The Suomispam Domain Blocklist (DBL), with the zone name dbl.suomispam.net, is a domain-based blacklist. It is designed to identify domains associated with spammers or used within spam messages. Mail server operators can use this blocklist to check sender domains or domains found in links within an email's body to help filter unwanted messages.
Suomispam's policy defines spam as Unsolicited Bulk Email (UBE). A message is considered spam if it is both unsolicited and sent in bulk, regardless of local laws. The listing criteria are based on careful consideration to be consistent and fair. The blocklist targets several types of entities:
This private reputation blacklist (or blocklist) operates similarly to a restaurant review, providing an opinion on the reputation of internet resources without depending on official court interpretations.
Suomispam runs the Suomispam Domain Blocklist (DBL). It is a reputation service that specifically covers senders of spam written in the Finnish language or otherwise related to Finland. The organization was created to fill a gap left by global blacklists, which may not have comprehensive coverage for smaller countries and linguistic areas.
It's important to note that Suomispam itself does not block any email. It provides data and information about senders it considers to be probable sources of Finnish spam. The operators of individual mail servers then decide whether or not to use that information to filter incoming messages.
To get removed from the Suomispam Domain Blocklist (DBL), you must convince the operators that the original reason for the listing is no longer valid. Suomispam delists entries when they believe the spam problem has been resolved. While old listings are periodically reviewed, the best way to expedite removal is to contact them with credible information.
Before requesting delisting, it is critical to follow their guidelines to avoid wasting time:
Suomispam does not provide email headers as proof of spam, as they must protect their spamtrap addresses. Delisting is a matter of trust. If your claims align with their observations, removal is more likely. If not, they may wait to see if time confirms that the issue is resolved.
The impact of being listed on the Suomispam Domain Blocklist (DBL) is generally considered low for most senders. This blacklist is highly specialized, focusing on spam that is either in the Finnish language or specifically targeting recipients in Finland.
If your target audience is primarily within Finland, a listing could cause significant deliverability issues, as Finnish mail server operators are the most likely to use this blocklist. However, for senders who do not target this region, the impact on global email delivery is likely to be minimal to nonexistent. The ultimate impact depends entirely on which mailbox providers and companies choose to use this specific blacklist for their email filtering.