Defending Your Site: How to Stop Contact Form Spam in WordPress

Spam submissions through contact forms are a headache for WordPress site owners. From fake leads to phishing attempts, spam not only clutters your inbox but can also put your website’s security at risk. Luckily, you don’t have to put up with it! Here’s how you can stop contact form spam in WordPress and keep your site protected.

Why Does Contact Form Spam Happen?

Automated bots constantly scan websites looking for forms to exploit. They submit unsolicited advertisements, malicious links, or fake inquiries in bulk—often using scripts that bypass basic validation. Human spammers may also fill in forms manually. If your contact form is not protected, you could end up with an overwhelming amount of junk mail.

Proven Strategies to Stop Contact Form Spam in WordPress

1. Use a Trusted Form Plugin

Start with a reputable contact form plugin that includes anti-spam features by default. Plugins like WPForms, Ninja Forms, and Contact Form 7 all offer built-in spam protection options.

2. Enable Google reCAPTCHA

reCAPTCHA is a free tool from Google that distinguishes between human users and bots. Most popular WordPress form plugins support reCAPTCHA v2 (“I’m not a robot” checkbox) or v3 (invisible scoring system).

Register your website at Google reCAPTCHA.
Enter your keys into your WordPress form plugin settings.
Add reCAPTCHA to your contact forms.

3. Enable the WP Mail SMTP Anti-Spam Protection

If you use WP Mail SMTP, turn on its built-in anti-spam features. This can block common spam bot tactics and ensure legitimate submissions reach your inbox.

Go to WP Mail SMTP > Settings > Misc.
Enable the “Protect Forms from Spam” option.

4. Add a Honeypot Field

A honeypot is a hidden field in your form that’s invisible to humans but visible to bots. If this field is filled in, the submission is blocked. Most modern form plugins have this feature.

5. Block IPs and Limit Submissions

Some plugins allow you to block certain IP addresses or limit the number of form submissions per user in a given time period. This reduces spam attacks from repeat offenders.

6. Use Akismet

Akismet is a powerful anti-spam service often bundled with WordPress. Some form plugins integrate directly with Akismet, adding an extra layer of protection against unwanted submissions.

7. Disable Auto-Publish and Moderate Submissions

Never set contact form submissions to auto-publish as comments or posts. Always review and moderate form responses before publishing or responding.

Troubleshooting Contact Form Spam

Still seeing spam after using these tools? Double-check that your reCAPTCHA keys are correct and not expired. Try updating your form plugin and WordPress core. If needed, consider combining multiple anti-spam measures for stronger protection.

Call to Action

Have you struggled to stop contact form spam in WordPress? What solutions worked best for you? Share your tips in the comments to help fellow WordPress users keep their sites secure and spam-free!