How to detect subscribers ignoring their own preferences?

Subscribers sometimes set preferences that don't match their actual behavior. Someone might choose weekly emails but open every daily send. Another might request promotional content but never click.

Detect mismatches by comparing stated preferences to engagement patterns. If a subscriber set to weekly opens every email you send regardless of cadence, they might tolerate or prefer higher frequency. If someone opted into promotions but consistently ignores them, their interest may have shifted.

Use this data to trigger preference refresh campaigns. Send a periodic email asking subscribers to review and update their settings. Frame it as a benefit rather than a chore.

For highly engaged subscribers with conservative preferences, consider testing a smart send algorithm that increases frequency based on behavior while still respecting stated limits. Don't override preferences without consent, but optimize within the boundaries they set.

Monitor for preference abandonment, where someone set preferences long ago but engagement has changed significantly. Outdated preferences reduce relevance and hurt performance.

Preferences are the map, but engagement is the compass. When the two don't align, it's time to update the chart.