How can I get help with a Spamhaus listing delisting?

Summary

Being listed on Spamhaus significantly harms email deliverability and sender reputation, impacting engagement and revenue. Prevention is key, emphasizing strong authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), proactive reputation monitoring, and list hygiene. If listed, identify the specific list (SBL, CSS, DBL), address underlying issues like spam activity or compromised accounts, and transparently provide detailed remediation steps when requesting delisting. Tools like MultiRBL can help check listings. Patience, politeness, and potentially expert assistance may be required. Warming up IPs for large volume sending is recommended.

Key findings

  • Impact: Spamhaus listings negatively impact deliverability, sender reputation, engagement, and revenue.
  • Prevention: Strong email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), proactive monitoring, and list hygiene are critical.
  • List Specificity: Understanding the specific Spamhaus list (SBL, CSS, DBL) and its delisting criteria is crucial.
  • Remediation: Identify and resolve the underlying issues, providing detailed information to Spamhaus.
  • Transparency: Be transparent and honest in communications with Spamhaus.
  • Expert Assistance: Expert assistance can be helpful, but proceed with caution.
  • Patience: The delisting process can take time, requiring patience and persistence.
  • IP Warming: IP warming is essential for large-volume senders.
  • Detection Tools: Tools like MultiRBL can identify blocklist listings.

Key considerations

  • Cause Identification: Thoroughly investigate the root cause of the Spamhaus listing.
  • System Security: Implement robust security measures to prevent future issues.
  • Authentication Implementation: Properly configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
  • Proactive Monitoring: Continuously monitor sending reputation and identify potential problems early.
  • Communication Strategy: Develop a clear and professional communication strategy for engaging with Spamhaus.
  • Documentation: Document all steps taken to address the listing and prevent recurrence.

What email marketers say
8Marketer opinions

Being listed on Spamhaus can severely impact email deliverability and sender reputation, leading to blocked emails, spam folder placement, reduced engagement, and revenue loss. The primary advice revolves around prevention through strong email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), proactive monitoring of sending reputation, and maintaining good list hygiene. If already listed, immediately identify the cause, secure systems, provide detailed information to Spamhaus about corrective actions, and follow their delisting process patiently and politely. Warming up IP addresses is crucial for large-volume senders.

Key opinions

  • Impact: Spamhaus listings negatively affect deliverability, sender reputation, engagement, and revenue.
  • Prevention: Strong authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and good list hygiene are key to avoiding listings.
  • Remediation: Identify the cause, secure systems, and provide detailed information to Spamhaus.
  • Patience: The delisting process can take time, so persistence and politeness are important.
  • Monitoring: Actively monitor your sending reputation to detect issues early.
  • IP Warming: Warm up new IP addresses when sending large email volumes

Key considerations

  • Cause: Understand the specific reason for the Spamhaus listing to address the root cause.
  • Authentication: Implement and maintain robust email authentication protocols.
  • Communication: Be transparent and provide detailed information to Spamhaus during the delisting process.
  • Reputation: Regularly monitor your sending reputation to identify and resolve potential issues proactively.
  • Security: Ensure your systems are secure to prevent compromised accounts and spamming activity.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass.co states that if you are sending large quantities of emails, it is essential to warm up the IP addresses that you are sending from. This will improve your sender reputation as you begin sending more mail.

July 2022 - Gmass.co
Marketer view

Email marketer from DigitalOcean.com shares that implementing email authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is essential to verify your emails' legitimacy. This can help prevent spammers from forging your domain and reduce the risk of being listed on Spamhaus.

October 2024 - DigitalOcean.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from MailerLite.com shares that being listed on Spamhaus can severely impact email deliverability, leading to emails being blocked or sent to spam folders. They recommend taking immediate action to identify the cause and request delisting.

March 2024 - MailerLite.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailMarketingForum.com shares that patience is essential when dealing with Spamhaus. The delisting process can take time, especially if they are dealing with numerous requests. Be polite, provide all requested information, and follow up periodically.

October 2022 - EmailMarketingForum.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid.com highlights the importance of actively monitoring your sending reputation and using tools to identify potential issues that could lead to Spamhaus listing. Early detection allows for proactive measures to prevent blacklisting.

January 2022 - SendGrid.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow says the best way to deal with Spamhaus is to prevent being listed in the first place. Implement strong authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), monitor your sending reputation, and maintain good list hygiene.

April 2022 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora emphasizes that being listed on Spamhaus can damage your sender reputation, reduce engagement rates, and impact revenue. Therefore, it's crucial to address the issue promptly and implement measures to prevent future listings.

April 2024 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that they had a Spamhaus listing due to compromised accounts and emphasizes the importance of securing your systems and providing detailed information about the steps taken to resolve the issue when requesting delisting. Persistence and clear communication are key.

April 2022 - Reddit

What the experts say
6Expert opinions

Experts advise understanding the specific Spamhaus list you're on (SBL, PBL, XBL) as a crucial first step, since each has different delisting criteria. Transparency and providing detailed remediation steps to Spamhaus are essential when requesting delisting; demonstrate that the problem has been addressed. Offers of direct contact with Spamhaus personnel are made, but it's noted that such outreach should be handled carefully. The goal of Spamhaus is to be comprehensive in tracking spammers to reduce spam.

