Spam filtering gone too far

Spam filters, in general, are good tools for business owners.  In many cases, they effectively keep people from receiving unsolicited and unwanted emails. As a result, many business owners are then free to spend their time reading emails they want to get instead of wasting time opening junk emails.  The definition of spam, however, is evolving.  Originally, the Cialis, Viagra, and Nigerian prize offers that were spam kings.  Today, spam is not limited to unsolicited email. The social networks have fallen victim to many of these unscrupulous marketers.   

I personally get several unsolicited Twitter Direct Messages each day marketing pornography, get rich quick schemes, and lots of other crap.  Like most people, I find it annoying, and can certainly understand why some twitter users may be inclined to use the "True Twit" validation program to weed out the spammers.  Unfortunately, this probably does more harm than good.

The purpose of social networking sites, like twitter, is to develop  and grow engaging relationships.  But, the "True Twit Validation" often discourages this from happening.  Let's say I see someone on Twitter, who looks like he/she is someone I would want to meet, I decide to "follow" that person.  When, I do, however, I get this message that the individual uses "True Twit Validation" and now wants me to spend time filling out a form to make sure I'm human.  Guess, what?  I'm probably not going to take the time to do this.  The investment of time is not worth it.

When considering these types of tools, it's important to think about all of the the people on the other end of your messages (not just the spammers).  While the intent of "True Twit" (to weed out spammers) is good, the consequences (lost relationships) are probably not worth it.  At the time this is being written, I have 43,260 followers, and probably get more annoying spam than many other people who use Twitter.  But the amount of spam I get each day, is significantly less than the number of new followers.  If I used "True Twit", I probably would scare off a lot of people I might want to meet.  

Bottom line, people using "True Twit" are similar to home sellers who claim they want to sell their home, but refuse to have a sign put up, will only allow showings one day a week, and must have a three hour lead time before each showing.  Make it easy, and get results.  Make it difficult, and see potential business go elsewhere.