Growing an email list of contacts is one of the best ways to reach out to audiences who want to hear from you. That is why companies offer a free report, tip, white paper, or other deal if you sign up for their newsletter. However, a new trend of shaming users into opting-in has become quite popular these days.

These are most often pop-ups that offer a favorable option, e.g., to sign up for great deals, and instead of a polite decline option, use a condescending statement such as “No, thanks, I don’t like to save money.” These kinds of statements make users feel stupid and nudge them sign-up for the deal out of shame. Hence the official term – confirmshaming.

How marketers explain the benefit of such manipulation

Confirmshaming fans argue that the whole purpose is to make users pause before selecting the rejection link. Results are higher micro conversions. However, these are usually short-term wins. Bullying someone into signing up for a newsletter often leads to one thing – their unsubscribing at a later time.

Sometimes we do not feel the real impact of words when they are written. Imagine you walk into a store, and the assistant offers you a new line of makeup by saying, “Try our new line of makeup! Or be ugly!”

People want to be treated with respect. Don’t disrespect users by making them feel bad about declining your offer. You are showing them disrespect which will only diminish their trust towards your company and negatively impact your brand.

  Read more on this topic by the Nielson Norman Group