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deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Hacker News·Jun 23·5 min read
Don't verify email addresses by sending spam to them
TL;DR
Validating email addresses is often seen as futile, leading many to simply send verification links. Some have resorted to sending unsolicited emails, or spam, to achieve this validation.
✦ Why It Matters
Engineers should avoid unethical email validation methods that can harm user trust and engagement.
Key Takeaways
- Use ethical methods for email validation.
- Avoid sending unsolicited emails to users.
- Prioritize user trust in verification processes.
- Consider user experience when implementing validation.
Full Summary
Email address validation is a common challenge for developers, as traditional methods often fail to ensure accuracy. Instead of simply sending a verification link, some developers have attempted to validate emails by sending unsolicited emails, or spam, to users.
This approach involves rotating through various sender domains to obscure the source of the emails. While this may technically confirm the existence of an email address, it raises significant ethical issues and can damage the sender's reputation.
Users may feel violated or distrustful, leading to a negative impact on user engagement and retention. Ultimately, this method does not align with best practices for user experience and can result in higher unsubscribe rates.
Engineers should prioritize ethical validation methods that respect user privacy and trust.