Validating email signups from unusual or new domains to avoid spam traps requires a multi-faceted approach, combining technical solutions, strategic processes, and continuous monitoring. One strategy is to implement a system where signups from less common domains undergo double opt-in (DOI). Utilizing email validation services and APIs like Mailgun, NeverBounce, and Hunter.io helps to identify typos, disposable email addresses, catch-all domains, and other risky indicators. These tools provide quality scores and deliverability risk assessments. A build-your-own-reputation system can be implemented to increase checks on unfamiliar domains. Other key practices include employing suppression lists to exclude unsubscribed, bounced, and spam-reported addresses, using honeypots to identify and block bots, and continuously monitoring sender reputation. Typo detection and correction features can also prevent accidental misspellings that lead to deliverability issues. Furthermore, gradually increasing sending volume (email warm-up) helps build a positive reputation, and regular blacklist checks are vital for identifying existing issues. Segmenting lists and tailoring content enhances engagement, reducing the likelihood of being marked as spam.
12 marketer opinions
Validating email signups from unusual or new domains to avoid spam traps involves a multi-faceted approach. Several methods exist to ensure the quality of email lists and sender reputation. Real-time email verification services can identify invalid or risky email addresses during signup, including typo detection, disposable emails, and domain issues. Implementing double opt-in (DOI) ensures that only engaged users are added to the list, preventing spam traps and improving deliverability. A build-your-own-reputation system, coupled with AI-powered email scoring and list hygiene techniques such as suppression lists, can further refine email list quality. Other important considerations are segmenting lists for better targeting and engagement, monitoring sender reputation, email warm-up, and checking blacklists. Finally, typo detection tools can help reduce accidental entries.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailjet advises gradually increasing sending volume from new domains or IPs (email warm-up) to establish a positive sender reputation with ISPs and prevent deliverability issues.
28 Aug 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Hippo shares that their service includes typo detection, suggesting alternatives to misspelled domains during signup. This helps prevent users from accidentally entering incorrect email addresses that may lead to spam traps.
6 May 2025 - Email Hippo
4 expert opinions
Validating email signups from unusual or new domains can be achieved using a combination of strategies. Implementing a system where signups from less common domains go through a double opt-in process can reduce garbage traps. Email verification tools can identify catch-all domains, allowing for special handling. Email validation services are also recommended for cleaning email lists and reducing the risk of sending to spam traps. Additionally, using honeypots on signup forms can help identify and block bots and malicious users.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that using honey pots (email addresses specifically created to catch spammers) on signup forms can help identify and block bots and malicious users, reducing the risk of adding spam traps to your list.
20 Jun 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks explains that most verification tools are smart enough to denote a catch all domain and warn you about it, so then you can decide if you want to special case it.
21 Mar 2022 - Email Geeks
5 technical articles
Validating email signups involves using various tools and services to identify and remove potentially harmful email addresses. Email Validation APIs can detect typos, disposable addresses, and spam traps, providing quality scores and deliverability risk assessments. Services also identify catch-all domains, suggesting caution and additional verification steps. Email verification tools check for valid email addresses without sending emails, identifying invalid, disposable, or risky addresses. Suppression lists automatically exclude unsubscribed, bounced, and spam-reported addresses, protecting sender reputation. Amazon SES provides tools for verifying addresses, identifying hard bounces, and managing spam complaints.
Technical article
Documentation from Hunter.io shares that their email verification tool checks whether an email address exists without sending an actual email. It identifies invalid, disposable, or risky email addresses, improving deliverability rates.
26 Sep 2022 - Hunter.io
Technical article
Documentation from AWS explains that Amazon SES (Simple Email Service) provides tools to verify email addresses before sending. This includes identifying hard bounces and spam complaints to maintain a clean sending reputation.
18 Feb 2022 - AWS
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