How to get Proofpoint to unblock my IP address?

Summary

To get Proofpoint to unblock your IP, the process involves a multi-faceted approach. First, it's crucial to understand why you were blocklisted in the first place, identifying the root cause such as spam traps, complaints, or poor sending practices, and rectifying these issues before requesting delisting. Review and improve your sending practices, ensuring compliance with email best practices, including email authentication via SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, which can improve deliverability and avoid blocks. Proper IP warming is essential, involving gradually increasing sending volume and monitoring engagement to establish trust and avoid triggering filters. Engage with Proofpoint directly through their support channels or postmaster email (<mailto:postmaster@proofpoint.com>), providing detailed information about the IP address, the reasons for the block, and the steps taken to resolve the issues. Proactive reputation management, including setting up feedback loops, engaging with postmasters, and monitoring blocklists, is vital. If the issue is specific to Apple, contact their postmaster team directly. Utilizing deliverability testing tools can help identify any deliverability issues. If your IP is listed on Spamhaus, check the specific listing reason, address any security issues, and follow their delisting procedures. Monitoring your sending reputation and volume closely, addressing complaints promptly, and ensuring compliance with Google's sender guidelines are also recommended. Finally, consider trying mailop, as a Proofpoint representative has been known to respond there. The key is to maintain a high sender reputation and demonstrate a commitment to best practices.

Key findings

  • Identify Root Cause: Determine and address the reason for being blocklisted (spam traps, complaints, etc.).
  • Improve Sending Practices: Implement email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and ensure compliance with email best practices.
  • IP Warming: Gradually increase sending volume and monitor engagement to establish trust.
  • Engage Proofpoint Directly: Contact Proofpoint support with details and steps taken for resolution, or use their postmaster email.
  • Proactive Reputation Management: Use feedback loops, engage with postmasters, and monitor blocklists to prevent blocks.
  • Spamhaus Listing: If listed on Spamhaus, identify the reason, fix security issues, and follow their delisting process.
  • Monitor Reputation: Continuously monitor your sending reputation and address any issues promptly.
  • Deliverability Testing: Using deliverability testing tools to identify deliverability issues.

Key considerations

  • Reputation Management: Maintain a high sender reputation to remain unblocked.
  • Email Authentication: Properly configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to improve deliverability.
  • Sending Volume: Avoid sudden spikes in sending volume, especially from new IPs.
  • Compliance: Adhere to Google's sender guidelines for bulk email senders.
  • Feedback Loops: Utilize feedback loops to identify and resolve deliverability issues quickly.
  • Contacting Apple: Contact Apple's postmaster if issues are specific to Apple addresses.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

To get Proofpoint to unblock your IP address, several steps are recommended. First, understand why you were blocked by checking your IP reputation and identifying potential issues like spam traps or complaints. Improve your sending practices, including implementing email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), warming up your IP address gradually, and monitoring your sending reputation and volume. Engage with Proofpoint's support channels or postmaster email, providing details about the IP, the reasons for the block, and the steps you've taken to resolve the issues. Proactive reputation management, including setting up feedback loops, engaging with postmasters, and monitoring blocklists, is crucial. If the issue is specific to Apple, contact their postmaster team directly. Also, consider using tools to perform deliverability tests and ensure compliance with email best practices to avoid being blocked in the future.

Key opinions

  • Identify Block Reason: Determine why Proofpoint blocked your IP (spam traps, complaints, etc.).
  • Improve Sending Practices: Implement email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and warm up your IP gradually.
  • Engage with Proofpoint: Contact Proofpoint support with details and steps taken for resolution.
  • Proactive Reputation Management: Use feedback loops, engage with postmasters, and monitor blocklists.
  • Apple Specific Issues: Contact Apple's postmaster team directly if the issue is isolated to Apple.
  • Deliverability Testing: Using deliverability testing tools to identify any deliverability issues

Key considerations

  • IP Reputation: Continuously monitor your IP reputation and address any negative listings promptly.
  • Email Authentication: Properly configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to improve deliverability and avoid blocks.
  • Feedback Loops: Set up and monitor feedback loops to identify and resolve deliverability issues quickly.
  • Sending Volume: Avoid sudden spikes in sending volume, especially from a new IP address.
  • Contacting Proofpoint: Be prepared to provide detailed information about your sending practices and remediation steps when contacting Proofpoint.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailhardener explains that email authentication via SPF, DKIM and DMARC can improve deliverability and avoid blocks. Mailhardener helps you set up and validate these.

August 2022 - Mailhardener
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailDudes Forum shares to check your IP reputation using online tools and address any negative listings. Improve sending practices, authenticate your email, and request delisting from any blacklists.

February 2023 - EmailDudes Forum
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests trying mailop, mentioning there was a Proofpoint representative responding there as of April 2022.

June 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid shares information on the process of warming IP addresses and slowly increasing the volume of emails sent from it over time. This is key to establishing trust.

July 2024 - SendGrid
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks reports that the IP was on Proofpoint's blocklist (PDR) but has been delisted due to a lack of samples to check. He suggests monitoring deliverability to Apple and contacting them directly if issues persist.

