Forms and newsletters are prime targets for spam bots seeking to spread unwanted content. Here's how to effectively reduce form spam on your site:

Common Spam Characteristics

• Random strings of characters in subject lines
• Suspicious payment links
• Unknown names and email addresses
• Unsolicited promotional content

Primary Prevention Methods

Google reCAPTCHA

• Invisible tool that differentiates between humans and bots
• Available for forms, newsletters, pop-ups, and waiting lists
• Shows small logo at bottom of forms
• Most effective spam prevention method

Confirmation Emails

• Requires email verification before form submission
• Available through Squarespace and Mailchimp
• Squarespace: Active for newsletters, pop-ups, cover pages
• Mailchimp: Enabled by default (called double opt-in)

Handling Spam Submissions

When using email storage:

• All submissions come from [email protected]
• Warning appears for suspicious content
• Don't click unknown links
• Use "Report Spam" button for suspicious messages
• Click "Report Not Spam" for incorrectly flagged legitimate messages

Best Practices

• Review all submissions carefully
• Don't click suspicious links
• Ignore random payment requests
• Enable both reCAPTCHA and confirmation emails for maximum protection
• Regularly monitor and report spam to improve detection

While no solution blocks 100% of spam, combining these methods significantly reduces unwanted submissions and protects your forms from abuse.

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