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Spam traps: what they are and how to avoid them

A single trap address can burn your reputation. How they appear and how to stay clear.

What they are

Spam traps are addresses used by providers and blocklists to spot senders who don't manage their lists. They never open, click or subscribe: if you mail them, you look suspicious.

The two kinds

  • Pristine: purpose-built addresses, never used. Hitting them means you collect addresses badly (scraping, bought lists).
  • Recycled: old abandoned addresses turned into traps. They flag stale, uncleaned lists.

How to avoid them

Use double opt-in, never buy lists, remove long-inactive contacts and handle bounces.

No sign-up. Copy the address and send.

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