This article explains how SmarterMail Plus Addressing works and how it can help organise incoming email, reduce inbox clutter, track signups, and identify the source of unwanted email.
Using Plus Addressing in SmarterMail
SmarterMail supports a feature called Plus Addressing (sometimes known as Subaddressing or Tagged Addresses).
This allows you to create variations of your existing email address by adding a plus sign (+) and a keyword after your mailbox name.
Examples
- joe@hsws.com
- joe+amazon@hsws.com
- joe+newsletters@hsws.com
- joe+support@hsws.com
All of these addresses still deliver into the same mailbox:
joe@hsws.com
However, SmarterMail can automatically separate and organise these messages into folders based on the text after the plus sign.
Table of Contents
What Is Plus Addressing?
Plus Addressing allows you to add extra text after your mailbox name using a plus sign.
The format is:
username+tag@yourdomain.com
SmarterMail recognises these addresses as belonging to the original mailbox owner.
For example:
joe+shopping@hsws.com
still delivers into:
joe@hsws.com
How It Works
When an email is sent to a Plus Address:
- The message is delivered to the main mailbox
- SmarterMail detects the text after the plus sign
- A matching folder may automatically be created
- The email can be stored directly in that folder
This helps reduce inbox clutter and automatically categorise messages.
Example
Imagine your main mailbox is:
joe@hsws.com
You sign up to Amazon using:
joe+amazon@hsws.com
And newsletters using:
joe+newsletters@hsws.com
SmarterMail can then automatically:
- Create a folder called amazon
- Create a folder called newsletters
- Store matching emails directly into those folders
This keeps the Inbox significantly cleaner and more organised.
Benefits of Plus Addressing
Better Organisation
Emails can automatically be grouped based on their purpose or origin.
No Extra Mailboxes Required
Unlimited tagged variations can be created without purchasing additional mailbox licences.
Spam Tracking
You can quickly identify which website or company leaked or shared your email address.
Improved Productivity
Separating invoices, shopping, newsletters, and support messages reduces inbox overload.
Common Use Cases
| Use Case | Example Address | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Online Shopping | joe+amazon@hsws.com | Track retailer emails |
| Newsletters | joe+newsletters@hsws.com | Separate marketing emails |
| Support Tickets | joe+support@hsws.com | Organise support communication |
| Client Projects | joe+projectx@hsws.com | Group project-specific mail |
| Testing | joe+testing@hsws.com | Useful for developers and QA |
Automatic Folder Creation
SmarterMail can automatically create folders based on the plus tag used.
For example:
joe+finance@hsws.com joe+accounts@hsws.com joe+receipts@hsws.com
may automatically create:
- finance
- accounts
- receipts
Incoming emails can then be delivered directly into those folders.
Tracking Spam & Data Sharing
One of the most useful benefits of Plus Addressing is identifying where unwanted email originated from.
- You register on a website using joe+website1@hsws.com
- Months later spam begins arriving to that exact address
- You immediately know which service leaked or shared the address
This can help identify poor privacy or data-sharing practices.
Limitations & Things to Know
Some Websites Reject Plus Addresses
Some websites incorrectly reject email addresses containing the + symbol.
Not a Separate Mailbox
Plus Addresses are aliases of the main mailbox, not independent accounts.
Not a Security Feature
Plus Addressing should not be considered confidential or secure.
Folder Behaviour May Vary
Automatic folder sorting may depend on server or mailbox rule configuration.
Best Practices
- Use simple and memorable tags
- Use different tags for different services
- Create mailbox rules for important categories
- Do not use Plus Addressing for confidential security workflows
- Use it primarily for organisation and spam tracking
Final Thoughts
Plus Addressing is a powerful feature built into SmarterMail that helps users better organise email, reduce inbox clutter, and identify where emails originate from.
It is especially useful for businesses, developers, online shopping, newsletters, and users who receive large amounts of email daily.
When used properly, Plus Addressing can dramatically improve mailbox management without requiring additional mailbox licences or separate accounts.
