Summary
The overwhelming consensus among email deliverability experts and industry documentation is that traditional spam traps are passive entities that do not generate random opens or clicks. These addresses are specifically designed to catch spammers and identify poor list hygiene, not to simulate user engagement. They are not monitored by humans and serve purely as detection mechanisms. While some nuanced views suggest extremely rare instances of automated link-chasing for investigative purposes by anti-spam systems, this is not indicative of genuine user behavior or a typical function of spam traps.
Key findings
- Spam Traps are Passive: The vast majority of email deliverability experts and documentation confirm that traditional spam traps are inert and not monitored by humans. Their design is to be completely passive.
- No Random Engagement: True spam traps do not generate random opens, clicks, or any other form of user-like engagement, as they are not real people or active accounts.
- Detection Mechanism: Spam traps serve solely as a detection mechanism, designed to identify spammers and highlight poor list management practices, such as sending to outdated or scraped email addresses.
- Limited Exceptions Explained: While a few rare instances of automated link-chasing for investigative purposes by anti-spam systems have been noted, these are not typical user interactions and do not manipulate engagement data. They are distinct from the behavior of genuine spam traps.
Key considerations
- Definition of Spam Trap: The nature of a 'spam trap' can influence perceived behavior. Traditional spam traps are inert, while some automated systems or non-traditional traps might exhibit very rare, non-human link-following for investigative purposes.
- Automated Activity vs. User Behavior: It is crucial to distinguish between genuine user engagement, such as opens and clicks from real subscribers, and any rare, automated interaction that might be performed by anti-spam systems for analysis, which are not indicative of a human recipient.
- List Hygiene Impact: Regardless of whether they generate activity, the presence of spam traps on an email list signals poor list hygiene and can severely damage a sender's reputation and deliverability.
What email marketers say
11 marketer opinions
The question of whether spam traps generate opens and clicks reveals a strong consensus among email deliverability professionals: the vast majority of these addresses are passive and do not simulate user engagement. Designed as inert detection tools, spam traps serve to identify poor list hygiene rather than to interact with emails. However, a minority view suggests that some instances of perceived spam trap activity, while rare, might include automated interactions, though these are typically distinguished from genuine human behavior and are not characteristic of most traditional spam traps.
Key opinions
- Passive Design: Most experts, including those from Mailgun, SendGrid, ActiveCampaign, Email on Acid, Campaign Monitor, and SparkPost, concur that spam traps are designed to be completely inert and are not monitored by humans.
- Lack of Interaction: Sources from Reddit, Quora, AWeber, and GlockApps emphasize that these addresses do not interact with incoming messages, meaning they do not generate opens, clicks, or any other form of user engagement.
- Purpose-Built for Detection: Their sole function, as noted by SendGrid and ActiveCampaign, is to serve as a passive detection mechanism for spammers and to identify poor list hygiene, rather than to simulate real user behavior.
- Rare Anomaly, Not True Engagement: An outlier view from an Email Geeks marketer suggests some traps might show rare activity, but clarifies these are often not traditional spam traps or the activity is distinct from genuine user interaction, possibly automated for investigative purposes.
Key considerations
- Distinguishing Trap Types: The discussion highlights a crucial distinction between traditional, inert spam traps and any addresses that might exhibit rare, automated activity for investigative or anti-spam purposes.
- Analyzing Engagement Data: When an open or click is recorded from an unexpected or suspicious address, it is vital to discern whether it represents genuine subscriber engagement or an anomaly, potentially from an automated system or non-traditional trap.
- Maintaining List Hygiene: Regardless of whether a spam trap generates interaction, encountering one on an email list is a critical indicator of poor list management and will negatively impact sender reputation and deliverability.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that many spam traps do generate opens and clicks, albeit some rarely and some semi-consistently. He clarifies that many perceived spam trap hits are not traditional spam traps and gives an example of rare click activity.
20 Apr 2025 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailgun Blog shares that spam traps are fake email addresses used to identify senders of unsolicited emails. Since they are not real people or active accounts, they will not generate any opens or clicks on emails.
