In the previous article, we looked at what a spam trap is and what their types are. Be sure to read it - "What is a spam trap?"

 

Spam traps are email addresses created by ISPs and anti-spam organizations to catch spammers who send unsolicited emails. Sending emails to these addresses can cause your email reputation to be damaged and your emails to be blocked or sent to the spam folder.

 

Getting rid of spam traps is not an easy task.

First, you need to find one of these addresses on your list.

 

Here's how to do it:

1. Never, ever buy a database of email addresses. You will lose both money and the sender's reputation, which will be very difficult to restore later.

2. Segment your database regularly and cleanse it of people who haven't read you for more than 6-12 months. These addresses can mostly be spam traps, so feel free to delete them, don't accumulate subscribers just in case.

3. Make sure your email marketing service automatically removes addresses from bounces.

4. Ask your subscribers to confirm their consent to subscribe, spammers never confirm subscriptions and usually don't even open emails, this precaution will help you sleep well at night.

 

If you find spam traps in your database, getting rid of them is not easy. Sometimes you may even need to "clean up" part of the infected database to make sure the rest of the addresses remain clean.

 

Some notable spam traps created by Sender Score. Using this service, you can also check the sender's reputation from your IP address and see if you have been sent to spam traps in the last 7-14 days. Of course, he will not show you all the pitfalls, but only those that are already known.

 

The only effective way to combat spam traps is to monitor subscriber behavior and regularly clean up the database.

 

How to avoid spam traps

 

Build a clean email list: Avoid buying email lists or using email harvesting tools. Instead, use opt-in forms to collect email addresses from people who have voluntarily signed up to receive your emails.

 

Remove inactive subscribers: If subscribers haven't engaged with your emails in a while, remove them from your list. Sending emails to inactive subscribers can increase your chances of hitting a spam trap.

 

Validate email addresses: Use email verification tools to validate email addresses before adding them to your list. This will help you avoid typos and fake email addresses that can lead to spam traps.

 

Use double opt-in: Double opt-in requires subscribers to confirm their email address by clicking a link in a confirmation email. This ensures that the email address is valid and the subscriber has given explicit consent to receive your emails.

 

Don't use purchased or rented lists: Using purchased or rented lists can increase your chances of hitting a spam trap as the email addresses on these lists are often outdated, invalid, or spam traps themselves.

 

Monitor your email metrics: Keep an eye on your email metrics, such as open rates, click-through rates, and bounce rates. High bounce rates can be a sign that you are hitting spam traps.

 

By following these best practices, you can avoid spam traps and maintain a clean email list that is more likely to reach the inbox of your subscribers.

 

Good luck!

 

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