Ask a Deliverability Expert: How Do I Get Off a Spamhaus Blocklist?

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In today’s digital age, the internet has become an integral part of our lives. However, with the convenience of the internet, there also comes a downside: Spam. 

Spam emails, texts, and calls are not only a nuisance, but they can also be a security threat to individuals and organizations alike. This is where an organization like Spamhaus comes in. Spamhaus is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1998, and they’ve become one of the most influential players in the fight against spam. Their core mission is to identify, track, and block spam emails and unwanted communications. The organization uses a combination of advanced technology and human expertise to gather and analyze vast amounts of data on spam and its sources.

All of this is a good thing for consumers — whether the general public knows it or not, there’s an organization like Spamhaus that’s looking out for them and trying to keep their inboxes free of spam.

And for most email senders, it’s also a good thing. Their newsletters and emails won’t get lost amongst a sea of spam.

But Spamhaus isn’t perfect. Sometimes, legitimate senders of email get blocked by Spamhaus, and when they do, it can cause serious issues for their email program. Many inbox providers use Spamhaus’ blocklists to help determine what should be let into the inbox and what should be blocked — so landing on a blocklist might mean that your emails never reach your audience.

So let’s talk about what an organization like Spamhaus does, why someone might end up on a blocklist, and how to get off of one.

Why did I end up on a blocklist?

One of the primary tools used by Spamhaus to fight spam is their extensive network of blocklists. These blocklists contain the IP addresses of known spammers and other sources of spam, which are constantly updated in real-time by Spamhaus’ team of experts. When a message originates from an IP address on one of these blocklists, it is blocked by the receiving server, preventing it from reaching its intended recipient.

Spamhaus’ blocklists are widely used by email providers, network operators, and other organizations around the world to protect their users from unwanted and potentially harmful communications. In fact, many large email providers and ISPs use Spamhaus’ blocklists as a key part of their spam filtering systems, making it a crucial component in the fight against spam. Per Spamhaus’ own data, they protect more than 3 billion inboxes across the world.

Spamhaus’ blocklists are updated frequently, and contain a vast number of IP addresses and domains. However, it’s important to note that not all messages originating from a blocklisted IP address are necessarily spam. There are cases where legitimate senders may inadvertently end up on a blocklist due to a misconfigured server, forms of abuse, or simply not following best practices. In such cases, the legitimate sender can work with Spamhaus to resolve the issue and get their IP address removed from the blocklist after resolving any issues.

Here are four common Spamhaus blocklists:

1. Spamhaus Block List (SBL) — This is the most widely used Spamhaus blocklist, containing the IP addresses of known spammers and other sources of spam. SBL listings are based on a combination of automated and manual analysis of spam data. If your IP address is listed on the SBL, it means that Spamhaus has identified it as a source of spam. To get delisted from the SBL, you will need to take steps to stop the spamming behavior, clean your lists or remove any contacts with no consent, and then follow the delisting process (which we’ll outline in a moment).
2. Exploits Block List (XBL) — This blocklist is used to identify IP addresses that have been compromised by malware or other security exploits, and are being used to send spam or other malicious messages. If your IP address is listed on the XBL, it may indicate that your system has been hacked or compromised in some way. To get delisted from the XBL, you will need to investigate and address any security issues on your system and then follow the delisting process
3. Policy Block List (PBL) — This blocklist is used to identify IP addresses that are not supposed to be sending email directly to the internet, but are instead expected to use an authorized email service provider (ESP) or relay. If your IP address is listed on the PBL, it may indicate that your email sending practices are not compliant with best practices or that your system is configured improperly. To get delisted from the PBL, you will need to work with your ESP or network administrator to resolve any issues and then follow the delisting process.
4. Composite Blocking List (CBL) — This blocklist is used to identify IP addresses that are infected with bots or other types of malware, and that are currently being used to send spam or other malicious messages. If your IP address is listed on the CBL, it may indicate that your system has been infected with malware or that it is being used as a botnet. To get delisted from the CBL, you will need to clean your system of any infections and then follow the delisting process.

Not sure if you’ve ended up on a Spamhaus blocklist? They’ve created a helpful tool, check.spamhaus.org, to check to see if your IP or domain is on one.

Why did I end up on a blocklist?

