Do directory listings lead to email spam?

**derjavina** · 02-04-2008, 02:32 AM

I run a few web sites, all with a contact email address displayed as usual.
I never had any problems with email spam until recently, and only with one particular account. The besieged email address is for what is probably the least viewed of my web sites, so the only reason that I can think of is a recent submission to the hotfrog directory.
I submitted the site about 2 months before the sudden onslaught of spam.

Is this a coincidence, or do directory listings have this effect?

**chrishirst** · 02-06-2008, 09:52 AM

Yep.

especially as some directories seem to be only there for collecting email addresses to send spam to!

**ssandecki** · 02-07-2008, 02:52 PM

Geez, never thought of using this as another reason to not waste time with web directories, looks like I can add another one to my list of reasons.

**blue-dreamer** · 02-07-2008, 09:52 PM

When I used to do submitting to directories I used a unique variation of an email address for each submission, ie directoryname@mydomain.com and routed them all to a single pop account - it soons became obvious which directories were selling on my info. To stop receiving the spam it was simply a case of diverting all mail for that address to the bitbucket

**ADAM Web Design** · 02-07-2008, 10:34 PM

If you give away your address to a site with no clear privacy policy (as is the case with most directories), operate under the assumption that your Johnson will be too small, that you don't gamble enough, that Hoodia is the be-all and end-all cure for weight loss, and that starving 18-year-old Russian women all want to marry you.

**ipodman** · 02-08-2008, 04:44 AM

Hi,

For me I have found the answer to be yes, that is why i always use a spam e-mail address when adding links to web directories.

but its also not just directory owners who do it, the directories that list our e-mail addresses as well can increase the spam

-Dan

**shahab6** · 02-15-2008, 09:46 PM

Yes most do, some even open directory to collect e-mail addresses, and spam Webmasters, so you might want to create another e-mail address and just use it for directories

**Himalayan** · 04-08-2008, 03:38 AM

We don't know the purpose behind of any directory but suggested to submit your website properly after navigating it from SEO point of view.

**x3mario** · 04-08-2008, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derjavina

I run a few web sites, all with a contact email address displayed as usual.
I never had any problems with email spam until recently, and only with one particular account. The besieged email address is for what is probably the least viewed of my web sites, so the only reason that I can think of is a recent submission to the hotfrog directory.
I submitted the site about 2 months before the sudden onslaught of spam.

Is this a coincidence, or do directory listings have this effect?

Yes. I also encoountered that problem. I already received an email from them and minute ago another email come.

**sizzler_chetan** · 04-13-2008, 09:44 PM

Not all directories, but i have to agree that directories use your email addresses for spamming.
I feel really bad about that, and think why to have a directory for that? This makes the clients really angry.

**tamar** · 04-13-2008, 10:26 PM

Rule of thumb: Make sure the directory is high quality. Check the sites that are linked. If they're lousy websites, chances are that you're getting a free link but you're also getting added to spam lists. And chances are that the lousy directory won't really help your rankings.

**Feydakin** · 04-13-2008, 11:04 PM

ientry is notorious for using directories as email harvesters for their newsletters.. They've been buying up and/or building dozens, if not hundreds, of directories since their big one Jayde..

I always use a junk email address when submitting to any directory.. I leave it live long enough to confirm any listings and then away it goes..

**sizzler_chetan** · 04-13-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feydakin

ientry is notorious for using directories as email harvesters for their newsletters.. They've been buying up and/or building dozens, if not hundreds, of directories since their big one Jayde..

I always use a junk email address when submitting to any directory.. I leave it live long enough to confirm any listings and then away it goes..

Yep the owner of ientry contacted many directory owners for buying their directories, and once i had submitted a website to their directory, and since then i am getting 3-4 spam mails per week in my inbox.
None of the mails is useful for me

**Funny Guy** · 04-14-2008, 02:25 AM

Its a good way to get active emails ... and many dir owners wud b selling too

and I don't think email spam will stop anytime ...

**sizzler_chetan** · 04-14-2008, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funny Guy

Its a good way to get active emails ... and many dir owners wud b selling too

and I don't think email spam will stop anytime ...

It would be the worst thing a directory owner is doing by selling the email addresses lists to anyone.
Its something unprofessional.

