How to Reduce Spam in your Email

Let's talk about spam mail. 

Is it legal? Why am I getting this? 

First. do you know why it's called spam mail? It actually comes from the movie Monty Python. It means ubiquitous, unavoidable, and repetitive. Yep, nailed it! 

It's frustrating when the spam emails are inundating your inbox and you can't find the real emails from the spam. Now, there is a difference between phishing emails that are labeled spam and emails that you've subscribed to that you consider spam. This is why not all "junk" emails end up in your spam folder in your email. ​Your email provider works hard to block any phishing attempts. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do about these emails except rely on your service provider to carry the load for you. 

What about the emails you've subscribed to? Sometimes, you might feel like the email newsletter knows more about you than you've told them about yourself. If you didn't know already:

• Yes, they know if you opened the email. 
• Yes, they know if you clicked a link in the email and which link. 
• Yes, they know if you opened the email multiple times, and how many.
• Yes, they know if you scrolled through the whole email and even where your mouse spent the majority of time.

Here's the thing, there are a lot of analytics being processed about what you've done with an email, and actions taken in response to how you've interacted with it. This is why you may get an email saying for example, "We noticed you didn't open our last email."

If you physically subscribed to an email and you feel bombarded, look at the bottom of the email and look for the "unsubscribe" link. By law, solicitation emails need to offer an unsubscribe option. It's like the Do Not Call List, except you won't be emailed again.

However, sometimes legitimate emails can end up in your spam folder. We advise that you check the folder on a weekly basis. If there is an email that is not spam, let your email know (there's usually an option to let it know it's not spam). ​If an email includes the word spam, includes unidentifiable attachments, or has provocative language, your email will most likely label it as spam. Likewise, if an email ends up in your inbox that is spam, let your email provider know by labeling it as spam/junk. It should remember your preferences for next time.

​What do you want to know?

Tune in on KSDM 104.1 FM, KGHS 1230 AM, KGHS 95.3 FM on Wednesday at 8:40 am for the next episode of Tech Talk. 

Send your tech questions to info@smalltowntech.shop.