Getting Spam Emails from Your WordPress Website? How to Fix Them

Introduction

If you’re getting spam emails from your WordPress website, you’re definitely not alone. Almost every website owner faces this annoying problem at some point. Spam emails usually come through contact forms, comment sections, or even fake account sign-ups. Not only are they frustrating, but they can also clutter your inbox, waste your time, and even slow down your site’s performance if left unchecked.

Imagine waking up to hundreds of spammy form submissions—fake offers, bot-generated messages, or phishing attempts. It feels overwhelming and makes it harder to focus on real customer inquiries. The good news? You don’t have to just accept it as “part of running a site.” There are practical ways to block spam, filter unwanted messages, and secure your WordPress site without complicating things.

In this article, we’ll walk through why spam happens, how it affects your site, and—most importantly—simple, effective methods to fix spam emails in WordPress so you can get back to focusing on what matters: real conversations with your audience.

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Why You’re Getting Spam Emails on WordPress

Before fixing the issue, it helps to understand where the spam is coming from. Most spam emails on WordPress happen because:

• Contact forms with no protection – Bots can easily fill out forms without CAPTCHA or filters.
• Comment sections left open – Spammers love targeting blogs without moderation.
• Fake account sign-ups – Especially common if you run WooCommerce or membership sites.
• Weak security settings – Outdated plugins or themes can create loopholes.

In short, spam happens because bots are automated to target WordPress sites. The more visible your site becomes, the more likely you’ll get hit with spam.

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How Spam Emails Affect Your WordPress Site

At first, spam emails may just seem like an inconvenience, but over time they can create bigger problems:

• Cluttered inbox – Important customer emails get buried under junk.
• Lost leads – You may miss real opportunities hidden among spam.
• Slower site performance – Bots sending spam submissions can put pressure on your server.
• Security risks – Some spam emails include malicious links or phishing attempts.

By letting spam go unchecked, you risk frustrating your team, losing potential clients, and even compromising your site’s security.

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How to Fix Spam Emails from Your WordPress Website

Here’s the good news: blocking spam emails doesn’t have to be complicated. You can combine a few simple strategies to stop most of them in their tracks.

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1. Use CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA on Forms

One of the easiest and most effective fixes is adding CAPTCHA or Google reCAPTCHA to your contact forms. This forces users to verify they’re human before submitting.

• Install plugins like reCaptcha by BestWebSoft or Contact Form 7 reCAPTCHA.
• Use the invisible reCAPTCHA option so it won’t disrupt user experience.
• Add it to all forms, including login, sign-up, and comment forms.

This simple step can block the majority of automated spam bots.

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2. Install an Anti-Spam Plugin

Plugins make the process much easier. Some of the most popular include:

• Akismet Anti-Spam – Comes pre-installed with WordPress, great for blocking comment spam.
• CleanTalk – Protects forms, comments, and registrations in one go.
• Antispam Bee – Lightweight and effective for blogs.

These plugins work by filtering suspicious messages before they reach your inbox.

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3. Turn Off Comments (or Moderate Them)

If your WordPress site doesn’t need a comment section, consider disabling it entirely.

• Go to Settings → Discussion and uncheck “Allow people to submit comments.”
• Or, enable comment moderation so you can approve real comments manually.

This way, spammers lose one of their favorite entry points.

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4. Block Fake Account Sign-Ups

If you allow user registration (for WooCommerce stores, memberships, or forums), spammers may try to create fake accounts. To prevent this:

• Enable email verification for sign-ups.
• Add honeypot fields (invisible to users but detectable by bots).
• Use plugins like WPForms or RegistrationMagic with built-in anti-spam tools.

This makes it much harder for bots to slip through.

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5. Use Email Filtering at the Server Level

Sometimes, spam emails bypass WordPress completely and land directly in your inbox. To fix this:

• Use email filters in Gmail, Outlook, or your webmail provider.
• Block common spam words (like “free money,” “casino,” or “loan”).
• Enable spam protection at the hosting level if your provider offers it.

This adds another layer of protection outside WordPress.

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6. Keep Your WordPress Site Secure

Spam often increases when your site is vulnerable. Stay protected by:

• Regularly updating WordPress, themes, and plugins.
• Using a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri.
• Limiting login attempts and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA).

The stronger your site’s defenses, the harder it is for spammers to exploit it.

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Best Practices to Reduce Spam Long-Term

To keep spam under control, follow these ongoing practices:

• Review form settings and security once a month.
• Update plugins to ensure you’re using the latest anti-spam technology.
• Avoid displaying your email address publicly—use forms instead.
• Monitor your inbox regularly for patterns in spam messages.

A little maintenance goes a long way in preventing spam from becoming overwhelming.

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Wrapping It Up

If you’re tired of getting spam emails from your WordPress website, you don’t have to put up with it anymore. By adding CAPTCHA, using anti-spam plugins, moderating comments, blocking fake sign-ups, and tightening security, you can drastically reduce unwanted emails.

Spam may never disappear completely, but with the right setup, you’ll only see a trickle instead of a flood. That means less time deleting junk and more time engaging with real customers.

Take a few minutes to apply these fixes today—you’ll thank yourself the next time you check your inbox and only see genuine inquiries waiting for you.