8 Ways to Spot a Spam Website Before You Click

When you see an ad online, it’s sometimes hard to distinguish whether or not the website you’re visiting is legitimate.

There are several signs that you can look out for that will help you identify spam websites and avoid falling victim to their scams or malware attacks.

Here are some examples of spam websites, why they are spammy, and what you can do if you find yourself on one of them.

1) The Length of the Domain

Many scammy websites, such as lottery and money-making schemes, typically have domain names that are very long and difficult to read.

Also, these sites might not have contact information readily available, or the site might not seem professional. This is another indicator that the website you're on is probably unsafe.

If a website looks sketchy, research it before clicking any links.

2) Does the Site Have an About Page?

A site with an About page is more likely to be legitimate than one that doesn't. And if you can't find any information on the site, it could be because they don't want you looking too closely.

Check for real names and contact information, which will make verifying their legitimacy easier. Also, note how old the website appears; anything less than two years old is suspect.

3) Is There an Email Address Listed on the Site?

One of the best ways to spot a spam website is by looking for an email address. If there is no email address listed on the site, it may be because they don't want you to contact them.

This could be because they are operating illegally or they are trying to collect information about you without giving you any way to contact them.

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4) How Are Advertisements Handled?

Advertising is a necessary part of any website but it can be tricky to navigate how much advertising is too much. We strive for the perfect balance of advertising on our site and we want readers to feel that they are being heard.

As such, we will never over-advertise or shove ads in your face. We also don't publish sponsored articles which eliminate the risk of you getting an advertisement disguised as an opinion piece.

5) Do They Promise Too Much?

If the website promises you everything and the kitchen sink, it's a bad sign. If they're promising something too good to be true, you should probably stay away. The quality of their content is also important - if they don't have anything written on their site other than ads, then steer clear.

What Do Others Think?: Check out what others are saying about the site by looking at ratings or reviews left on third-party sites like Yelp or Fiverr.

6) Does Any Content Make You Feel Uncomfortable?

If anything about the website you're on makes you feel uncomfortable, it's probably spam. It could be the layout, design, or content of the site. Some sites may even seem completely legitimate but are really designed to steal information from your computer.

For example, they may have a pop-up that is disguised as an advertisement and will ask you for your personal information before allowing you access to their site. If this happens, don't enter any of your personal information!

7) What Type of Call-to-Action Text Are They Using?

The most apparent sign of spam is the use of hyperbolic language. If they sound too good to be true, they probably are. If it's too good to be true, they're spamming you. Another indication is website design.

A lot of the time, spammers will have the same template site with multiple accounts that all look nearly identical with just slight changes in colors and images.

8) Are There Any Google Ads on the Site?

Check the top of the site for Google AdSense ads. If there are any, click on one and see if you can find the same website advertised within the Google search results. If so, this is not a spam site.

If you see an ad for Nigerian scams or something similar, that's usually not a good sign either.

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