**webmastery** · 04-14-2008, 01:47 PM

Only lame directories do that. If you are sending out U.C.E. for a directory, you can get nailed for CAN-SPAM violations. All email without a double opt-in is basically not allowable these days.

**samoris** · 04-18-2008, 02:18 AM

I don't that directory owners would do anything like this.

What you are call not-so-quality webdirectories are owned by people who start it just to earn money and lack knowledge for promoting it or making it quality.

Getting spam emails is just coincidence. I have an email which is quite personal and never never use it anywhere for submission etc, but last week i got an email about winning a microsoft lottery worth $500,000. Spammers find their ways. They don't need to open a directory and invest in hosting, desiging etc to get people's email.

**vicdigi** · 04-30-2008, 06:09 AM

It goes without saying that if you submit your site to 50 directories then you will receive spam from at least one of them.

More often than not they are to do with viagra and the so called lottery winnings you have won!

**johnlloyd** · 05-01-2008, 08:30 AM

Yes, other directories collecting email's for spamming purposes, you will receive more often once you submit your site.

**gizmoya** · 05-01-2008, 09:23 AM

lol even i got same spamming problem , and it was nearly not possible to unsubscribe from each and every spammer service , the i have to remove my email and creat a new account'

best thing wat anyone can do either have a seperate email account for this submission or use a third party emails account

02-06-2008, 09:52 AM	#2 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
chrishirst Super Moderator Posts: 10,632 Location: Blackpool. UK Talkupation:	Yep. especially as some directories seem to be only there for collecting email addresses to send spam to! __________________ Chris. ->> Links are advertising NOT optimising!! <<- Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares? Code Samples \| People Counting System

02-07-2008, 02:52 PM	#3 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
ssandecki Extreme Talker Posts: 235 Name: Stephen Location: Chicago, IL Talkupation:	Geez, never thought of using this as another reason to not waste time with web directories, looks like I can add another one to my list of reasons. __________________ Civic SEO - Search Engine Optimization Knowledge Database. Fiber Optic Patch Cables - Number #1 Fiber Cable Source.

02-07-2008, 10:34 PM	#5 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
ADAM Web Design Canadastaninianite Latest Blog Post: A Strange Forum Policy: The Boutique Board Posts: 5,947 Name: Adam for web page design, not program Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Talkupation:	If you give away your address to a site with no clear privacy policy (as is the case with most directories), operate under the assumption that your Johnson will be too small, that you don't gamble enough, that Hoodia is the be-all and end-all cure for weight loss, and that starving 18-year-old Russian women all want to marry you. __________________ Search Engine Friendly Layouts \| Walk on My Path (my blog) eBay Caters to Content Thieves (with proof)

02-08-2008, 04:44 AM	#6 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
ipodman Extreme Talker Latest Blog Post: Blue Screen of death!!! Posts: 206 Location: Manchester, UK Talkupation:	Hi, For me I have found the answer to be yes, that is why i always use a spam e-mail address when adding links to web directories. but its also not just directory owners who do it, the directories that list our e-mail addresses as well can increase the spam -Dan __________________ The Student Bulletin – The forum for students of the world

02-15-2008, 09:46 PM	#7 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
shahab6 Experienced Talker Posts: 37 Talkupation:	Yes most do, some even open directory to collect e-mail addresses, and spam Webmasters, so you might want to create another e-mail address and just use it for directories __________________ Find the Best Credit Card Offers-Low APR, 0% on Balance Transfers "Quote Loan and Insurances" Need Payday Loans,Credit Repair,Student Loans, Etc. Health Supplements,Weight Loss,Natural Beauty and Skin Products for Sale

02-04-2008, 02:32 AM	#1 (permalink) Do directory listings lead to email spam?
derjavina Experienced Talker Posts: 33 Name: Chris Talkupation:	I run a few web sites, all with a contact email address displayed as usual. I never had any problems with email spam until recently, and only with one particular account. The besieged email address is for what is probably the least viewed of my web sites, so the only reason that I can think of is a recent submission to the hotfrog directory. I submitted the site about 2 months before the sudden onslaught of spam. Is this a coincidence, or do directory listings have this effect?