Key opinions

  • List Specifics: Understanding the specific Spamhaus list is crucial.
  • Transparency: Provide detailed remediation steps to Spamhaus.
  • Direct Contact: Direct contact with Spamhaus personnel can be beneficial but should be approached carefully.
  • Spamhaus Goal: Spamhaus aims to comprehensively track spammers and reduce spam.

Key considerations

  • Identification: Identify the specific Spamhaus list affecting you (SBL, PBL, XBL).
  • Remediation: Document and clearly communicate all steps taken to address the spam issue.
  • Professionalism: Maintain a professional and transparent approach when communicating with Spamhaus.
  • Expert Assistance: Consider leveraging experts who have established relationships with Spamhaus, but do so cautiously.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks offers to send the listing numbers to her Spamhaus contacts to expedite the review process.

June 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from wordtothewise.com explains that when engaging with Spamhaus for delisting, transparency and providing detailed information about the steps you've taken to remediate the issue are crucial. Don't just ask for delisting; demonstrate that you've addressed the problem.

November 2023 - wordtothewise.com
Expert view

Expert from wordtothewise.com emphasizes that understanding the specific Spamhaus list you are on (e.g., SBL, PBL, XBL) is the first crucial step. Each list has different criteria for listing and delisting, and understanding those is key to resolution.

August 2022 - wordtothewise.com
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks vouches for Laura's trustworthiness in assisting with Spamhaus matters, distinguishing her from others who might try to profit from the situation.

September 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks offers to reach out to Spamhaus on behalf of the user, noting that directly sharing contacts can upset anti-spammers. He suspects the delay might be due to a busy Spamhaus volunteer and suggests emailing him.

December 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource.com shares that the goal of the Spamhaus project is to be comprehensive when it comes to tracking spammers. He also mentions that in his opinion the spam problem has been reduced since it started in the late 1990's.

February 2024 - Spamresource.com

What the documentation says
6Technical articles

Official documentation outlines the process for delisting from Spamhaus. The initial step involves identifying the specific Spamhaus list (SBL, CSS, DBL) you're on and understanding why you were listed. Addressing the underlying issues, such as stopping spamming activity, securing compromised accounts, or removing malicious content, is essential. Afterwards, follow the appropriate delisting procedure, providing evidence of the corrective actions taken. Tools like MultiRBL can help determine if you're listed. SPF records authorize mail servers and can prevent forged sender addresses.

Key findings

  • List Identification: Determine the specific Spamhaus list (SBL, CSS, DBL) you are listed on.
  • Problem Resolution: Address the underlying issues that led to the listing (spamming, compromised accounts, malicious content).
  • Official Procedures: Follow the official delisting procedures for the specific list you are on.
  • Evidence: Provide evidence of corrective actions taken when requesting delisting.
  • Detection Tools: Tools like MultiRBL can help identify listings on various blocklists.
  • SPF Records: SPF records can prevent forged addresses

Key considerations

  • Investigation: Thoroughly investigate the reasons for the Spamhaus listing.
  • System Security: Ensure your systems are secure to prevent further spamming activity or compromise.
  • Documentation: Carefully document all steps taken to address the issues leading to the listing.
  • Compliance: Strictly adhere to the delisting procedures outlined by Spamhaus.
  • Prevention: Implement SPF, DKIM and DMARC to prevent against spoofing
Technical article

Documentation from Spamhaus.org explains that to request removal from the SBL (Spamhaus Block List), you must identify and stop the spamming activity. Ensure your systems are secure, then follow the delisting request process on their website.

January 2022 - Spamhaus.org
Technical article

Documentation from Spamhaus.org specifies that the delisting process involves checking the specific Spamhaus list you're on (SBL, CSS, DBL), understanding the reason for the listing, fixing the underlying issues (e.g., compromised systems, spam content), and then submitting a delisting request through the appropriate channels. Providing evidence of the corrective actions taken is crucial.

August 2024 - Spamhaus.org
Technical article

Documentation from Spamhaus.org details that to be removed from the CSS (Composite Spam Score), you need to investigate the reasons for the listing, which often involves compromised accounts or spamming activity. Address the issues, and then follow their specific delisting procedure for CSS.

September 2024 - Spamhaus.org
Technical article

Documentation from Spamhaus.org explains that if your domain is listed on the DBL (Domain Block List), it means your domain is associated with spam activities. You need to clean up your domain, remove any malicious content, and then request a review for delisting.

November 2023 - Spamhaus.org
Technical article

Documentation from RFC-Editor.org explains that SPF allows domain owners to specify which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of their domain. Receiving mail servers can then verify SPF records to detect forged sender addresses and reduce spam.

February 2025 - RFC-Editor.org
Technical article

Documentation from MultiRBL.valli.org explains that their tool helps you check if your IP address or domain is listed on various blocklists, including Spamhaus. This allows you to quickly identify if you are listed and then take appropriate action.

June 2022 - MultiRBL.valli.org