, adding individuals to lists without their knowledge.
- Poor List Hygiene: Poorly maintained email lists include recipients who never opted in, causing unwanted emails.
- Harassment: In some cases, receiving unsolicited emails may be a form of harassment.
- ISP Challenges: ISPs find it difficult to identify and block these emails due to low volumes.
- ESP Reluctance: ESPs struggle to justify action against this type of spam, allowing it to continue.
Key considerations
- Consent Practices: Be aware that your email address may be used without your explicit consent.
- List Management: Practice good email list hygiene if you're an event organizer to avoid sending spam.
- Limited Prevention: Understand that ISPs and ESPs might not be able to prevent these emails effectively.
- Monitor Emails: Regularly check your email for unwanted subscriptions and take appropriate action.
Expert view
Expert from SpamResource.com explains that unsolicited event emails can be considered a form of spam, where the recipient did not explicitly request the information.
5 Oct 2024 - SpamResource.com
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that poor email list hygiene can lead to sending emails to uninterested parties who never opted in, resulting in unwanted emails.
20 Jun 2022 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Receiving unwanted event confirmation emails can be mitigated by using signup forms with double opt-in to ensure users confirm their subscriptions, as highlighted by Mailchimp's documentation. The FTC's CAN-SPAM Act mandates a clear opt-out mechanism in emails. Microsoft Support provides guidance on unsubscribing, blocking senders, and marking emails as junk to manage unwanted messages. Google Support suggests reporting spam to improve spam filters and reduce future unwanted emails.
Key findings
- Double Opt-in: Mailchimp emphasizes the importance of double opt-in for preventing unwanted subscriptions.
- CAN-SPAM Act: The FTC requires a clear and conspicuous opt-out method in commercial emails.
- Unsubscribe Options: Microsoft Support recommends using unsubscribe links to opt-out of email lists.
- Spam Reporting: Google Support advises reporting spam to help improve spam filters.
Key considerations
- Implement Double Opt-in: If you're sending emails, use double opt-in to ensure recipients genuinely want to subscribe.
- Provide Easy Opt-Out: Always include a clear and easy-to-find unsubscribe link in your emails to comply with regulations.
- Utilize Unsubscribe: If you receive unwanted emails, use the unsubscribe link to opt-out of future communications.
- Report Spam Effectively: Report spam emails to your email provider to help them improve their spam filtering capabilities.
Technical article
Documentation from the FTC explains that the CAN-SPAM Act requires a clear and conspicuous way to opt-out of receiving future emails. Legitimate senders should honor opt-out requests promptly.
20 Sep 2022 - FTC (Federal Trade Commission)
Technical article
Documentation from Mailchimp explains the importance of signup forms and double opt-in to prevent unwanted subscriptions. Users should confirm their subscription before being added to a list.
28 Jan 2024 - Mailchimp
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