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NFT Spam Detection

Our APIs automatically identify and filter potentially harmful or unwanted NFTs while giving you full control over the user experience.

Overview​

NFT spam has become a significant problem in the ecosystem, with bad actors using airdrops to distribute scam NFTs, phishing attempts, and low-quality content. Our spam detection system analyzes multiple signals to identify problematic collections and provides flexible filtering options for developers.

Key Features:

  • Automatic spam detection with scores from 0-100
  • Default filtering to protect users by default
  • Flexible controls for custom filtering experiences
  • Real-time spam score updates

How Spam Detection Works​

Our spam detection algorithm analyzes multiple signals to calculate a spam score between 0-100, where higher scores indicate a higher likelihood of spam.

Detection Criteria​

We evaluate collections based on these key factors:

  1. Centralization of Ownership

    • Analyzes how distributed ownership is across wallets
    • Highly centralized collections often indicate artificial activity

  2. All-Time Volume

    • Examines historical trading volume and patterns
    • Legitimate collections typically show organic trading activity

  3. Unique Interactors

    • Counts the number of unique wallets that have interacted with the collection
    • Spam collections often have limited genuine user interaction

  4. Honey Pot Airdrops

    • Detects patterns consistent with malicious airdrop campaigns
    • Identifies collections used for phishing or scam attempts

  5. User Reporting

    • Incorporates community feedback and user reports
    • Helps identify new spam patterns quickly

Spam Score Calculation​

  • Score Range: 0-100 (higher = more likely spam)
  • Threshold: Collections scoring >50 are considered spam

Using the Hidden Filter​

The simplest way to handle spam is to use the hidden filter found the nftBalances portfolio endpoint. When hidden=false, NFTs that have been identified as spam will not be returned.

Basic Hidden Filter Usage​

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Example Variables​

{
  "addresses": [
    "0x52c8ff44260056f896e20d8a43610dd88f05701b"
  ],
  "first": 10,
  "order": {
    "by": "LAST_RECEIVED"
  },
  "filters": {
    "hidden": false  // When false it will not return NFTs that have been indetified as spam
  }
}

Showing Hidden/Spam NFTs​

To show spam NFTs (for advanced users or debugging), set hidden: true:

{
  "addresses": [
    "0x52c8ff44260056f896e20d8a43610dd88f05701b"
  ],
  "filters": {
    "hidden": true  // Returns only NFTs identified as spam
  }
}
warning

Be cautious when showing spam NFTs to users, as they may contain malicious content or phishing attempts.

Checking Collection Spam Scores​

For more granular control, you can query the spamScore of specific collections using the nftCollectionV2 endpoint.

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Example Variables​

{
  "input": {
    "address": "0xce2830932889c7fb5e5206287c43554e673dcc88",
    "chainId": 8453
  }
}

Example Query​

query SpamExample($input: NftCollectionInputV2) {
  nftCollectionV2(input: $input) {
    name
    spamScore
    address
    networkV2 {
      chainId
      name
    }
  }
}

Example Response​

{
  "data": {
    "nftCollectionV2": {
      "name": "OK COMPUTERS",
      "spamScore": "0",
      "address": "0xce2830932889c7fb5e5206287c43554e673dcc88",
      "networkV2": {
        "chainId": 8453,
        "name": "Base"
      }
    }
  }
}

Including Spam Scores in Portfolio Responses​

You can include spam scores directly in the nftBalances portfolio endpoint to build custom filtering experiences.

Example Query with Spam Scores​

query NFTBalances_WithSpamScores($addresses: [Address!]!, $first: Int, $order: PortfolioV2NftBalanceByTokenInputInput) {
  portfolioV2(addresses: $addresses) {
    nftBalances {
      totalBalanceUSD
      totalTokensOwned
      byToken(first: $first, order: $order) {
        edges {
          node {
            lastReceived
            token {
              tokenId
              name
              description
              supply
              circulatingSupply
              estimatedValue {
                valueUsd
                valueWithDenomination
                denomination {
                  address
                  symbol
                  network
                }
              }
              collection {
                network
                address
                name
                type
                spamScore  # Include spam score
                deployer
                deployedAt
                owner
                medias {
                  logo {
                    mimeType
                    fileSize
                    blurhash
                    height
                    width
                    originalUri
                    original
                    large
                    medium
                    thumbnail
                    predominantColor
                  }
                }
              }
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Example Response with Spam Score​

{
  "data": {
    "portfolioV2": {
      "nftBalances": {
        "totalBalanceUSD": 7330.6878496656,
        "totalTokensOwned": "31134",
        "byToken": {
          "edges": [
            {
              "node": {
                "lastReceived": 1734390407000,
                "token": {
                  "tokenId": "11410",
                  "name": "Opepen 11410",
                  "description": "This artwork may or may not be handmade.",
                  "supply": "1",
                  "circulatingSupply": "1",
                  "estimatedValue": {
                    "valueUsd": 458.7449105987138,
                    "valueWithDenomination": 0.2543792169395613,
                    "denomination": {
                      "address": "0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000",
                      "symbol": "ETH",
                      "network": "ethereum"
                    }
                  },
                  "collection": {
                    "network": "ETHEREUM_MAINNET",
                    "address": "0x6339e5e072086621540d0362c4e3cea0d643e114",
                    "name": "Opepen Edition",
                    "type": "GENERAL",
                    "spamScore": "0",
                    "deployer": "0xf74b146ce44cc162b601dec3be331784db111dc1",
                    "deployedAt": 1673205671000,
                    "owner": "0xc8f8e2f59dd95ff67c3d39109eca2e2a017d4c8a"
                  }
                }
              }
            }
          ]
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Custom Filtering Strategies​

With access to spam scores, you can implement custom filtering strategies:

Custom Threshold​

// Set a custom threshold
const userThreshold = 30; // User preference
const shouldShow = collection.spamScore <= userThreshold;

Graduated Display​

// Show different UI based on spam score
if (collection.spamScore <= 50) {
  // Display normally
} else if (collection.spamScore <= 75) {
  // Display with warning
} else {
  // Hide or show with strong warning
}

Best Practices​

1. Default to Safety​

Always use the default hidden: false filter unless users explicitly request to see spam NFTs.

// Good: Safe by default
const filters = { hidden: false };

// Risky: Showing all NFTs including spam
const filters = { hidden: true };

2. Provide User Control​

For advanced users, consider providing spam score thresholds as a setting:

const userSettings = {
  spamThreshold: 50, // User-defined comfort level
  showWarnings: true  // Show warnings for borderline NFTs
};

3. Monitor and Report​

Help improve the system by reporting false positives or new spam patterns.

Learn more about the endpoints used in spam detection:

Summary​

Our NFT spam detection system provides multiple layers of protection while maintaining flexibility for developers:

  • Automatic Protection: Default filtering keeps users safe
  • Granular Control: Spam scores allow custom filtering logic
  • Real-time Updates: Scores update as new data becomes available
  • User Choice: Let users decide their comfort level with spam

By leveraging these tools, you can create a safer, more enjoyable NFT experience for your users while maintaining the flexibility to handle edge cases and power user needs.