Patent ID: 8706823

Claim:
A method of processing electronic messages sent by at least one of a plurality of bulk message senders, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of electronic messages sent by at least one of the plurality of bulk message senders; for each electronic message of the plurality of electronic messages, determining whether the sender of the electronic message is included in one or more of a plurality of tiers, wherein inclusion in one or more of the plurality of tiers is based on sender compliance information, including: information associated with the historical sending of emails of the sender; and information indicating whether the sender complies with a first set of bulk message policies; applying a first distinctive treatment to a first set of electronic messages of the plurality of electronic messages in response to one or more senders of the first set of electronic messages being included in a first tier of the plurality of tiers, wherein inclusion in the first tier requires a sender to meet the first set of bulk mail polices at least once, and wherein the first distinctive treatment is preferential to a second set of electronic messages that have one or more senders not included in any of the plurality of tiers; and applying a second distinctive treatment to a third set of electronic messages of the plurality of electronic messages in response to one or more senders of the third set of electronic messages being included in a second tier of the plurality of tiers, wherein inclusion in the second tier requires a sender to have a history of compliance with a second set of bulk mail policies, and wherein the second distinctive treatment is preferential to the first distinctive treatment.