Thank you for this response. I fully admit that I don't see the recruiter side of things. There isn't a lot of discussion about the trade, or craft, or whatever you want to call it and I think there should be.
I will certainly reply to every InMail that I get now.
It is my hope that methods and conversations like this can make the field better for everybody.
I respond to InMails where it is clear the recruiter actually took the time to read my profile and had a valid reason to believe there might be a match.
Knowing now that unanswered InMails cost them money, I'm doubling down on my stance to not answer InMails from recruiters who are spamming and/or clearly didn't bother to take the time to see if I really would be a good match or if they just matched a couple of buzzwords and hit send.
I will certainly reply to every InMail that I get now.
It is my hope that methods and conversations like this can make the field better for everybody.