"Interesting" way to cultivate a link farm:

[OneDerBar]

Apparently, it is working for her because she has boosted her relevancy to 5/10. I have omitted all reference to her site and domain for obvious reasons.

"Hi,

I am interested in adding my link to your website. I do not have a
links page, but I can advertise your website in emails to customers.

<spammer's company name omitted>
http://www.xxxxx-xxxxxxxxx.com

Free gift with every purchase. Free shipping with any order over $50.
Backstage inspired. Artist approved. Hundreds of colors, textures and
shades for lips, eyes and face, plus all the tools you need.

Thanks!
Jennifer
juicy@xxxxxxx"

[minstrel]

"acceptable"? Who cares?

With spam filters, those emails with your link will get blocked for many people anyway. Even without them, people like me will delete most email from unknown senders.

So what's the likely return for you from linking to her site?

Pretty close to nothing, I'd say.

[sfowler]

I get those every day in an assortment of languages. I never read them anyway, so it does not matter what language they are written in really. I don't use spam filters, because they do not work very well in German and tend to delete more than I like.

I have a delete button, and it gets a lot of work.

[OneDerBar]

I get those every day in an assortment of languages. I never read them anyway, so it does not matter what language they are written in really. I don't use spam filters, because they do not work very well in German and tend to delete more than I like.

I have a delete button, and it gets a lot of work.

I know. It just makes me angry that someone is exploiting people who don't know any better to unethically enhance their PR.

[sfowler]

It is only a flash in the pan. thsi sort of thing is easy to spot and very easy to programme into an algo. Gives the software people something useful to occupy their time, intead of plotting how to make my life miserable!

[rlrouse]

There are only two safe and effective forms of email advertising (that I'm aware of):

1 - Mailing to your own double opt-in mailing list.

2 - Purchasing or bartering for ad space in established double opt-in newsletters and ezines that serve your target market.

Anything else is ineffective at best and could lead to getting yourself labeled as a spammer (not good).

That being said, trading a link for an ad in a quality, on-target newsletter can be very good for the bottom line but you have to do your homework and check up on the newsletter beforehand.