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What's stopping websites from just removing '+company' from 'username+company@gmail.com' and emailing you at 'username@gmail.com'?

Even if the website you provide it to doesn't do that. Anyone who buys it can.

I'm guessing the answer is, "Most companies are too lazy", but that seems like a weak behavior to depend on.

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My guess is that they're too dumb to send marketing emails to people who are obviously taking trouble to NOT receicve marketing emails.

Sending emails to everyone on the planet is one thing; but taking pains to send emails to people who are clearly trying to dodge them seems terminally stupid, and I'd fire anyone who was trying to spend my money on an effort like that.

From having experience in email marketing, I highly doubt companies are editing email addresses before send. But you are right though, I have had signups that denied the "+" via JS.

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