Email harvesting refers to gathering email addresses from sources that are openly available, such as websites, social media, forums, and directories. Email marketers use it at times to get large lists quickly. However, it is an issue of practice because it typically occurs without explicit permission.
Permission-based email collection, where contacts willingly offer their addresses through opt-in forms, is the better and more viable alternative.
The numbers behind email harvesting
- Businesses that create their email lists – even through harvested information – can increase the coverage of their campaigns by as high as 20%.
- Targeted email lists have 15-25% higher engagement rates, and in certain instances, this can be attributed to broader data sources.
- Whether sourced or not, a well-tended email list can increase conversion rates by 18%.
- Researchers anticipate a decrease in traditional email collecting methods by 10-15% in 2025 in light of strengthened privacy legislation, consumer attentiveness, and the thrust toward opt-in modes.
The experts on harvesting emails legally
Responsible and lawful email harvesting can be a potent tool for identifying new opportunities. But it does require a balance between quality and quantity – true success does hinge on contacting those who actually wish to hear from you.
A lesson from a lawsuit
Picture this real-world cautionary tale from 2019: Clearview AI, a facial recognition startup, found itself in hot water after scraping over three billion images and email addresses from social media platforms without consent. According to the New York Times investigation, this aggressive data harvesting led to multiple lawsuits, with tech giants like Facebook and LinkedIn demanding immediate data deletion.
The backlash wasn’t just legal – Clearview’s brand reputation took a nosedive, major potential clients backed away, and they faced fines up to $23 million from the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office.
It’s like they built a house of cards using other people’s property – sure, they had an impressive database, but the cost of obtaining it unethically ultimately threatened to topple their entire business model.
Reap the rewards in a lawful way
Challenge:
One of the issues is that the data collected can easily be outdated or inaccurate. Secondly, the method is ethically and legally questionable, especially with stricter privacy laws being implemented.
Resolution: The answer is two-pronged:
- First, invest in these tools in addition to careful data verification and cleansing software that ensures accuracy.
- Second, merge the harvesting with permission-based methods – always give opt-out or opt down ease for recipients and confirm consent. Regular audits and compliance checks will also keep your ways legal and data reliable.
How to grow your business
- Define what you need from your email list.
- Harvest from good, reputable websites.
- Use advanced tools to clean and validate email data.
- Combine harvested data with opt-in strategies for quality.
- Adhere to privacy laws like GDPR and CAN-SPAM.
- Monitor engagement and improve your approach.
- Train your team in best practices and regulatory standards.
