Email Blacklists is one of many tools that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and email providers use to efficiently handle the processing and filtering of incoming email. When an email sender breaks too many of the rules that govern being blacklisted they simply move that sender to their blacklist and when the next email from their IP block or domain (depending on how they've blocked the sender) gets automatically rejected.

Email spam filters can subscribe to the many different blacklists to help them determine how they should treat incoming emails. Below you will see an image of an antispam administraton screen of a popular email client.

Smartermail Antispam Administration Screen

Are All Blacklists Public?

No, many of the larger ISP's have their own internal blacklists they use in conjuction with public blacklists. There is no 100% complete blacklist monitoring tool out there for this reason. The best thing you can do subscribe to our Free Blacklist Monitoring Service. This way you will be notified, if your domain names or IP addresses shows up on a public blacklist.

The second best thing you can do is process all email bounces, they usually have indicators of which private blacklists you might be on.

You can always use our Blacklist Tool to check your Domain Names or IP addresses (Remember to check both) located here: Unlock The Inbox Blacklist Checker

How Do I Avoid Being Blacklisted?

That's a very good question, and no one knows all the answers, each blacklist can have different requirements that will get you listed. But, there are things you can do to help avoid being blacklisted. Here are a few to get you started.

• Follow The: Can Spam ACT
• Configure your PTR records
• Setup Email Authentication (SPF Records, Domainkeys, DKIM, Sender ID)
• Protect Your Server (Secure your Relay)
• Sign up for Email Feedback Loops
• Run any automated or bulk emails you send out through Spam Testing Tools

I didn't do anything wrong, why am I on a blacklist?

You'll be surprised of the many different reasons, that will cause this to happen. One of the more common ones, is that the IP address that you were assigned was recycled and the previous owner of that IP address abused email. Other times, hackers can take advantage of you, if you have an open relay, by sending unsolicted email through your server without your knowledge. You didn't follow the Can Spam ACT and provide a mechanism for people to opt out of your emails. Too many people marked your emails as spam, you didn't sign up for email feedback loops, so you didn't know what receipents to remove from your email list. There are many different reasons, by following the steps outlined above and you will greatly reduce the chances of being added to a blacklist.

If I'm Blacklisted How Do I Get Off?

Most of the time, you will need to contact the owner of the blacklist and request removal, this process can take a while. Most blacklists have a website detailing the removal process. Be patient and polite and always follow up and provide all the information they ask for.