What is spam trap seeding?

Spam trap seeding places trap addresses where spammers will collect them. Operators deliberately expose addresses through web pages, forums, or data sales. When messages arrive at these addresses, the sender is identified as a spammer.

Seeding strategies: posting on pages scrapers target, selling addresses in known spam list markets, and planting in databases likely to be breached. Each placement targets different spam acquisition methods.

Legitimate senders avoid traps by: never purchasing lists, using confirmed opt-in, removing bouncing addresses, and maintaining list hygiene. Traps only catch senders who acquired addresses through illegitimate means.