Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Mathematics of Spam


My computer scientist and mathematician friend Brian Hayes has been tracking his spam for years and writing about it from a mathematical standpoint. His most recent
blog on the topic (reporting on Chris Kranich et al's experiment) makes one question the cost-effectiveness of spam:

"The bottom line: 28 “sales” (no money actually changed hands, and no products were delivered) with an average purchase price of about $100. This is a conversion rate of less than 1 in 10 million, which leaves some doubt about the profitability of the operation."

--though, of course, as Brian points out, "the mere continued existence of spam argues that the actual costs must be much lower."

Brian also issues an interesting challenge to those who spam while using the "comment" feature--wonder if he'll get any takers?

Any Kogod marketing students out there who are studying spam?

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