How important are SPAMCOP and SORBS blacklists for email deliverability?

Summary

The collective responses highlight that while being listed on any blacklist is generally undesirable, the impact of SPAMCOP and SORBS differs significantly. SPAMCOP is consistently recognized as a high-tier blacklist with a measurable impact on deliverability, leading to emails being marked as spam or blocked. SORBS, while still a blacklist, is often considered less impactful, with some sources even noting that its lists are no longer updated, diminishing its relevance. A key theme throughout is the importance of consistently monitoring domain and IP reputation across various blacklists and proactively addressing any listings to maintain good deliverability. The effectiveness of any particular blacklist depends on the recipient domain, and monitoring various ones is important. Practices of co-marketing partners and the use of shared IPs also affect the sender's reputation.

Key findings

  • SPAMCOP's High Impact: SPAMCOP is a high-tier blacklist with measurable deliverability consequences.
  • SORBS' Limited Impact: SORBS has a minimal impact, and some lists are outdated, although delisting may still be advised.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Consistent monitoring of IP and domain reputation is crucial across multiple blacklists.
  • Varying Blacklist Effectiveness: Blacklist effectiveness varies depending on the recipient domain's reliance on specific lists.
  • Co-marketing Risks: Poor practices by co-marketing partners can negatively affect your brand's reputation.
  • Shared IP Risks: Shared IPs are frequently listed and delisted, requiring close monitoring.

Key considerations

  • Deliverability Impact Tracking: Track deliverability metrics before and after a blacklist listing to accurately assess the impact.
  • Prioritize Important Blacklists: Focus on addressing listings on major blacklists like Spamhaus and SPAMCOP.
  • Proactive Monitoring: Implement proactive measures to monitor and manage sender reputation to prevent blacklist listings.
  • Swift Action on Listings: If listed, promptly investigate and take corrective action to request delisting.
  • Partner Vetting: Vetting co-marketing partners for responsible email practices is crucial for safeguarding your reputation.
  • Monitor Shared IPs: Pay close attention to the reputation of shared IPs and the policies of your ESP regarding 'bad' IPs.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

The importance of SPAMCOP and SORBS blacklists for email deliverability is a nuanced topic. While being listed on any blacklist is generally detrimental, the severity of the impact varies. SPAMCOP is consistently identified as a high-tier blacklist that can significantly affect deliverability, leading to emails being marked as spam or blocked. SORBS, on the other hand, is often considered to have a more minimal impact, with some experts even questioning its overall effectiveness. However, it's still recommended to address SORBS listings. Monitoring your domain and IP reputation across multiple blacklists is crucial, and promptly addressing any listings is essential for maintaining good deliverability. Co-marketing activities can also impact your brand's reputation if partners engage in spam practices.

Key opinions

  • SPAMCOP Impact: SPAMCOP is a high-tier blacklist that can significantly impact email deliverability.
  • SORBS Impact: SORBS's impact is generally considered minimal, but addressing listings is still recommended.
  • Monitoring is Key: Consistently monitoring domain and IP reputation across multiple blacklists is essential.
  • Co-marketing Risks: Co-marketing partners' spam practices can negatively affect your brand's reputation.
  • Shared IP Risks: Shared IPs are frequently listed and delisted and require close monitoring

Key considerations

  • Deliverability Monitoring: Track underperformance after being listed on a blacklist to gauge the actual impact on your deliverability.
  • Blacklist Importance: Prioritize addressing listings on major blacklists like Spamhaus and SPAMCOP over less influential ones like SORBS.
  • Proactive Measures: Actively monitor and manage your sender reputation to prevent being listed on blacklists in the first place.
  • Listing Response: If listed on a blacklist, promptly investigate the cause and take corrective action to request delisting.
  • Partner Reputation: Ensure co-marketing partners adhere to best practices to avoid damaging your sender reputation.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Marketing Forum shares that consistently monitoring your domain and IP reputation is essential to avoid blacklists and maintain good deliverability. If you get listed, act quickly to resolve the issue.

November 2024 - Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that SPAMCOP is a high-tier blacklist with measurable deliverability impact. SORBs has minimal impact and questionable practices, but delisting is still advised. SORBs delisting allows access to redacted headers for easier sender tracking.

December 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains shared IPs are frequently listed and delisted. It's important to monitor how long the listing lasts and if the ESP moves clients off bad IPs.

June 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user u/email_help shares that some blacklists are more important than others, with Spamhaus and Spamcop being more influential than SORBS. Being listed on the major lists can significantly impact whether your emails reach the inbox.

