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 emails in their personal or work email accounts each week. Twenty percent of people get 200 or more. But whether people receive 20 to 50 unsolicited emails, 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.”