What are common reasons for high spam complaints?

High spam complaint rates typically originate from several common issues:

Unclear or missing opt-in where recipients do not remember signing up. Purchased lists and co-registration schemes generate particularly high complaints.

Unexpected frequency when senders mail more often than recipients anticipated. Daily emails to someone expecting monthly updates feels like spam.

Irrelevant content that does not match what recipients signed up for. Subscribers to product updates do not want unrelated promotional offers.

Difficult unsubscribe processes that frustrate recipients into using the spam button instead. Hidden links, multiple steps, or broken processes cause complaints.

Mailing old or inactive lists where recipients no longer remember the relationship or have lost interest over time.

High complaints signal a broken relationship. Either expectations were never set properly, or they were violated along the way.