# Spam trap

Source: https://joinbreaker.ai/newsletter-glossary/spam-trap

An email address set up by [ISP](/newsletter-glossary/isp)s or [blocklist](/newsletter-glossary/blacklist-blocklist) providers to catch spammers. Sending to one can damage your sender reputation.

There are two types of spam traps:

1. **Recycled spam traps:** these are old, unused email inboxes which ISPs repurpose into spam traps. Occasionally mailing a small number recycled spam traps is not uncommon for high volume senders and doesn't dramatically impact deliverability as long as engagement and reputation are high and the list is re-validated on a regular basis.
1. **Pristine spam traps:** these are spam traps created by ISPs or blocklist providers for the explicit purpose of identifying senders who are buying or sharing lists. Hitting a pristine spam trap can have immediate consequences for email [deliverability](/newsletter-glossary/deliverability).