May 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps explains that doing deliverability tests to different email providers including Proofpoint is key to understanding any deliverability issues

December 2024 - GlockApps
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that the key to getting unblocked and remaining unblocked is to maintain a high sender reputation.

September 2021 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow explains that Proofpoint's delisting process involves submitting a request through their support channels or postmaster email. Provide details about the IP address, reasons for the block, and steps taken to resolve the issues causing the block.

April 2023 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests contacting Apple's postmaster team directly (<https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204137>) if the issue specifically relates to Apple. He also mentions he can check the IP and see where it may have landed if provided.

June 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit suggests monitoring your sending reputation and volume closely, addressing any complaints promptly, and using feedback loops to identify and resolve deliverability issues.

June 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Institute shares that proactive reputation management including setting up feedback loops, engaging with postmasters, and monitoring blocklists can prevent Proofpoint blocking IPs.

May 2023 - Email Marketing Institute

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

To get Proofpoint to unblock your IP address, start by understanding the reason for the blocklist. This involves identifying issues such as spam traps, complaints, or poor sending practices, and rectifying these problems before requesting delisting. It's crucial to properly warm up your IP address by gradually increasing sending volume and monitoring engagement. For Spamhaus listings, check the specific reason, address any security vulnerabilities, and follow their delisting procedures, which might necessitate proving that you've taken measures to prevent future abuse. Additionally, contacting Proofpoint directly via their postmaster email (<mailto:postmaster@proofpoint.com>) can be a responsive avenue.

Key opinions

  • Understand the Block Reason: Identify and address the root cause of the blocklisting (spam traps, complaints, etc.) before requesting delisting.
  • Proper IP Warming: Gradually increase sending volume and monitor engagement to warm up your IP address.
  • Address Spamhaus Listings: Check the specific listing reason, address security issues, and follow Spamhaus's delisting procedures.
  • Contact Proofpoint Postmaster: Reach out to Proofpoint directly via <mailto:postmaster@proofpoint.com>.

Key considerations

  • Root Cause Analysis: Focus on identifying and fixing the underlying issues that led to the blocklisting.
  • Gradual Volume Increase: Avoid sudden spikes in sending volume, especially from a new IP address.
  • Security Vulnerabilities: Ensure any security vulnerabilities are addressed to prevent future abuse.
  • Compliance with Procedures: Follow the specific delisting procedures for Spamhaus and Proofpoint.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains to properly warm up the IP address by gradually increasing sending volume and monitoring engagement. A sudden spike in volume from a new IP can trigger filters.

November 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that <mailto:postmaster@proofpoint.com|postmaster@proofpoint.com> is usually quite responsive.

November 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource shares information on what to do if your IP is listed on Spamhaus. This includes checking the specific listing reason, addressing any security issues, and following Spamhaus's delisting procedures, which may involve proving you've taken steps to prevent future abuse.

August 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that understanding why you were blocklisted in the first place (due to spam traps, complaints, bad sending practices etc.) is critical. You need to fix the root cause *before* requesting delisting, otherwise you will likely be re-blocked.

August 2021 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

To get Proofpoint to unblock your IP address, these documentation sources suggest: Review and improve your sending practices, adhering to email best practices to prevent blocks. Ensure your email is authenticated and complaint rates are low. Identify the specific Spamhaus list you're on and follow their removal instructions, potentially fixing security issues and showing improved sending. Refer to Microsoft's tips for troubleshooting mail flow issues and ensuring message delivery.

Key findings

  • Review Sending Practices: Ensure compliance with email best practices to avoid being blocked.
  • Spamhaus Removal Process: Identify the specific Spamhaus list and follow their removal instructions, which may involve fixing security issues.
  • Authenticate Email: Implement email authentication to keep complaint rates low.
  • Troubleshoot Mail Flow: Use Microsoft's tips to address any mail flow issues.

Key considerations

  • Sending Compliance: Adhere to email best practices for formatting, content, and frequency.
  • Security Fixes: Address any security vulnerabilities to prevent future abuse and maintain a good reputation.
  • Complaint Rates: Keep complaint rates low by sending relevant and engaging content to opted-in recipients.
  • Proactive Monitoring: Monitor your sending reputation and address any issues promptly.
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft shares tips to help ensure that their messages get to where they're supposed to go and gives tips to troubleshoot mail flow issues.

June 2023 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from Google details their sender guidelines for bulk email senders. It advises authenticating email, keeping complaint rates low, and following best practices for email formatting and content.

May 2023 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from Proofpoint Knowledge Base details the different block messages and remediation steps. It suggests reviewing your sending practices and ensuring compliance with email best practices to avoid being blocked.

January 2025 - Proofpoint Knowledge Base
Technical article

Documentation from Spamhaus details their blocklist policies and removal process. It mentions identifying the specific Spamhaus list your IP is on and following their removal instructions, which may involve fixing security issues or demonstrating improved sending practices.

September 2021 - Spamhaus