As I wrote about in a previous Ask a Deliverability Expert column, there are a few reasons you might have ended up on a blocklist:

• You didn’t obtain explicit consent from recipients before sending them emails.
• You didn’t include a clear and easy way for recipients to unsubscribe.
• You’re acting like a spammer — sending emails with deceptive subject lines or weird attachments.
• You’re failing to obey local privacy laws.
• You’re not cleaning your email list.
• You’re sending emails to spam traps.
• You’re not sending relevant content to recipients.
• You’re using a fake or outdated “from address.”
• You’re not using a reputable email service provider (ESP).
• You’re failing to authenticate your emails.
• You’re suddenly adjusting your sending cadence.

But finding out exactly what’s landed you on a blocklist isn’t always straightforward. You’ll get a document from them that looks like this — it will include some details, but not everything.

Before you can get off the blocklist, you may need to investigate and resolve security issues on your system, work with your email service provider or network administrator to ensure compliance with best practices, or take steps to remove malware infections from your system.

I’m listed on a blocklist. Now what?

Getting listed on Spamhaus can be scary and annoying for senders, similar to how credit card companies may freeze an account when they suspect unusual activity. While it can be frustrating to be listed on Spamhaus, it’s important to remember that their goal is to reduce spam and protect individuals and businesses from online threats. This isn’t anything personal — to get listed on Spamhaus, a sender must have exceeded normal thresholds of bad behavior.

In my opinion, Spamhaus is not extremely strict when it comes to punishing senders. They’re not going to punish small mistakes or errors — they’re looking for senders who explicitly break the rules. They expect senders to follow best practices and respect the privacy and security of individuals and businesses. They’re not asking for anything unreasonable.

If you’re listed on Spamhaus, it is important not to get upset and submit an angry message to their ticketing system. (Your ticket will be read and answered by a real human at Spamhaus, so it’s in your interest to engage politely with them.) Take the time to read the documentation they provide with your listing so that you can understand what needs to be fixed. 

Once you have identified the issue, work with your email platform to fix the issue, and then send a message to Spamhaus explaining what happened and how you resolved the issue. If necessary, you can also ask them for help or advice to fix underlying issues. For example, you could send a message like this:

Dear Spamhaus Team,

I have been informed that my IP address has been listed on your blocklist. After reviewing the documentation provided, I have identified the issue and taken steps A, B, and C to resolve it. I apologize for any inconvenience caused and would appreciate your help in verifying that the issue has been resolved. Thank you for your efforts to reduce spam and protect the online community.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

How long does it take Spamhaus to reply to your request?

Spamhaus retains the discretion to respond (or not) to your ticket. Generally, I’ve found that they reply within 24-72 hours under normal circumstances. Their response may include requesting additional changes from you before delisting, providing supplementary information to aid in the resolution of your issue, or confirming that they have verified and are prepared to delist you. Occasionally, they may proceed with delisting without providing a response.

How long will it take to get off their blocklist?

Delisting occurs as soon as they inform you that they’ve approved your request, but it may take several hours for the changes to propagate.

But getting your request approved often takes a few days, depending how long they need to review the required information on their end. When seeking delisting from Spamhaus, make sure that all the required modifications have been made before you make your request — otherwise, there may be additional delays as part of the delisting process.

When will deliverability return to normal?

The restoration of deliverability to normal levels after getting delisted from Spamhaus can vary depending on several factors. Once your domain has been successfully delisted, it may take some time for the changes to propagate across different mail servers and networks. Typically, deliverability should gradually improve within a few hours or days, as the updated information reaches all relevant systems. 

However, it’s important to note that deliverability ultimately depends on various factors, including the reputation of your domain and email practices. Continuous adherence to best practices and maintaining a good email reputation can further enhance deliverability over time. Spamhaus isn’t the only reason your deliverability may be impacted — getting off the blocklist is a positive step, but it’s not the only one you need to take.

Is there anything else you should be checking for?

Spamhaus is not the only organization monitoring sending practices, there are other blocklists that do similar work. Being listed on Spamhaus or any other blocklist can have a significant impact on a sender’s reputation and deliverability. It’s essential to follow best practices, such as sending to a clean, engaged list and obtaining consent from your customers. By doing so, you’ll not only stay off of Spamhaus’ radar but also increase your chances of landing in the inbox and achieving your email marketing goals.

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The stories you’re reading on inboxcollective.com are made possible thanks to the generous support of our fall sponsor, Who Sponsors Stuff, which gives you and your team the tools to quickly find and reach out to relevant sponsors for your newsletter. They track 350+ newsletters, have direct contact information for 6,000+ sponsors, and keep you on the cutting edge of who’s spending money in the email advertising space. Find out how their Sales Pro product can supercharge your ad sales operation today.