What's the deal with "f.ree"

by 31 replies
36
Every once in a while I get an email from internet marketers who for some reason can't spell out certain words.

It's not a typo - apparently, because they are consistent with the spelling throughout the document.

Why say f.ree, and not free?
#main internet marketing discussion forum #deal #free
  • Banned
    [DELETED]
  • Every time I receive an email like this, I unsubscribe to the list that sent it...
  • s.pam f.ilter

    TomG.
  • Because the sender is an idiot.
  • Yeah, it's lame. What's even more lame is bumping down the unsubscribe link with dashes forcing it "out of sight", so that subscribers don't see it/think about it. What's that say about the confidence you have in your content? lol

    I used f.ree a couple times after advice from schmurus early on, but it felt so stupid. Now, if I want to press a certain aspect of a deal, or whatever, I'll use words like complimentary, gift, etc. I guess that doesn't have the same power as "free", but I also don't look like a tool putting a period inside the word. lol
    • [1] reply
    • Oh I have two marketers that do that! I counted how many dashes there are once and had 863!!!
  • How about this one -> f.r.e.e. I've seen this variant of the vamint also.

    TomG.
  • Yes this is becoming more and more popular. Also more and more annoying.
    • [1] reply
    • There are so many better ways to avoid being caught in spam filters - just say you're offering a gift, complimentary, a bonus, at no charge, etc. I think it's pretty lame when I see it, too.

      Terri
  • I agree with everyone here. That is so lame. When I see something like that it automatically goes in the trash.
  • It's just a measure people take to avoid spam filters, you'll notice methods like "VlAGRA" as well.
    Any decent spam filter should be able to strip special characters though...
    • [1] reply
    • Yep. And they're outsmarting themselves. Current filtering doesn't trigger on those words much. It weighs much more heavily on the punctuated versions.

      So, they're adding to the likelihood that their mail will get filtered, while simultaneously making people think they have something to hide. (Or just can't spell, or are trying to get attention with artificial gimmicks, or whatever other conclusions they might draw.)


      Paul
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • "at no cost" <---

    i am always amazed getting those "recommended" swipes for emails from the vendors, almost NONE of them would pass spam filters.

    NEVER use works like free, cash, etc.. in your email.

    Biggest mistake: Your email or name even contains terms like "marketing". Best way to end up in the spam folder right away.
    • [1] reply
    • Folks, this is bad advice. Don't take it.

      Before anyone decides to jump me about this, consider: I send out newsletter issues that are packed with terms like this, sometimes 12 and 16 pages of plain text on the subject of marketing. Other than hitting Outlook's filters occasionally, I rarely hear about things getting filtered. When it happens, it's not because of the words used.

      There are a few phrases that normal businesses might use that will get you hit, but not single words. "Free membership" and "no questions asked" are the most common I see. The latter because it's usually only used in an ad, and the former because it's so common in porn spam.


      Paul
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • Plenty of legit marketers with legit products do this to avoid over-zealous spam filters.

    Just because they write "f.ree" does not mean that they are peddling bad products.
    • [1] reply
    • Dave,True. It only means that they don't understand the current process of spam filtering. The only product I'd judge based on that is stuff that professes to keep you out of the junk folder.

      It does look bad, though. People wonder when they see things that don't fit, and they'll invent explanations if they can't readily find them. Such "explanations" are rarely positive.


      Paul
  • I always thought it was because some end up not being free so by spelling it f.ree it technically doesn't count.

    Looks like i was wrong.......
  • I also thing we have to asume that the largest email services have cracked this code by now.

    They spend their entire day working with email stuff, and still have not noticed the f.ree trick?
  • In my opinion I think it's a poor attempt by some marketers to sell you there products. I'm not saying all of them are bad some of them are actually pretty decent
    • [1] reply
    • How benevolent of you to acknowledge that we're not all scum. But what has the spelling of the word free got to do with it?


      Paul
      • [1] reply
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    What's the deal with "f.ree"

    Every once in a while I get an email from internet marketers who for some reason can't spell out certain words. It's not a typo - apparently, because they are consistent with the spelling throughout the document.