How to Stop Spam Comments on WordPress?

Spam comments can quickly become a nuisance for WordPress site owners. Not only do they clutter your comment sections, but they also pose potential security risks and can affect your site’s SEO. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to stop spam comments on WordPress without compromising genuine user interaction.

1. Use an Anti-Spam Plugin

Installing a reliable anti-spam plugin is one of the most effective ways to block spam automatically.

Recommended Plugins:

• ✅ Akismet Anti-Spam
  Developed by Automattic, Akismet checks your comments and contact form submissions against a global database of spam to prevent malicious content.
• ✅ Antispam Bee
  A lightweight plugin that blocks spam without requiring a CAPTCHA and works well for GDPR-compliant sites.
• ✅ WP Armour – Honeypot Anti Spam
  Uses honeypot techniques to trap spam bots without affecting user experience.

2. Enable Comment Moderation Settings

WordPress includes built-in features that help reduce spam when properly configured.

Steps to Follow:

• Go to Settings > Discussion in your WordPress dashboard
  (Guide on WordPress Discussion Settings)
• Check the option: “Comment must be manually approved”
• Use the Comment Blacklist to block specific keywords, URLs, IPs, or email addresses

3. Use reCAPTCHA on Comment Forms

Adding Google reCAPTCHA to your forms helps ensure that only human visitors can leave comments.

Plugin to Use:

• ✅ reCAPTCHA by BestWebSoft
  Easily integrates with comment forms, registration pages, and login screens.

4. Disable Comments on Old Posts

Spam bots often target older blog posts. Disabling comments on posts older than a specific number of days can help.

How To Do It:

• Go to Settings > Discussion
• Check: “Automatically close comments on articles older than [X] days”
  (WordPress Support – Discussion Settings)

5. Use a Third-Party Comment System

Consider replacing the native WordPress comment system with a more secure third-party solution.

Popular Options:

• 💬 Disqus – Offers advanced spam protection, moderation tools, and user authentication.
• 💬 Jetpack Comments – Enhances the comment experience with spam filtering powered by Akismet.

Conclusion

Preventing spam comments on your WordPress site is not just about reducing clutter—it also protects your website’s reputation and SEO. By using the right combination of plugins and native settings, you can create a safer and more engaging environment for your readers.