Key facts
- Search for the exact people you want instead, check each email before sending, and pay only for the people you reveal.
- Bought lists tend to be old, shared with many senders and unchecked.
- You choose each filter, see the count, and reveal only the people who fit.
- Buzzlist charges per person once and checks email status before Buzz Send sends.
What goes wrong with bought lists?
Bought lists tend to be old, shared with many senders and unchecked.
- Old records: people have moved jobs and their addresses are closed.
- Shared records: the same names were sold to many senders, so they are tired of cold email.
- No checks: bad addresses push your bounce rate up and mailboxes get paused.
What is the difference with a search tool?
You choose each filter, see the count, and reveal only the people who fit. Buzzlist charges per person once and checks email status before Buzz Send sends.
I already bought one. Now what?
Do not send to it as is. Import it, check every address, drop anything that fails or cannot be confirmed, and start with a small batch.
| One-off bought list | Searching for the people | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is on it | Whoever the seller had | The filters you chose |
| Email checks | Often none | Checked before sending |
| What you pay for | Every row | Only the people you reveal |
How to test a list before sending
- Check a sample
Run 100 addresses through a check and see how many fail.
- Look at dates
Records with no recent update are the first to be wrong.
- Spot-check titles
Look up ten people. If several have moved, the list is stale.
- Send small
Start with one mailbox at a low daily volume and watch bounces.
When does Buzzlist fit, and when does it not?
It fits when
- You want to pick the people yourself and pay per person.
- You care about keeping your domain out of spam.
It does not fit when
- You need a list of people outside the United States.
Questions people ask next
Is buying a list illegal?
Not in itself in the US, but you still have to follow CAN-SPAM when you email. Source: FTC The legality guide has the details.
Can I import a bought list into Buzzlist?
Yes. Importing your own contacts does not use contacts, and Buzz checks addresses before sending.
What bounce rate is too high?
Buzz Send pauses a mailbox at a 5 percent bounce rate.
Is a cheap list ever worth it?
Only if you can check it first and most of it passes.
Sources
Checked October 9, 2026. Rules change, so read the source before you rely on it. This is general information, not legal advice.