Summary
Experts and marketers agree that Spamhaus is a highly reputable and accurate RBL for blocking spam. Spamhaus DBL, SURBL, and URIBL are often recommended together for comprehensive coverage. It's important to choose reputable RBLs to avoid false positives. URIBLs are especially useful for detecting malicious URLs in emails. Monitoring RBL listings is crucial for maintaining deliverability. To avoid being listed, ensure proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), maintain clean lists, engage subscribers, use double opt-in, and segment lists. While testing RBLs is possible, it can harm sender reputation. PhishTank's trustworthiness is questioned due to potential manipulation.
Key findings
- Spamhaus Recommendation: Spamhaus is consistently recommended as a highly accurate and trustworthy RBL.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Combining Spamhaus DBL, SURBL, and URIBL provides comprehensive spam detection.
- URIBL Specificity: URIBLs are particularly effective for identifying malicious URLs within emails.
- Monitoring Importance: Regular monitoring of RBL listings is essential to prevent blacklisting.
Key considerations
- False Positive Risk: Choosing reputable RBLs is important to avoid blocking legitimate emails.
- Sender Reputation: Testing RBLs with spam-like emails can negatively impact your sender reputation.
- List Hygiene: Maintaining clean and engaged subscriber lists is crucial for avoiding RBL listings.
- Authentication Standards: Implementing proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is vital.
- Data Integrity: Consider the management and influence on the data when selecting an RBL, as some may be more susceptible to manipulation than others.
What email marketers say
10 marketer opinions
Experts and marketers agree that Spamhaus is highly reputable and accurate for blocking spam. Using multiple RBLs like Spamhaus, SURBL, and URIBL can improve spam detection but choosing trustworthy RBLs is crucial to avoid false positives. URIBLs are beneficial for detecting malicious URLs. Monitoring RBL listings is essential to prevent blacklisting and using tools like MXToolbox and HetrixTools can aid in this. To avoid listing, send emails to engaged subscribers, use double opt-in, and segment lists. Testing RBLs can be done but carries a risk to reputation.
Key opinions
- Spamhaus Reputation: Spamhaus is consistently recommended as a highly accurate and trustworthy RBL.
- Multiple RBLs: Using multiple RBLs (e.g., Spamhaus, SURBL, URIBL) can improve spam detection rates.
- URIBL Usefulness: URIBLs are particularly useful for detecting malicious URLs within emails.
- Monitoring Importance: Regularly monitoring RBL listings is important to prevent your sending IP from being blacklisted.
Key considerations
- Reputation Risk: Testing RBLs by sending spam-like emails can potentially damage your sender reputation.
- False Positives: Choosing reputable RBLs is important to avoid false positives that could block legitimate emails.
- Engagement: Maintaining engaged subscriber lists, using double opt-in, and list segmentation can help avoid RBL listings.
- RBL Types: RBLs are divided into IP based, or URL based. Each targets different spamming activities.
Marketer view
Email marketer from MailChannels explains that Spamhaus is known for its accuracy and is widely respected, making it a reliable choice for blocking spam.
19 Nov 2022 - MailChannels
Marketer view
Email marketer from StackExchange shares that one can test RBLs by intentionally sending spam-like emails to see if they are detected, but warns that this could potentially damage your reputation.
23 Feb 2023 - StackExchange
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
Experts recommend Spamhaus DBL, SURBL, and URIBL as good URL RBLs, with Spamhaus being particularly well-respected for its accuracy. PhishTank is considered less trustworthy due to potential manipulation by community voters. Spamhaus and SURBL provide good coverage and accuracy.
Key opinions
- Recommended RBLs: Spamhaus DBL, SURBL, and URIBL are recommended as effective URL RBLs.
- Spamhaus Reputation: Spamhaus is highly regarded for its accuracy and is widely used.
- PhishTank Concerns: PhishTank's reliability is questioned due to potential manipulation by community voting.
Key considerations
- Data Trustworthiness: Consider the management and influence on the data when selecting an RBL.
- Accuracy Focus: Prioritize RBLs known for their accuracy in identifying spam sources.
- Coverage: Consider RBLs that offer comprehensive coverage, such as Spamhaus and SURBL.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares that Spamhaus DBL, SURBL or URIBL are all good URL RBLs.
28 Nov 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from WordtotheWise shares that Spamhaus and SURBL are reputable for RBL, DBL, and URIBL coverage and accuracy.
22 Jan 2022 - WordtotheWise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
The Spamhaus DBL is a real-time database blocking domains involved in malicious activities. SURBL lists websites appearing in unsolicited messages and detects those used for spam or phishing. URIBL identifies abusive URIs in unsolicited emails. Compliance with email best practices, including authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), clean lists, and addressing complaints, can help avoid listing.
Key findings
- Spamhaus DBL: Blocks access to domains involved in spamming, phishing, and malware.
- SURBL Function: Detects websites used for spam, phishing, or other fraudulent activities.
- URIBL Identification: Identifies abusive URIs (links) present in unsolicited email.
Key considerations
- Email Practices: Following best practices is vital to avoid being listed on RBLs.
- Authentication: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial.
- List Hygiene: Maintaining clean mailing lists is a key factor in deliverability.
- Complaint Handling: Promptly addressing complaints helps in maintaining a good sending reputation.
Technical article
Documentation from Spamhaus explains that the DBL (Domain Block List) is a real-time database of domains found to be involved in spamming or other malicious activities. It's designed to block access to these domains, protecting users from spam, phishing, and malware.
7 Jan 2025 - Spamhaus
Technical article
Documentation from Spamhaus explains to avoid listing by ensuring email practices are compliant with best practices, including proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), maintaining clean mailing lists, and promptly addressing complaints.
8 Mar 2025 - Spamhaus
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