Akismet is a freemium WordPress plugin for reducing spam. It is especially useful when a site lets visitors post blog comments, because every open message channel can attract unwanted submissions. section 5.1 section 9.6.1
Instead of relying only on a hand-maintained list of blocked words or URLs, Akismet uses AI tools to compare potential spam with a global database of known spam. This can greatly reduce unwanted messages while keeping moderation more manageable. section 5.1 section 9.6.1
A blog with open comments
A site that publishes posts and invites reader replies needs to decide what happens to incoming comments. WordPress can moderate or trash messages using words and URLs you specify; if that becomes too limited, Akismet offers a more robust, flexible way to automatically block spam. section 9.6.1
Use Akismet when these conditions fit:
- Your blog allows visitors to submit comments and spam is becoming a concern. section 5.1
- Manual comment rules based on words or URLs are not robust or flexible enough. section 9.6.1
- You want an AI-based spam filter that requires little setup. section 9.6.1
- You understand that personal use is free, while commercial use requires payment. section 5.1
Comments are not the only spam doorway: contact forms can also receive bad submissions. For form-specific protection, WPForms includes anti-spam measures such as CAPTCHA, which asks a visitor to complete a puzzle or math problem before submitting. section 5.1 section 9.6.1
