How do I contact Proofpoint about IP address listing issues and what information should I provide?

Summary

To address IP listing issues with Proofpoint, utilize their support portal or postmaster@proofpoint, explaining your sending infrastructure and the listing nature. Use Proofpoint's IP Reputation Lookup, providing justification for delisting. If they use Spamhaus data, follow their delisting process. Demonstrate commitment to authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), proactively check your IP reputation via MXToolbox, Talos Intelligence, Litmus, Sender Score, and address issues before contacting them. Understand Proofpoint's policies and provide remediation evidence, maintaining a professional tone. Avoid starting with lengthy business model explanations. If using a service like MailChannels, they may assist. Certification with Return Path might improve deliverability; understanding your sender reputation beforehand is vital, checking IPs against known blacklists. Following up after a week is advisable.

Key findings

  • Contact Channels: Use Proofpoint's support portal or postmaster@proofpoint.
  • Detailed Information: Explain sending infrastructure and the listing's nature.
  • Proactive Reputation Check: Check IP reputation via various tools (MXToolbox, Talos, etc.) before contacting.
  • Authentication: Demonstrate commitment to SPF, DKIM, DMARC.
  • Remediation Evidence: Provide clear evidence of remediation efforts.
  • Policy Understanding: Understand and adhere to Proofpoint and Spamhaus delisting policies.
  • Professional Communication: Maintain a professional tone and avoid irrelevant business model descriptions.

Key considerations

  • Spamhaus Data: Determine if Proofpoint relies on Spamhaus data and follow their process if necessary.
  • Third-Party Assistance: Explore assistance from services like MailChannels.
  • Response Time: Be prepared for varying response times and follow up as needed.
  • Certification: Consider Return Path certification for improved deliverability.

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

When contacting Proofpoint about IP listing issues, it's important to provide clear information about your mail flow, demonstrate a commitment to email authentication standards like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and avoid lengthy, self-serving explanations. Response times may vary, so follow-up is recommended. Utilizing tools to check your IP reputation and authentication setup prior to contact can streamline the process. If using a third-party sending service like MailChannels, they may be able to assist in the communication.

Key opinions

  • Provide Mail Flow Details: Explaining your mail flow helps Proofpoint distinguish you from spammers.
  • Authentication Matters: Including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records demonstrates a commitment to email authentication.
  • Avoid Lengthy Explanations: Avoid starting with lengthy explanations of your business model.
  • Response Times Vary: Proofpoint's response times vary; follow-up is recommended.
  • Check Reputation First: Check your IP's reputation and authentication setup before contacting Proofpoint.

Key considerations

  • Use Available Tools: Leverage tools from MXToolbox, Talos Intelligence, Litmus, and Sender Score to assess your IP's reputation and authentication status.
  • Third-Party Assistance: If using a service like MailChannels, explore their potential assistance in contacting Proofpoint.
  • Proactive Approach: Address any identified issues proactively before reaching out.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that Proofpoint does respond and suggests explaining your mail flow when requesting more information to distinguish yourself from spammers.

June 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow shares that including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records in your communication helps demonstrate your commitment to email authentication, which Proofpoint appreciates.

September 2021 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus suggests using their service to check if your emails are properly authenticated before contacting Proofpoint.

January 2023 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Talos Intelligence shares that checking your IP reputation on their site can give you an idea of your standing with security vendors like Proofpoint.

October 2024 - Talos Intelligence
Marketer view

Email marketer from Sender Score suggests using their tool to assess your sender reputation before contacting Proofpoint.

April 2022 - Sender Score
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that Proofpoint's response times can vary but suggests following up after a week if you haven't received a reply.

July 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks forum explains that Proofpoint responds and suggesting that when requesting more information, explain your mail flow etc to help them distinguish you from a spammer.

May 2021 - EmailGeeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks forum warns against starting an email with a lengthy explanation of your business model, as it's often counterproductive.

July 2021 - EmailGeeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from MXToolbox responds that before contacting Proofpoint, check your IP's reputation on various blocklists and address any issues found.

July 2022 - MXToolbox
Marketer view

Email marketer from MailChannels shares that if you are using their outbound filtering service, they can assist in communicating with Proofpoint on your behalf.

September 2023 - MailChannels

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

When contacting Proofpoint about IP listing issues, it's best to use the postmaster@proofpoint address or follow up on form submissions. It's important to understand their policies, provide clear evidence of remediation, and maintain a professional tone. Avoid starting with a business model explanation. Check your sender reputation and address issues proactively, including checking against known blacklists, before reaching out.

Key opinions

  • Contact Method: Use postmaster@proofpoint or follow up on form submissions.
  • Remediation Evidence: Provide clear evidence of remediation efforts.
  • Sender Reputation: Understand your sender reputation and address issues proactively.
  • Professional Tone: Maintain a professional tone in communication.
  • Avoid Business Model Talk: Avoid starting emails with a lengthy explanation of your business model.

Key considerations

  • Blacklist Check: Check IPs against known blacklists before contacting.
  • Policy Understanding: Understand Proofpoint's policies regarding IP listing.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise responds that understanding your sender reputation and addressing issues proactively is crucial before contacting providers like Proofpoint. Checking your IPs against known blacklists is also important.

December 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks warns against starting an email to Proofpoint with "let me tell you about my business model".

November 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource explains that engaging with blocklists like those influencing Proofpoint requires understanding their policies, providing clear evidence of remediation efforts, and maintaining a professional tone.

April 2023 - Spamresource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests using postmaster@proofpoint to contact them and following up on form submissions. They explain Proofpoint bought a DNSBL and that network of traps feeds into their reputation score.

January 2024 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

To contact Proofpoint about IP listing issues, utilize their support portal and IP Reputation Lookup tool, providing detailed justification for delisting. If Proofpoint uses Spamhaus data, follow Spamhaus's delisting process, identifying and resolving the listing cause. Consider Return Path certification to improve deliverability with Proofpoint.

Key findings

  • Support Portal: Contact Proofpoint via their support portal, detailing your infrastructure and listing nature.
  • IP Reputation Tool: Use Proofpoint's IP Reputation Lookup tool for delisting requests, providing detailed justification.
  • Spamhaus Process: If Proofpoint uses Spamhaus data, follow Spamhaus's delisting process, identifying and resolving the listing reason.

Key considerations

  • Detailed Justification: Provide a detailed justification for why the IP should be removed when requesting delisting.
  • Spamhaus Reliance: Determine if Proofpoint relies on Spamhaus data for their listing decisions.
  • Return Path Certification: Consider Return Path certification to potentially improve deliverability.
Technical article

Documentation from Proofpoint Knowledge Base states that you can request delisting through their IP Reputation Lookup tool, but they require detailed justification for why the IP should be removed.

November 2021 - Proofpoint Knowledge Base
Technical article

Documentation from Spamhaus explains that if Proofpoint uses their data, you need to follow Spamhaus's delisting process, which includes identifying the reason for listing and resolving the issue.

February 2024 - Spamhaus
Technical article

Documentation from Return Path explains that being certified by them can improve your email deliverability with providers like Proofpoint.

October 2023 - Return Path
Technical article

Documentation from Proofpoint Support details that contacting them for IP reputation issues is best done through their support portal, providing details about your sending infrastructure and the nature of the listing.

June 2024 - Proofpoint Support