6 Reasons Why Spam Email Is So Successful
Thu, Aug 21, 2008
I would imagine that if you mention the words ’spam’ and ‘email’ to most people, then they will associate those two words with something very much like this -
Or at least that’s what they would have you believe.
Have you ever wondered why spam email continues unabated, growing at an alarming rate, when just about everyone says they hate it?
Could it be because, secretly, 29% of the internet population has bought something pitched to them through junk mail?
Whilst publicly slating spam email, almost a third of internet users have found the following illegal, or at least slightly dubious, items via their inboxes -
- pirated software
- fake designer watches
- counterfeit designer clothes
- restricted drugs
- prescription medicines
- pornography
Have you ever purchased something through spam email and, if so, why?
Thanks to Kim Woodbridge for the inspiration for this post.


For those of you who may be confused, Kim inspired the article, NOT the picture!
Oh man - you are really trying to make me stronger emotionally.
I wonder a bit about the results of that survey. 29% seems really high to me. Well, maybe not - there must be a lot of men concerned about their size who are purchasing the enhancement products.
I have never purchased anything offered via spam as I have no money left after giving it all to a group specializing in credit elimination
As much as I detest spam, I do laugh at many of the subject lines.
I think the survey resulats were a little skewed due to the target audience and the relatively small number of people polled.
However, I think it likely that many people do buy from spam, otherwise it would cease to exist.
Those enhancement products don’t work - Lord knows I’ve tried them all
Now you’ve got rid of your debts things should be better.. email me as I have a business proposal involving $11,000,000 (eleven million US dollars) that I have hidden in Nigeria.
When I saw that photo I thought this story was going to be a steaming pile of….
And, worringly, it was! ha ha
Well THAT just put me off eating my breakfast and possibly lunch too!
Hey, I’m always happy to help people lose weight
A less than delightful picture left imprinted momentarily in my brain. It is rather grotesque and thus so is email spam. I agree with Kim, I get a good laugh at some of the subject lines myself. Some are just purely hysterical!
Hey!
There’s nothing wrong with my picture choices!
Do you get many spam comments you two? Some of those are amusing, especially when I get 50+ lame comments from the same ip in the same day - do they really think I’ll approve any of them?
Or the comments with 200 links in them, as if I want any of that rubbish on my blog!
One picture. One word.
GROSS
Does that mean you’re not interested in buying the original photo for the knock down price of $20?
Trying to avoid eye contact with the picture helps a little.
Now, subject line email scam of the day?
“Be the object of desire with magic pills”
I had to chuckle at this one. I thought desire was the object.
Hmmmm… spam email titles… that’s given me an idea for a post.
Thanks!
You’re welcome. Can’t wait to know what you thought of for a post.
You’ll find out soon…
what is tht picture..is tht chocolate cake? ha ha