The Money is in the List ?

Hi JDB,

We do accept Yahoo and Hotmail email addresses....

However, we do require "double opt-in".

Let's say a person signs up with a "throw away" Yahoo or Hotmail account. When he (or she) signs up, he will get an email asking him to confirm his subscription.

If he never checks his Yahoo or Hotmail email account, he will probably never read the email to confirm his subscription!

So I think the "double opt-in" system tends to mean someone like that - who doesn't read the email address he signs up with - won't go through the full sign-up process....

If a person doesn't confirm his subscription, by clicking on the link in the confirmation email they receive, he won't be subscribed.

There are some people who use Yahoo and Hotmail email accounts, who do check their emails there. A person who does use their Yahoo or Hotmail account will read his (or her) confirmation email, and click on the link. Then he will receive our ezine with no problem.

So I think it's largely "self-policing" in this way.

My main reason to use "double opt-in" though is because I didn't want to be accused of spam. By using a "double opt-in" system, I can be sure that everyone who receives our ezine REALLY wants to receive it. I think a "side effect" of this system is that it really is a list of people who read their email, without a lot of empty "filler" and worthless email addresses.

- Dien