How severe is a SORBS listing impact on email delivery?

The severity of a SORBS listing's impact on email delivery is varied and generally less significant than in the past. Many sources suggest that it is not a major issue for B2C senders or has no noticeable impact. However, other sources state the impact depends on factors such as the recipient's email provider, the specific SORBS list the IP is on, the configuration of the receiving mail server, and the market (e.g., Denmark). While some organizations may rely heavily on SORBS data, others may consider it as only one factor among many. Being listed can indicate underlying deliverability issues. Experts agree it is less critical but can affect smaller providers or older systems. Proofpoint owns SORBS, impacting its implementation and data sharing.

The severity of a SORBS listing's impact on email delivery is variable and generally less significant than it once was. While some sources claim minimal or no impact, others note potential deliverability issues, particularly with smaller ISPs, older spam filters, or specific markets like Denmark. A listing may also indicate underlying sender reputation or email configuration problems. The impact largely depends on the recipient's email provider, their reliance on SORBS, and the specific SORBS list in question. Newer email providers and spam filters are also more likely to ignore SORBS lookups.

Experts generally agree that the impact of SORBS listings on email delivery has diminished over time, particularly with larger email providers. However, listings can still affect deliverability, especially for smaller providers or older systems that still rely on SORBS data. Being listed on a 'meaningful' SORBS list could indicate underlying sender issues. It's important to recognize that SORBS is now owned by Proofpoint, though their policies differ. Also, SORBS listings vary in type, with some being easily removed.

The impact of a SORBS listing on email deliverability is highly variable. Documentation indicates that SORBS is now maintained by Proofpoint, and the specific SORBS list an IP is on, along with the configuration of the receiving mail server, significantly influences the outcome. While some organizations rely heavily on SORBS for spam filtering, others may use it as one factor among many. The weight given to SORBS data by various RBLs and receiving servers differs.