02-07-2008, 09:52 PM	#4 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
blue-dreamer Webmaster Talker Posts: 682 Location: Middle England Talkupation:	When I used to do submitting to directories I used a unique variation of an email address for each submission, ie directoryname@mydomain.com and routed them all to a single pop account - it soons became obvious which directories were selling on my info. To stop receiving the spam it was simply a case of diverting all mail for that address to the bitbucket

04-08-2008, 03:38 AM	#8 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
Himalayan Experienced Talker Posts: 43 Talkupation:	We don't know the purpose behind of any directory but suggested to submit your website properly after navigating it from SEO point of view. __________________ SEO

04-13-2008, 09:44 PM	#10 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
sizzler_chetan Ultra Talker Latest Blog Post: Do you appreciate your wedding guests? Posts: 400 Name: Chetan Location: India Talkupation:	Not all directories, but i have to agree that directories use your email addresses for spamming. I feel really bad about that, and think why to have a directory for that? This makes the clients really angry. __________________ The WWW Blog - A complete web information blog

04-13-2008, 10:26 PM	#11 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
tamar Ultra Talker Latest Blog Post: Confessions and Reflections of a [Former] ... Posts: 433 Name: Tamar Weinberg Location: New York Talkupation:	Rule of thumb: Make sure the directory is high quality. Check the sites that are linked. If they're lousy websites, chances are that you're getting a free link but you're also getting added to spam lists. And chances are that the lousy directory won't really help your rankings. __________________ Techipedia: All About Social Media

04-13-2008, 11:04 PM	#12 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
Feydakin Skilled Talker Latest Blog Post: It's hard to find a great place to sleep Posts: 72 Name: Steve Talkupation:	ientry is notorious for using directories as email harvesters for their newsletters.. They've been buying up and/or building dozens, if not hundreds, of directories since their big one Jayde.. I always use a junk email address when submitting to any directory.. I leave it live long enough to confirm any listings and then away it goes.. __________________ Large Orange Pop Internet Marketing Custom Engagement Rings Your fiance is unique, her ring should be too

04-14-2008, 02:25 AM	#14 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
Funny Guy Average Talker Posts: 24 Talkupation:	Its a good way to get active emails ... and many dir owners wud b selling too and I don't think email spam will stop anytime ... __________________ Pickup Trucks for Sale\| Car Insurance

04-14-2008, 01:47 PM	#16 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
webmastery Experienced Talker Posts: 43	Only lame directories do that. If you are sending out U.C.E. for a directory, you can get nailed for CAN-SPAM violations. All email without a double opt-in is basically not allowable these days. __________________ \| Webmaster Forum \| Webmaster Buy And Sell \| What is your website worth?

04-18-2008, 02:18 AM	#17 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
samoris Average Talker Posts: 25 Talkupation:	I don't that directory owners would do anything like this. What you are call not-so-quality webdirectories are owned by people who start it just to earn money and lack knowledge for promoting it or making it quality. Getting spam emails is just coincidence. I have an email which is quite personal and never never use it anywhere for submission etc, but last week i got an email about winning a microsoft lottery worth $500,000. Spammers find their ways. They don't need to open a directory and invest in hosting, desiging etc to get people's email. __________________ SEO Friendly Directory SEO Forum - Pay per post

04-30-2008, 06:09 AM	#18 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
vicdigi Novice Talker Latest Blog Post: Black Hat SEO - What is Black Hat SEO Posts: 13 Name: Vic Location: onewaylinks.co.uk Talkupation:	It goes without saying that if you submit your site to 50 directories then you will receive spam from at least one of them. More often than not they are to do with viagra and the so called lottery winnings you have won! __________________ About UK Directory \| One Way Links \| UK Web Directory

05-01-2008, 08:30 AM	#19 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
johnlloyd Skilled Talker Posts: 55 Talkupation:	Yes, other directories collecting email's for spamming purposes, you will receive more often once you submit your site. __________________ tarot \|\| online psychics \|\| astrological signs

05-01-2008, 09:23 AM	#20 (permalink) Re: Do directory listings lead to email spam?
gizmoya Average Talker Posts: 20 Talkupation:	lol even i got same spamming problem , and it was nearly not possible to unsubscribe from each and every spammer service , the i have to remove my email and creat a new account' best thing wat anyone can do either have a seperate email account for this submission or use a third party emails account __________________ Huge Collection of Mobile Application Games Ringtones Themes High Quality Wallpapers Advance Technical Support For Windows XP and Vista Users