Everything you need to know about spamtraps

Everything you need to know about spamtraps

What are Spamtraps?

Spamtraps are specific email addresses created by internet service providers or anti-spam organizations to identify unwanted emails and newsletters. They help expose senders who do not adhere to best practices in email marketing.

Why are Spamtraps a Problem for Email Senders?

If you send emails to spamtraps, it can negatively impact your sender reputation. This could lead to your emails being marked as spam more frequently or blocked by email servers, significantly affecting your newsletter's deliverability.

What Types of Spamtraps Exist?

  1. Pristine Spamtraps: These addresses have never been used for legitimate communication and are not publicly accessible. They reveal unauthorized address collections.
  2. Recycled Spamtraps: These are formerly valid email addresses that were deactivated and later reactivated as spamtraps.
  3. Typo Traps: Addresses that use common typos of well-known email domains or addresses to catch senders not using clean opt-in methods.

How Can You Avoid Sending Emails to Spamtraps?

  1. Use Double Opt-In: Confirm your subscribers' email addresses to ensure validity.
  2. Regularly Clean Your Lists: Remove inactive or undeliverable addresses from your contact list.
  3. Avoid Buying Email Lists: Such lists often contain spamtraps.
  4. Monitor Engagement Metrics: Low open and click rates may indicate potential spamtraps.

Can You Identify Spamtraps in Your Subscriber List?

Since spamtraps are usually kept confidential, they cannot be directly identified. However, best practices like double opt-in and regular list cleaning can help minimize the risk.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Sending to a Spamtrap?

  1. Review Your Statistics: Check for sudden changes in deliverability or an increased complaint rate.
  2. Review Your Subscribers: Ensure that you collect email addresses from valid opt-in sources.
  3. External Check: Have your addresses cleaned by services like Neverbounce, Safetymails, Kleanmail, Zerobounce, or similar providers, and re-import the cleaned addresses.

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