There is disclosed a system and method for managing spam within an email message stream. In an embodiment, a method comprises defining a plurality of anti-spam filter levels where each anti-spam filter level includes at least one anti-spam module configurable for filtering spam messages. An anti-spam request including a user preferred anti-spam filter level is generated and communicated to the preferred anti-spam filter level. The anti-spam request is implemented on at least one anti-spam module in the preferred anti-spam filter level based on at least one predetermined criterion. If the anti-spam request cannot be implemented at the preferred anti-spam filter level, the anti-spam request is implemented on at least one anti-spam module at another anti-spam filter level.