1 Sep 2023 - Mailgun Blog
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
Email deliverability experts largely agree that spam traps, by their fundamental design, do not generate random opens or clicks. These unmonitored email addresses exist solely as detection mechanisms, intended to identify spammers and poor list hygiene, not to simulate human engagement. While extremely rare instances of automated link-chasing for investigative purposes by anti-spam systems may occur, this is not indicative of genuine user behavior or an attempt to manipulate engagement metrics.
Key opinions
- No Engagement from Traps: Email deliverability experts overwhelmingly confirm that spam traps do not generate random opens or clicks, as they are not monitored by humans and serve no interactive purpose.
- Passive Detection Tool: Spam traps function purely as passive detection tools, designed to catch spammers and identify issues with list hygiene, rather than to engage with emails.
- Investigative Automation is Rare: A minority view acknowledges that highly infrequent, automated link-chasing might occur for investigative purposes by anti-spam systems, but this is distinct from human interaction or data manipulation.
- Not Real Users: The core principle is that spam traps are unmonitored addresses, not real people, and therefore cannot perform actions like opening emails or clicking links.
Key considerations
- Distinguish Automated vs. Human: It is crucial for senders to differentiate between rare, automated interactions by anti-spam systems and genuine engagement from human subscribers when analyzing email performance data.
- Understanding Trap Purpose: Recognizing that a spam trap's primary purpose is detection, not interaction, helps in understanding why they do not generate opens or clicks under normal circumstances.
- Maintain List Quality: Regardless of whether a spam trap exhibits any activity, its presence on an email list signals poor list hygiene and necessitates immediate action to preserve sender reputation and deliverability.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks answers that very few spam traps send random opens and clicks, and none of his company's do.
2 Feb 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks clarifies that spam traps do not send random opens and clicks. She states that some may chase links for investigation purposes but not to manipulate data.
28 Oct 2022 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Leading email security and deliverability experts, including Validity, Cisco Talos Intelligence Group, Barracuda Networks, and Proofpoint, unequivocally state that spam traps do not generate random opens or clicks. These specialized email addresses are intentionally inert, serving purely as passive tools to identify unsolicited mail and malicious senders, rather than simulating any form of user engagement. Their design precludes any interaction, reinforcing their role as an effective deterrent and detection mechanism against poor sending practices.
Key findings
- No User Engagement: Spam traps are specifically designed as inert addresses and do not open emails, click on links, or generate any other form of user interaction.
- Detection Purpose: Their sole function is to identify spammers, detect unsolicited mail, and flag poor list hygiene, rather than to mimic active subscribers.
- Passive Entities: Leading security vendors confirm that spam traps are passive entities, not associated with real or active users, ensuring no unintended engagement data is generated.
- Identification Tools: These addresses function as decoys, specifically set up to catch and expose malicious or non-compliant email sending behaviors.
Key considerations
- Trust Engagement Data: Since spam traps are designed to be inactive, any recorded opens or clicks on your campaigns are highly unlikely to originate from a spam trap, indicating genuine user interaction.
- Focus on List Hygiene: The presence of a spam trap on your email list, regardless of its activity, signals a critical issue with list acquisition or maintenance, necessitating immediate action to protect your sender reputation.
- No Data Manipulation: The inert nature of spam traps means they do not inflate or skew engagement metrics, allowing for more accurate analysis of legitimate subscriber behavior and campaign performance.
Technical article
Documentation from Validity explains that spam traps are email addresses specifically designed to catch spammers and are not active users. They do not open emails or click on links, as their sole purpose is to identify unsolicited mail.
12 Mar 2024 - Validity
Technical article
Documentation from Cisco Talos Intelligence Group explains that spam traps are email addresses intentionally set up to receive spam. They are inert and not associated with any active user, thus they do not generate opens, clicks, or any other form of engagement.
18 Nov 2021 - Cisco Talos Intelligence Group
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