Do-Not-Spam Proves Popular Concept

The majority of Americans would sign up for a do-not-spam list were the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to launch one, a new study has found.

“Eighty-three percent of Americans are either extremely or very likely to register for the list, making it more popular than the telemarketing do-not-call list launched back in October,” said Andrew Davidson, vice president of competitive tracking for Synovate’s Financial Services Practice.

Synovate, a marketing research firm, conducted the study by surveying 1,000 adult Americans.

The FTC is charged with studying the feasibility of a do-not-spam registry under the federal Can Spam act signed by the President earlier this month. It’s also authorized to implement such a registry, but it’s unclear whether that will materialize. FTC officials have been vocal in questioning the workability of a do-not-spam registry.

Consumers, it appears, just want spam to go away, and a do-not-spam list sounds like a good idea. Synovate found Americans on average receive 155 unsolicited e-mails in their personal or work e-mail accounts each week. Twenty percent of people get 200 or more. But whether people receive 20 to 50 unsolicited e-mails, or whether they receive 100 to 200, they’re equally likely to register for a do-not-spam list, if one is launched.

“The list appeals more to women and older adults than it does to men and younger age groups,” said Davidson. “Eighty-eight percent of females are extremely or very likely to register compared to 78 percent of males despite the fact that males receive more spam than females.”

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