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Spammy New Users on Website

by blairquane
10 replies
I have a site, which all of a sudden is getting a lot of new users registering via the newsletter subscribe form on the site. The users emails are all from a range of free email address providers like oricoupon.buzz or streamboost.xyz etc. These sort of email address providers are know to be spammy and people use them for registering on sites, then the email address disappears, i.e. isn't a permanent email address, from what I understand.
Why do people bother with this? Is there a plugin I can use to stop this happening?
#spammy #users #website
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Do you send a confirmation email? Do they confirm? The specific ones you mention are likely promotional attempts....not smart promo attempts but....



    Why do they do it? Because there are some really strange people in the world....and a whole lot of bots, too.
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    • Profile picture of the author blairquane
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      Do you send a confirmation email? Do they confirm? The specific ones you mention are likely promotional attempts....not smart promo attempts but....



      Why do they do it? Because there are some really strange people in the world....and a whole lot of bots, too.
      No, we don't send a confirmation email currently. I guess that's a way to vet out the real people who actually want to subscribe and hear from us.
      You're right about strange people!
      I'll look for a way to automate a confirmation email. Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Yes - and keeps your list fairly accurate. If you use an autoresponder that charges by size of list....you can see the advantages.
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    • Profile picture of the author blairquane
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      Yes - and keeps your list fairly accurate. If you use an autoresponder that charges by size of list....you can see the advantages.
      Good point, because my mail software does indeed charge by the size of the list!
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  • Profile picture of the author daisyscott01
    Banned
    You can use two way verification by entering phone number also. This will help you to keep out spammy users.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    You can use two way verification
    Spammers will give you a fake phone number just as they give fake email addresses...that's why confirmation emails work.


    I am not on any list signup that requires a phone number - none. I won't lie about it and I don't give my phone to strangers.


    Point is - there are various avenues to choose - but always remember keep it simple so you avoid making it harder for those people to get and stay on your list.


    I would start with confirmation emails. In fact, if your list is large at this time you might consider sending a confirmation email to part of all of your list (with a free offer, for example) to dump some of the deadwood on the list.
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    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    2024 Patriot's Award for Service to Veterans
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    • Profile picture of the author blairquane
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      Spammers will give you a fake phone number just as they give fake email addresses...that's why confirmation emails work.


      I am not on any list signup that requires a phone number - none. I won't lie about it and I don't give my phone to strangers.


      Point is - there are various avenues to choose - but always remember keep it simple so you avoid making it harder for those people to get and stay on your list.


      I would start with confirmation emails. In fact, if your list is large at this time you might consider sending a confirmation email to part of all of your list (with a free offer, for example) to dump some of the deadwood on the list.
      Thanks - I have set up the confirmation email progress and hey-presto! No more sign ups from spammers over the last 24hrs. My list is manageable and I've weeded the deadwood manually, so it's all looking a lot more healthy as a list.
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  • Profile picture of the author Citronics
    you need to fight bots by linking the site to the spam filter. Or by checking the administration of everyone who wants to register
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    • Profile picture of the author blairquane
      Originally Posted by Citronics View Post

      you need to fight bots by linking the site to the spam filter. Or by checking the administration of everyone who wants to register
      Thanks - I did the spam filter and it has improved things. I'm not really keen on checking everyone who registers as it takes up time, but maybe that will be needed as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Old Molases
    These can be bots too. Add a captcha on your site to get rid of bots.
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