Summary
To get help with a Spamhaus CSS delisting, start by checking your IP reputation using tools like MultiRBL or MXToolbox to confirm your listing. Then, identify the specific reason for the listing (CSS, SBL, etc.) and the cause (spam complaints, compromised accounts, policy violations). Investigate your email sending infrastructure logs for unusual activity and review email headers for clues. Remediate the cause by securing compromised accounts, closing open relays, and checking outbound mail queues for spam. Implement email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and ensure compliance with Spamhaus requirements. Maintain a healthy sender reputation by implementing double opt-in, segmenting email lists, cleaning inactive subscribers, setting up feedback loops with ISPs, and carefully crafting email content to avoid spam triggers. Be honest and transparent when requesting delisting, detailing the steps taken to resolve the issue. If initial requests are unsuccessful, consider resubmitting or updating tickets. If listed on Spamhaus ZEN, check each individual list (CSS, PBL, SBL) and follow its respective delisting process.
Key findings
- Confirm Listing: Use tools like MXToolbox to verify your IP address or domain is listed on Spamhaus CSS.
- Identify Listing Type: Determine the specific Spamhaus list your IP is on (CSS, SBL, ZEN).
- Identify Cause: Pinpoint the root cause of the listing, such as spam complaints or compromised accounts.
- Implement Authentication: Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to authenticate your emails.
- Follow Delisting Process: Follow Spamhaus's specific delisting procedure through the Blocklist Removal Center.
- Transparency is Key: Honesty and transparency in your delisting request will increase the chance of success
Key considerations
- Remediation: Take steps to remediate the issues that caused the listing, such as securing compromised accounts.
- Proactive Prevention: Implement proactive measures like double opt-in and list segmentation to prevent future listings.
- Monitor Reputation: Regularly monitor your IP and domain reputation to catch and address issues early.
- Address ISP Feedback: Set up feedback loops with ISPs to promptly address spam complaints.
- Content Optimization: Craft email content carefully to avoid spam trigger words and provide value to recipients.
- Ticket Follow-up: If initial delisting requests are unsuccessful, resubmit or update the ticket with additional information.
What email marketers say
11 marketer opinions
Getting help with a Spamhaus CSS delisting involves several steps, starting with checking your IP reputation and identifying the cause of the listing (spam complaints, compromised accounts, etc.). Before requesting delisting, ensure you've remediated the issue, implemented email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and reviewed email headers for clues. Monitor your IP and domain reputation regularly, investigate email sending infrastructure logs for unusual activity, and implement best practices like double opt-in, list segmentation, feedback loops, and careful content crafting to prevent future listings. Also, consider resubmitting delisting requests or updating tickets if initial attempts are unsuccessful.
Key opinions
- Check Reputation: Use tools like MultiRBL or MXToolbox to check if your IP is listed on the CSS.
- Identify Cause: Determine the reason for the listing, such as spam complaints or compromised accounts.
- Implement Authentication: Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your domain.
- Monitor Reputation: Regularly monitor your IP and domain reputation using tools like Sender Score or ReputationAuthority.
- Investigate Logs: Check email sending infrastructure logs for unusual activity.
- Review Email Headers: Carefully examine bounced email headers for clues about the listing reason.
- Resubmit Requests: If initial delisting requests are unsuccessful, consider resubmitting or updating tickets.
Key considerations
- Remediation: Fix the underlying issues causing the listing (e.g., secure compromised accounts).
- Double Opt-in: Implement double opt-in for email lists to reduce spam complaints.
- List Segmentation: Segment email lists based on engagement to improve targeting.
- Feedback Loops: Set up feedback loops with major ISPs to receive spam complaint reports.
- Content Crafting: Carefully craft email content to avoid spam trigger words.
- Value Provision: Ensure your emails provide value to recipients to reduce spam reports.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests asking for an update within the ticket itself.
13 Sep 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailjet recommends implementing a double opt-in process for your email lists to ensure that recipients have explicitly consented to receive your emails, reducing the likelihood of spam complaints that could lead to a listing.
25 Jul 2022 - Mailjet
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
Getting help with a Spamhaus CSS delisting starts with understanding the specific Spamhaus list you are on (CSS, SBL, ZEN, etc.) and identifying the reason for the listing, such as spam complaints, compromised accounts, or policy violations. When requesting delisting, it's crucial to be honest and transparent, detailing the steps taken to resolve the issue and prevent recurrence. If listed on Spamhaus ZEN, check each individual Spamhaus list (CSS, PBL, SBL) to understand the specific cause and follow its respective delisting process.
Key opinions
- Understand Listing Type: Identify the specific Spamhaus list (CSS, SBL, ZEN, etc.) your IP or domain is on.
- Identify Reason for Listing: Determine the reason for the listing (spam complaints, compromised accounts, etc.).
- Transparency in Request: Be honest and transparent when requesting delisting from Spamhaus.
Key considerations
- Detailed Steps: Provide detailed information on steps taken to resolve the issue and prevent future occurrences.
- Individual List Check: If listed on Spamhaus ZEN, check each individual Spamhaus list (CSS, PBL, SBL) for specific details.
- Specific Processes: Follow the specific delisting processes for each Spamhaus list.
Expert view
Expert from SpamResource explains that understanding the specific reason for the Spamhaus listing (CSS, SBL, etc.) is the first step. Identify what triggered the listing, whether it's spam complaints, compromised accounts, or other policy violations.
1 Nov 2022 - SpamResource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise mentions that being listed on Spamhaus ZEN means your IP or domain is listed on one or more of Spamhaus's individual blocklists. It advises checking each Spamhaus list individually, like the CSS, PBL, and SBL, to understand the specific reasons for the listing and then follow their respective delisting processes.
26 Feb 2025 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
To get help with a Spamhaus CSS delist, you should first use tools like MXToolbox to confirm your listing. Then, identify and fix the root cause of the spamming, such as compromised accounts or open relays. Spamhaus recommends checking your outbound mail queues for spam and securing compromised accounts before requesting removal via the Spamhaus Blocklist Removal Center. Microsoft also advises identifying the cause and following Spamhaus's delisting procedure. Additionally, AWS suggests regularly reviewing and cleaning your email lists to remove inactive subscribers and maintain a healthy sender reputation, preventing future listings.
Key findings
- Confirm Listing: Use MXToolbox or similar tools to verify listing on Spamhaus CSS.
- Identify Root Cause: Determine the cause of spamming (e.g., compromised accounts, open relays).
- Use Removal Center: Request delisting through the Spamhaus Blocklist Removal Center.
Key considerations
- Fix Underlying Issues: Ensure compromised accounts are secured and open relays are closed.
- Check Outbound Queues: Inspect outbound mail queues for spam.
- Clean Email Lists: Regularly review and remove inactive subscribers from email lists.
- Maintain Reputation: Proactively work to maintain a healthy sender reputation to prevent future listings.
Technical article
Documentation from Spamhaus.org explains that to request a delisting from the CSS, you should check your outbound mail queues for spam, confirm open relays are closed, and ensure compromised accounts are secured. Then, use the Spamhaus Blocklist Removal Center to request removal.
17 Dec 2023 - Spamhaus.org
Technical article
Documentation from AWS states to regularly review and clean your email lists to remove inactive or unengaged subscribers. This helps maintain a healthy sender reputation and reduces the chances of being listed on blacklists.
19 Jan 2025 - AWS
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