June 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps Blog explains that blacklists vary in their impact, with some, like Spamhaus, having a greater influence than others. SORBS is also listed as a blacklist, meaning being listed on this will affect deliverability.

August 2022 - GlockApps Blog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that it's worthwhile tracking underperformance after being listed and if no changes in deliverability are observed then SORBS is probably not a huge issue. Also that it's a waste of time chasing down SORBS since the impact is minimal.

November 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange answers question about spam lists explains that a listing on a major blacklist can cause email to be bounced or marked as spam by many ISPs. The severity depends on the blacklist's reputation and how widely it is used.

December 2021 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that SPAMCOP and SORBS are used enough to warrant concern if listed, advising against ignoring a listing.

December 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Sender Blog shares that blacklists are a critical factor affecting email deliverability. Being listed on a prominent blacklist can lead to a significant drop in email deliverability rates, as many email service providers (ESPs) and corporate email servers use these lists to filter spam.

November 2024 - Sender Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet Blog explains that being listed on blacklists like Spamhaus, Spamcop, and SORBS can significantly harm email deliverability, leading to emails being marked as spam or blocked entirely.

October 2023 - Mailjet Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Neil Patel Blog shares that if emails are going to spam, check if you are on any blacklists. This will massively affect deliverability.

December 2022 - Neil Patel Blog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains if co-marketing partners send spam including your domain or links, their poor reputation will affect your brand.

April 2022 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

The importance of SPAMCOP and SORBS blacklists for email deliverability is underscored by the necessity to monitor sender reputation. Blacklist effectiveness varies based on the recipient domain; some domains heavily rely on specific blacklists, while others disregard them. Monitoring blacklists like SPAMCOP is important, and proactively identifying and addressing issues is crucial, as being listed on widely used blacklists significantly impacts email deliverability.

Key opinions

  • Varying Effectiveness: Blacklist effectiveness depends on the recipient domain's reliance on specific blacklists.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Regular monitoring of IP and domain reputation is crucial for maintaining deliverability.
  • Proactive Issue Resolution: Proactively identifying and addressing blacklist issues is vital.

Key considerations

  • Diverse Monitoring: Monitor sender reputation across multiple blacklists due to varying effectiveness among recipient domains.
  • Regular Checks: Implement regular checks of IP and domain reputation to identify potential issues early.
  • Swift Action: Take swift action to address any blacklist listings to mitigate the impact on email deliverability.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that blacklist effectiveness varies widely depending on the recipient domain. Some domains rely heavily on certain blacklists, while others may disregard them entirely, making it essential to monitor your sender reputation across multiple blacklists.

April 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource explains that monitoring blacklists like Spamcop and others, is important as a listing on a widely used blacklist can significantly impact email deliverability. It is important to monitor your IP and domain reputation regularly to proactively identify and address any issues.

July 2024 - Spamresource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

According to documentation from various blacklist providers, Spamhaus and Spamcop are important blacklists, and being listed on either can negatively affect email deliverability. SORBS is a DNSBL provider, but its lists are no longer updated. MultiRBL emphasizes the importance of regularly checking and monitoring blacklists, as being listed generally affects deliverability.

Key findings

  • Spamhaus Importance: Spamhaus is a widely used and important blacklist.
  • Spamcop's Impact: Spamcop's BL is used by many mail servers to block spam, affecting deliverability.
  • SORBS Status: SORBS lists are no longer updated.
  • General Blacklist Effect: Being listed on blacklists affects deliverability, necessitating regular monitoring.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Spamhaus: Pay close attention to Spamhaus listings due to its widespread usage.
  • Monitor Spamcop: Regularly check Spamcop listings and take swift action if listed.
  • SORBS Relevance: Consider SORBS less critical due to lack of updates.
  • Regular Blacklist Checks: Implement regular checks and monitoring of various blacklists to maintain deliverability.
Technical article

Documentation from Spamcop explains that Spamcop's BL is used by many mail servers to block spam. Therefore, being listed will reduce deliverability.

October 2023 - Spamcop
Technical article

Documentation from Spamhaus explains that Spamhaus is a very important and used blacklist and any listing can seriously affect deliverability.

October 2024 - Spamhaus
Technical article

Documentation from MultiRBL explains that blacklists exist and recommends that you check them and monitor them regularly. Also explains that a listing affects deliverability.

February 2024 - MultiRBL
Technical article

Documentation from SORBS explains that SORBS is a DNSBL provider, but the lists are not updated anymore.

March 2022 - SORBS