This is a real issue.
Below is exactly what a Signal subscriber received this week, rendered from live Vancouver permit data. Your inbox would show the permits that match your filter (trade, postal code, min job value, include / exclude keywords). No marketing around it. No affiliate links. Just the permits and the contractor / applicant on file.
Permits shown above are live data pulled from the City of Vancouver open-data feed. PermitSignal is not affiliated with the City of Vancouver or any municipality. A paid subscriber's issue contains only permits that match the filter they chose at signup; this sample shows a representative cross- section of neighborhoods and job values to illustrate the product.