Introduction
Managing form submissions on your WordPress site can be a hassle, especially when spam emails flood your inbox. Fortunately, I’ve discovered effective methods to block these pesky submissions right from the start. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to use the Allowlist/Denylist feature in WPForms to keep spam at bay. By following these steps, you can ensure that only valid email addresses make it through your forms.
Why Should You Block Spam Email Addresses?
Blocking spam email addresses in your WordPress forms is necessary for maintaining a clean inbox and improving the quality of your leads. Here are a few reasons why you should take action:
- Prevent Inbox Flooding: Junk submissions can bury genuine entries, making it difficult to manage real inquiries. By blocking unwanted emails, you’ll easily maintain an organized inbox.
- Improve Email Deliverability: Sending emails to fake addresses raises your bounce rate, which can harm your sender reputation. Keeping your list clean ensures your emails reach the intended recipients.
- Focus on Real Users: You can allow business emails while blocking disposable addresses, ensuring that only legitimate users are submitting forms.
Setting Up Email Blocking in WPForms
To efficiently block unwanted email addresses, the Allowlist/Denylist feature in WPForms is your best ally. This powerful contact form plugin offers a range of options to filter spam, making it easier for you to manage submissions. (WordPress.org)
Step 1: Install and Activate WPForms
Begin by installing and activating the WPForms plugin on your website. To do this, navigate to your WordPress admin area, go to Plugins > Add New, and search for ‘WPForms’. Click Install Now, and once it’s done, hit the Activate button.
It’s worth noting that the Allowlist/Denylist feature is available in the free version of WPForms, so you can start using it right away! However, for more advanced features, consider upgrading to WPForms Pro. You might also enjoy our guide on SaaS Application Hosting Guide for 2026.
Step 2: Access Your Form and Email Field
After activating the plugin, head over to WPForms > All Forms in your WordPress dashboard. Click the Edit link under the form you want to modify.
If you haven’t created a form yet, simply go to WPForms > Add New Form. You can choose from various templates for contact forms, surveys, or more. These templates save time and smooth out the setup process.
Step 3: Configure Allowlist and Denylist Options
Now, locate the ‘Email’ field in your form. Click on it to open its settings in the left column. Switch to the Advanced tab and scroll down to find the Allowlist/Denylist option.
By default, this is set to ‘None’, allowing anyone to submit the form. To manage entries better, switch to ‘Denylist’ or ‘Allowlist’:
- Denylist: Add email addresses or domains you want to block. This is perfect for preventing spam submissions from known disposable email providers.
- Allowlist: Only let specific email addresses or domains pass through. This is stricter and ensures that only trusted users can submit your form.
Practical Applications of Allowlist and Denylist
Here are some ways you can effectively use the Denylist and Allowlist:
Denylist Applications
- Block disposable email providers, like
@mailinator.com, to prevent spam. - Restrict personal email services for business forms, ensuring only company emails are accepted.
- Filter out emails from specific countries, helping to guard against unwanted submissions.
Allowlist Applications
- Limit access to submissions from partner organizations, like
@partner.org. - Only accept entries from employees, like
@company.com. - Allow submissions exclusively from local customers, such as
*.ukfor U.K.-based users.
Helpful Tips for Using Allowlist and Denylist
- Use Wildcards: The asterisk (*) can act as a wildcard, allowing you to block or allow any email from a specific domain (e.g.,
*@spammydomain.com). - Be Cautious: When blocking major providers like Gmail, ensure it’s necessary; otherwise, you could prevent genuine customers from reaching out.
- Common Disposable Domains: Consider adding common disposable email services to your denylist, such as:
*@mailinator.com*@temp-mail.com*@10minutemail.com
Conclusion
Blocking unwanted email submissions in your WordPress forms is a straightforward process that can have a significant impact on your site’s efficiency. By using the Allowlist/Denylist feature in WPForms, you can easily manage spam and focus on the leads that matter. Take control of your inbox today and enjoy a cleaner, more organized approach to form submissions. For more tips, check out Mastering WordPress Multisite for Your Business.