Why is my domain listed in Razor2 and how do I remove it?

Summary

Razor2 is a collaborative and distributed spam detection network utilized by SpamAssassin. It identifies spam by comparing message checksums to a database of known spam signatures. A domain is listed when its email content resembles known spam. Direct delisting is not possible; the listing expires automatically once the content no longer matches spam signatures. Being listed in Razor2 can negatively impact email deliverability. Prevention involves focusing on email content, maintaining sender reputation, implementing proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and proactively testing email content for spam triggers.

Key findings

  • Content-Based Listing: Razor2 lists domains whose email content resembles known spam.
  • No Direct Delisting: There is no direct delisting process available for Razor2.
  • Collaborative and Distributed: Razor2 is a collaborative and distributed network; decisions are based on collective reporting.
  • Automatic Expiration: Listings expire automatically when the problematic content is no longer detected.
  • Impact on Deliverability: Razor2 listing negatively impacts email deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Improve Email Content: Review and modify email templates and messaging to avoid spam-like characteristics and reduce similarity to known spam.
  • Focus on Sender Reputation: Implement best practices to maintain a positive sender reputation.
  • Implement Authentication: Use SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate email and improve deliverability.
  • Proactive Content Testing: Test email content using tools like Mail-Tester before sending to identify and address potential spam triggers.
  • Monitor DMARC Reports: Check DMARC reports to identify where your domain is being used and address any unauthorized sending.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

Razor2 is a collaborative spam detection network that identifies spam based on message content. A domain gets listed in Razor2 when its email content resembles known spam. Direct delisting is not possible; the listing expires automatically when the content is no longer identified as spam. Being listed can negatively impact deliverability. Prevention involves monitoring and modifying email content, avoiding spam-like characteristics, using dedicated IPs, proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and testing content before sending.

Key opinions

  • Content Matching: Razor2 uses fuzzy checksums to compare email content to a database of known spam signatures. If a match is found, the email may be flagged.
  • No Direct Delisting: There is no direct delisting process from Razor2. The listing expires automatically if the content is no longer flagged as spam.
  • Impact on Deliverability: Being listed in Razor2 can negatively impact email deliverability by increasing the chances of emails being marked as spam.
  • Proactive Prevention: Proactive measures such as using dedicated IPs, proper authentication, and avoiding spam trigger words can help prevent Razor2 listings.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Email Content: Regularly audit email templates and content strategies to identify and eliminate elements that may trigger spam filters.
  • Review and Modify: Review and modify email templates and messaging to avoid spam-like characteristics.
  • Use Proper Authentication: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication to improve sender reputation and reduce the likelihood of being flagged as spam.
  • Test Email Content: Use tools like Mail-Tester to test email content before sending to a large audience, identifying potential spam triggers.
Marketer view

Email marketer from SpamFightingForum.com answers that your email content is likely the reason for the listing. Review and modify your templates and messaging to avoid spam-like characteristics.

November 2024 - SpamFightingForum.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailProvider.com explains being listed in Razor2 can negatively impact email deliverability by increasing the likelihood of emails being marked as spam. Suggests focusing on improving email content and sender reputation.

September 2023 - EmailProvider.com
Marketer view

Marketers from Email Geeks suggest to check DMARC reports to see where the domain is being used and that the domain has a poor reputation within Proofpoint correlating with recent sending activity.

May 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailMarketingGuide.net advises proactive measures to avoid spam listings, including Razor2. This involves using dedicated IPs, proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and avoiding spam trigger words.

July 2021 - EmailMarketingGuide.net
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailMarketingForum.org suggests testing your email content using tools like Mail-Tester before sending to a large audience. This can help identify potential spam triggers and avoid Razor2 listings.

October 2023 - EmailMarketingForum.org
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange responds that direct delisting from Razor2 is not possible. The listing expires automatically as the content is no longer seen as spam by the network.

August 2022 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that Razor2 sometimes produces false positives, especially with boilerplate content. Suggests whitelisting can help, but only as a last resort.

July 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailDeliverabilityBlog.com shares that it's crucial to monitor your email content for elements that might trigger spam filters, including Razor2. Regularly audit your templates and content strategy.

January 2024 - EmailDeliverabilityBlog.com
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that it is practically impossible to get delisted from Razor2 because it is distributed. The solution is to stop using the content and practices that cause the domain to be considered a spammer.

March 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains Razor2 does content matching and if a domain sends content similar to known spam, it may get listed. Suggests it likely means the domain has been sending recently.

December 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks clarifies Razor2 is not an RBL but a fuzzy checksum filter that checks the message body. If a message triggers Razor2 hits, the email's body looks like previously flagged spam.

May 2023 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

Razor2, used by SpamAssassin, is a collaborative network identifying spam through message checksums. A domain's listing indicates its content resembles known spam. Direct delisting is impossible; listings expire when content no longer resembles spam. Prevention focuses on email content and sender reputation.

Key opinions

  • Collaborative Spam Detection: Razor2 is a collaborative, distributed spam detection network.
  • Content Resemblance: Being listed in Razor2 means your email content resembles known spam.
  • No Direct Delisting: Direct delisting from Razor2 is not possible.
  • Listing Expiration: Listings expire automatically when content no longer resembles spam.

Key considerations

  • Focus on Email Content: Ensure your email content is not similar to known spam.
  • Maintain Sender Reputation: Implement best practices to maintain a good sender reputation.
Expert view

Expert from WordtotheWise.com shares that avoiding Razor2 listings involves focusing on email content. Ensure your messages are not similar to known spam, and implement best practices to maintain a good sender reputation.

October 2021 - WordtotheWise.com
Expert view

Expert from SpamResource.com responds that direct delisting isn't possible. Razor2 relies on collective reporting. If your content stops resembling spam, the listing will eventually expire.

December 2024 - SpamResource.com
Expert view

Expert from SpamResource.com explains Razor2 is a collaborative, distributed spam detection network used by SpamAssassin. It identifies spam based on message checksums. Being listed means your email content resembles known spam.

March 2024 - SpamResource.com

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

Razor2 is a distributed and collaborative spam detection network. It works by clients reporting detected spam, which is compiled into a catalog used to filter spam. It uses checksums of email bodies, comparing them against a database of known spam signatures to flag potential spam. Razor2 can be enabled as a plugin within SpamAssassin to enhance spam detection rates.

Key findings

  • Collaborative Network: Razor2 is a distributed, collaborative spam detection and filtering network.
  • Checksum-Based Detection: Razor2 creates checksums of email bodies and compares them to a database of known spam signatures.
  • SpamAssassin Integration: Razor2 can be enabled within SpamAssassin to improve spam detection rates.

Key considerations

  • Configuration: Razor2 requires configuration as a plugin to SpamAssassin.
  • Content Analysis: Understanding that Razor2 uses checksums of email bodies is crucial for avoiding false positives.
Technical article

Documentation from Razor.sourceforge.net explains that Razor2 is a distributed, collaborative, spam detection and filtering network. Clients report detected spam, and the reports are combined into a Razor2 catalog. This catalog is then distributed to clients, who use it to filter spam.

January 2025 - Razor.sourceforge.net
Technical article

Documentation from cPanel.net explains that Razor2 can be enabled within SpamAssassin to improve spam detection rates. It's a plugin that needs to be configured.

December 2024 - cPanel.net
Technical article

Documentation from Wiki.apache.org explains that Razor2 works by creating checksums of email bodies and comparing them to a database of known spam signatures. If a match is found, the email is flagged as spam.

August 2023 - Wiki.apache.org