Summary
The collective responses highlight that while being listed on any blacklist is generally undesirable, the impact of SPAMCOP and SORBS differs significantly. SPAMCOP is consistently recognized as a high-tier blacklist with a measurable impact on deliverability, leading to emails being marked as spam or blocked. SORBS, while still a blacklist, is often considered less impactful, with some sources even noting that its lists are no longer updated, diminishing its relevance. A key theme throughout is the importance of consistently monitoring domain and IP reputation across various blacklists and proactively addressing any listings to maintain good deliverability. The effectiveness of any particular blacklist depends on the recipient domain, and monitoring various ones is important. Practices of co-marketing partners and the use of shared IPs also affect the sender's reputation.
Key findings
- SPAMCOP's High Impact: SPAMCOP is a high-tier blacklist with measurable deliverability consequences.
- SORBS' Limited Impact: SORBS has a minimal impact, and some lists are outdated, although delisting may still be advised.
- Reputation Monitoring: Consistent monitoring of IP and domain reputation is crucial across multiple blacklists.
- Varying Blacklist Effectiveness: Blacklist effectiveness varies depending on the recipient domain's reliance on specific lists.
- Co-marketing Risks: Poor practices by co-marketing partners can negatively affect your brand's reputation.
- Shared IP Risks: Shared IPs are frequently listed and delisted, requiring close monitoring.
Key considerations
- Deliverability Impact Tracking: Track deliverability metrics before and after a blacklist listing to accurately assess the impact.
- Prioritize Important Blacklists: Focus on addressing listings on major blacklists like Spamhaus and SPAMCOP.
- Proactive Monitoring: Implement proactive measures to monitor and manage sender reputation to prevent blacklist listings.
- Swift Action on Listings: If listed, promptly investigate and take corrective action to request delisting.
- Partner Vetting: Vetting co-marketing partners for responsible email practices is crucial for safeguarding your reputation.
- Monitor Shared IPs: Pay close attention to the reputation of shared IPs and the policies of your ESP regarding 'bad' IPs.
What email marketers say
12 marketer opinions
The importance of SPAMCOP and SORBS blacklists for email deliverability is a nuanced topic. While being listed on any blacklist is generally detrimental, the severity of the impact varies. SPAMCOP is consistently identified as a high-tier blacklist that can significantly affect deliverability, leading to emails being marked as spam or blocked. SORBS, on the other hand, is often considered to have a more minimal impact, with some experts even questioning its overall effectiveness. However, it's still recommended to address SORBS listings. Monitoring your domain and IP reputation across multiple blacklists is crucial, and promptly addressing any listings is essential for maintaining good deliverability. Co-marketing activities can also impact your brand's reputation if partners engage in spam practices.
Key opinions
- SPAMCOP Impact: SPAMCOP is a high-tier blacklist that can significantly impact email deliverability.
- SORBS Impact: SORBS's impact is generally considered minimal, but addressing listings is still recommended.
- Monitoring is Key: Consistently monitoring domain and IP reputation across multiple blacklists is essential.
- Co-marketing Risks: Co-marketing partners' spam practices can negatively affect your brand's reputation.
- Shared IP Risks: Shared IPs are frequently listed and delisted and require close monitoring
Key considerations
- Deliverability Monitoring: Track underperformance after being listed on a blacklist to gauge the actual impact on your deliverability.
- Blacklist Importance: Prioritize addressing listings on major blacklists like Spamhaus and SPAMCOP over less influential ones like SORBS.
- Proactive Measures: Actively monitor and manage your sender reputation to prevent being listed on blacklists in the first place.
- Listing Response: If listed on a blacklist, promptly investigate the cause and take corrective action to request delisting.
- Partner Reputation: Ensure co-marketing partners adhere to best practices to avoid damaging your sender reputation.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Marketing Forum shares that consistently monitoring your domain and IP reputation is essential to avoid blacklists and maintain good deliverability. If you get listed, act quickly to resolve the issue.
16 May 2022 - Marketing Forum
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that SPAMCOP is a high-tier blacklist with measurable deliverability impact. SORBs has minimal impact and questionable practices, but delisting is still advised. SORBs delisting allows access to redacted headers for easier sender tracking.
7 Oct 2021 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
The importance of SPAMCOP and SORBS blacklists for email deliverability is underscored by the necessity to monitor sender reputation. Blacklist effectiveness varies based on the recipient domain; some domains heavily rely on specific blacklists, while others disregard them. Monitoring blacklists like SPAMCOP is important, and proactively identifying and addressing issues is crucial, as being listed on widely used blacklists significantly impacts email deliverability.
Key opinions
- Varying Effectiveness: Blacklist effectiveness depends on the recipient domain's reliance on specific blacklists.
- Reputation Monitoring: Regular monitoring of IP and domain reputation is crucial for maintaining deliverability.
- Proactive Issue Resolution: Proactively identifying and addressing blacklist issues is vital.
Key considerations
- Diverse Monitoring: Monitor sender reputation across multiple blacklists due to varying effectiveness among recipient domains.
- Regular Checks: Implement regular checks of IP and domain reputation to identify potential issues early.
- Swift Action: Take swift action to address any blacklist listings to mitigate the impact on email deliverability.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that blacklist effectiveness varies widely depending on the recipient domain. Some domains rely heavily on certain blacklists, while others may disregard them entirely, making it essential to monitor your sender reputation across multiple blacklists.
13 Jul 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Spamresource explains that monitoring blacklists like Spamcop and others, is important as a listing on a widely used blacklist can significantly impact email deliverability. It is important to monitor your IP and domain reputation regularly to proactively identify and address any issues.
4 Sep 2022 - Spamresource
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
According to documentation from various blacklist providers, Spamhaus and Spamcop are important blacklists, and being listed on either can negatively affect email deliverability. SORBS is a DNSBL provider, but its lists are no longer updated. MultiRBL emphasizes the importance of regularly checking and monitoring blacklists, as being listed generally affects deliverability.
Key findings
- Spamhaus Importance: Spamhaus is a widely used and important blacklist.
- Spamcop's Impact: Spamcop's BL is used by many mail servers to block spam, affecting deliverability.
- SORBS Status: SORBS lists are no longer updated.
- General Blacklist Effect: Being listed on blacklists affects deliverability, necessitating regular monitoring.
Key considerations
- Monitor Spamhaus: Pay close attention to Spamhaus listings due to its widespread usage.
- Monitor Spamcop: Regularly check Spamcop listings and take swift action if listed.
- SORBS Relevance: Consider SORBS less critical due to lack of updates.
- Regular Blacklist Checks: Implement regular checks and monitoring of various blacklists to maintain deliverability.
Technical article
Documentation from Spamcop explains that Spamcop's BL is used by many mail servers to block spam. Therefore, being listed will reduce deliverability.
15 Jul 2022 - Spamcop
Technical article
Documentation from Spamhaus explains that Spamhaus is a very important and used blacklist and any listing can seriously affect deliverability.
17 Dec 2022 - Spamhaus
Besides Spamhaus, what blocklists are important for email marketers to monitor?
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