Summary
Validity's decision to deprecate free Sender Score DNS lookups necessitates several solutions: registering IPs for continued access (especially for high-volume users), exploring commercial alternatives, implementing local DNS solutions (like Unbound server), or leveraging services like Spamhaus DQS, Proofpoint ET Intelligence, or Talos Intelligence's IP & Domain Reputation Center. Domain reputation is gaining importance, and contacting Validity support might be helpful. Monitoring sender reputation is still important. Consider the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of alternatives. Setting up local/redundant DNS requires technical expertise.
Key findings
- Sender Score Deprecation: Validity has deprecated free Sender Score DNS lookups.
- Validity IP Registration: Registering IPs is required for continued access to Sender Score (for high-volume).
- Local DNS Solution: Setting up a local (e.g., Unbound) or redundant DNS server can resolve the issue.
- Commercial Alternatives Exist: Commercial IP reputation services are available.
- DQS as an Alternative: Spamhaus DQS is an alternative with registration requirements.
- Domain reputation: Domain reputation is increasingly important.
- Monitor Sender Reputation: Monitoring sender reputation and score is very important.
Key considerations
- Cost: Commercial IP reputation services involve costs.
- Technical Expertise: Setting up local/redundant DNS requires technical knowledge.
- Registration Volume: Registering is only required for high volume DNS use.
- Accuracy and Relevance: Evaluate the accuracy of alternative reputation providers.
- Contact Validity Support: If registration fails, contact Validity support.
What email marketers say
9 marketer opinions
Validity's deprecation of free Sender Score DNS lookups necessitates either registering accessing IPs, exploring commercial alternatives, or implementing local DNS solutions. Domain reputation gains importance, and contacting Validity support might be beneficial if registration is problematic. Setting up a local or redundant DNS server in a DMZ, registering those IPs, and leveraging tools like Talos Intelligence's IP & Domain Reputation Center are also potential solutions.
Key opinions
- Registration Required: Validity requires registration for high-volume users to access Sender Score data.
- Local DNS: Setting up a local DNS server is a viable solution.
- Domain Reputation: Domain reputation is becoming more important than IP reputation.
- Commercial Alternatives: Consider commercial IP reputation services.
- Redundant DNS: Implementing redundant DNS servers within a DMZ can resolve issues with public resolvers.
Key considerations
- Volume: Registration is primarily for high-volume users.
- Complexity: Setting up local or redundant DNS requires technical expertise.
- Cost: Commercial services involve financial investment.
- Validity Support: Contacting Validity support for assistance is recommended if registration is an issue.
- DMZ Setup: Ensure proper DMZ configuration for security.
Marketer view
Email marketer from EmailGeek forum explains that you need to register your accessing IPs for full access.
10 Dec 2024 - EmailGeek forum
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares they setup redundant DNS servers within the DMZ for queries, resolving issues with public resolvers like 1.1.1.1, Google, and OpenDNS not returning real results.
24 Jan 2025 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
Validity has deprecated their Sender Score DNS lookups. Contacting Validity support might allow continued access. Domain reputation is increasingly important. Alternatives to Sender Score include blocklists and commercial reputation services, but their accuracy needs evaluation. Monitoring sender reputation and score remains essential.
Key opinions
- Sender Score Deprecated: Validity has effectively deprecated free Sender Score DNS lookups.
- Contact Validity: Contacting Validity support may enable continued access.
- Domain Reputation Importance: Domain reputation is increasingly significant.
- Sender Reputation monitoring: Monitoring sender reputation and score is very important.
- Sender Score Alternatives: Alternatives to Sender Score exist (e.g., blocklists, commercial services).
Key considerations
- Accuracy of Alternatives: Evaluate the accuracy and relevance of alternative services.
- Relevance to Needs: Assess whether alternatives meet specific needs.
Expert view
Expert from Spamresource.com explains that many alternatives exist to Sender Score, including blocklists and commercial reputation services, and suggests evaluating their accuracy and relevance for specific needs.
1 Nov 2023 - Spamresource.com
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks confirms that Validity has effectively deprecated their sender score DNS lookups.
3 Dec 2022 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Validity recommends registering accessing IPs for continued access to Sender Score data. Spamhaus's Data Query Service (DQS) is presented as an alternative with its own registration requirements for high-volume use. DigitalOcean details deploying an Unbound DNS server to manage DNS queries locally. Proofpoint's ET Intelligence service offers a way to check sender IPs.
Key findings
- Validity Registration: Register accessing IPs with Validity for continued Sender Score access.
- Spamhaus DQS: Spamhaus DQS is an alternative for IP and domain reputation.
- Unbound DNS Server: Deploying an Unbound DNS server allows local management and caching of DNS records.
- Proofpoint ET Intelligence: Proofpoint ET Intelligence allows checking of sender IPs.
Key considerations
- Registration Requirements: Spamhaus DQS requires registration for high-volume access.
- Technical Expertise: Deploying an Unbound DNS server requires technical skills.
- Cost of Proofpoint: Using Proofpoint ET Intelligence likely involves a cost.
Technical article
Documentation from DigitalOcean.com explains how to deploy an Unbound DNS server on a virtual private server to locally resolve hostnames and cache DNS records, useful for managing DNS queries.
29 Aug 2021 - DigitalOcean.com
Technical article
Documentation from Spamhaus explains that their Data Query Service (DQS) provides IP and domain reputation data, offering an alternative to Validity's Sender Score. It needs proper registration for higher volume access.
25 Feb 2023 - Spamhaus.org
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