We have all been the victim of nuisance spam emails at one time or another. Not only do they clog up our inboxes but what’s more irritating is that they often bear no relation to things we hold interest in.
These days it’s difficult for digital businesses to tread the fine line of being proactive with customers and becoming a borderline nuisance. Any company who uses email marketing is under constant pressure of trying to navigate anti-spam laws.
According to recent research from ReturnPath, only 79% of emails sent by genuine email marketers reach subscribers’ inboxes.
So, how can you avoid becoming a dreaded ‘serial spammer’? Here is some useful information on how to steer clear of this once and for all.
What Are Spam Traps?
Spam traps are used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to target and prevent spammers in their tracks. They resemble any ordinary email address, but it doesn’t actually belong to anyone or function as a real email address does.
Due to the fact that spam trap addresses can’t subscribe to email alerts, the only way one could end up on your list is if you aren’t checking your lists cautiously enough, or you aren’t sticking to the general rules of email marketing.
What Types of Spam Traps Are There?
There are a number of spam traps out there that are easily triggered if you’re not careful.
‘Pure Spam Traps’ are fake email addresses that are put in easy to reach places online, created purely to lure in spammers who sift the web to find people’s information and misuse it. These are often sold on to other spammers for a profit, and so the danger multiplies quickly.
‘Recycled Spam Traps’ are old email addresses which are now redundant and no longer in use by the original owner of the account. These accounts often get repurposed by the providers as an attempt to catch spammers. Although you could have legally obtained these email addresses in the past, you can still be flagged and blacklisted for spam as this is a tell-tale sign that you are not responsibly managing your email marketing programs.
Finally, ‘Typo Spam Traps’ email addresses with blatant typos within them such as “@hotnail.com” are another popular spam trap to watch out for. Always check over and question any suspected typos with your customers.
What Happens If I Fall Into A Spam Trap?
The main damage is that your subscribers typically punish you by marking unsolicited emails as spam or even blocking you on their contact lists. A bad reputation can quickly spread from here, which can take a substantial amount of time to repair.
How Do I Avoid Spam Traps Altogether?
If you have the time to maintain your email marketing lists in-house, be sure to make this a priority, carrying out regular and thorough inspections. Only ever send emails to people who have personally opted-in and chosen to subscribe.
To eliminate typo traps or invalid accounts, always send out a verification email which your subscribers must first accept before including them in your lists. If you’re too busy to do all of this in-house, consider investing in a marketing automation specialist to help you keep things running smoothly and efficiently.
