Opting Out of Auto-DMs on Twitter – Good or Bad?

SocialOomph allows opting out

For those on Twitter, you all know the pain of getting endless automated direct messages ranging from the generic “thanks for following me, I hope you learn something valuable from [insert blog url here]” to “I just joined [insert new third party service here] and think you’d enjoy it too.”

Today isn’t about arguing the merit of auto DMs, but to discuss the new service, SocialOomph that allows users to do the equivalent of blocking all auto DMs.

The service was written up at TwiTip and steps were given on how to block auto DMs, and I asked a question that was echoed by others but was left unanswered:

“I love this idea BUT think about it from this angle: I have to get an auto-dm from @OptMeOut in order to set up service. It’s the same with several other services I’ve set up, so the only problem I see by eliminating all auto-DMs is that other future services (like productivity tools, follower management, etc) that I have to set up via auto DM are limited.”

Here is the real question:

My ultimate question is, would you sacrifice setting up third party applications in order to never get harassed by spammy auto direct messages? Or, do you see the merit of some DMs that make it worth wading through the junk to get the good stuff? Is opting out of auto DMs on Twitter good or bad?