List purchase refers to the practice of acquiring email marketing lists or contact databases from third-party vendors or sources, typically in exchange for a fee. These lists contain contact information such as email addresses, names, and possibly other demographic data, and are often used by businesses or marketers to expand their reach and target new prospects or customers.
However, list purchase is often considered a controversial practice in email marketing due to the potential risks involved, including low-quality or outdated data, lack of consent from recipients, and the potential for violating data protection regulations such as GDPR or CAN-SPAM.