How do I set up an spam-proof e-mail link?

Updater 4.2 Support

A big concern today is e-mail spam. We all get it at one point or another, however, setting up an e-mail link right can reduce or even prevent your e-mail on your website from being spammed.

This tutorial will show you some basics on how to reduce spam or cut it out altogether when creating an e-mail link in your content.

1. You must first edit the content you wish to add the link. Go to AcuWeb Menu and click on "Content" from the drop-down menu.
2. Search for the content you wish to add the e-mail link to using keyword or page search.
3. When you find the content to edit, click on the title to go to the content editor.

Text Method

IMPORTANT: DO NOT put your e-mail address in plain text on your website. This will ensure your e-mail will be spammed!
Ex: johndoe@yourdomain.com

An effective way to trick the spiders that crawl the web to harvest e-mail addresses is to disguise your e-mail address by stripping out periods and "@" symbols.
Ex: johndoe at yourdomain dot com

Another way to cut down on spam is to avoid using the word 'e-mail' altogether. In this case, the linked text is "Contact John Doe" and the e-mail linked to it is johndoe@yourdomain.com.
Ex: Contact John Doe

1. To apply any of the text methods, create the text then highlight it in the story body.
2. Click on the link button on the content editor. A pop up box will appear.
3. In the Link Type drop-down list, choose "E-Mail".
4. For E-Mail Address, type in the full e-mail address in the box.
   
   
   
5. Message subject and message body are optional fields, however, if you want to use them, they can be beneficial.
6. When done, press "OK" to insert the link in your content editor.
7. Click the "Save Changes" button at the top of the page.

Javascript Method

If you want to avoid spamming altogether, you can use e-mail spam reducer method. This method actually breaks up the e-mail address link behind the scenes which prevent spiders from harvesting your e-mail address in the code. When the link is clicked, some special script puts it back together again so it works properly.

Note: You must be familiar with HTML or willing to try looking at HTML code in the source view. If you are uncomfortable doing this method, but would really like it, please contact Acuity using the form on the left and we can set it up for you.

1. To apply this method, click on the "Source" button on the content editor and copy the code below and paste it in the very top of your content above everything else:
   
   <script language="JavaScript">
function buildLink(unom){ var at = "@"; var dnom = "yourdomain.com";
var newLoc = "mailto:"+unom+at+dnom; window.location=(newLoc);}
</script>
   
2. Change out the "yourdomain.com" with whatever domain your e-mails on that page will be using.
3. Click the "Source" button to go back to the preview of your content.
4. Create the text (see text method above) then highlight it in the story body.
5. Click on the link button on the content editor. A pop up box will appear.
6. In the Link Type drop-down list, choose "E-Mail".
7. For E-Mail Address, type in the full e-mail address in the box.
8. Message subject and message body are optional fields, however, if you want to use them, they can be beneficial.
9. When done, press "OK" to insert the link in your content editor.
10. You are not done yet. Click on the "Source" button one more time and find the e-mail link in your code. It should look something like this:
    <a href="mailto:johndoe@yourdomain.com">Contact John Doe<a>
11. Remove this part <a href="mailto:johndoe@yourdomain.com">
    and substitute it with this code <a href="javascript:buildLink('johndoe');"> where johndoe is your prefix of your email address.
    
    
12. When done, click the "Save Changes" button at the top of the page.