Summary
The drop in UCEPROTECT listings for SparkPost and Sendgrid is likely due to a combination of factors. These include: improvements in email marketing practices and spam resolution by SparkPost and Sendgrid leading to a cleaner IP reputation, potential changes in UCEPROTECT's listing criteria (possibly influenced by pressure from larger ESPs or internal policy adjustments), and improved email authentication practices (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). It's also suggested that UCEPROTECT's practices are questionable and their motivations unclear. While some believe UCEPROTECT's 'pay-to-delist' model might have been a factor, others maintain no payments were made. The automatic delisting mechanism of UCEPROTECT, along with consistently practicing good email hygiene, also contribute to the reduced listings. Furthermore, the significance of UCEPROTECT listings themselves is questioned by some.
Key findings
- Improved Sending Practices: SparkPost and Sendgrid likely improved their sending practices, including spam resolution, leading to a better IP reputation.
- UCEPROTECT Policy Changes: UCEPROTECT may have altered its listing policies, possibly due to pressure from large ESPs or internal adjustments.
- Enhanced Authentication: Enhanced email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) practices reduced spam and blacklist appearances.
- Automatic Delisting: UCEPROTECT has an automatic delisting process for IPs/ASNs with a period of clean behavior.
- Questionable Practices: UCEPROTECT's practices and motivations are often unclear, raising questions about their listing criteria.
- No Payments Made: It's stated by some that no payments to UCEPROTECT were made.
Key considerations
- Combined Factors: The drop in listings is probably the result of multiple factors working in concert.
- UCEPROTECT Significance: The real impact of UCEPROTECT listings should be assessed, as some consider them less significant than other blocklists.
- Long-Term Strategy: Focus should be on long-term strategies for maintaining good sending reputations, rather than relying on quick fixes.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Given UCEPROTECT's potential policy changes and algorithm refinements, ongoing monitoring is essential.
- Proactive Prevention: Proactive spam prevention and robust email authentication should be prioritized to avoid future blacklistings.
What email marketers say
8 marketer opinions
The drop in UCEPROTECT listings for SparkPost and Sendgrid IPs could be attributed to several factors. These include: improved email marketing practices and spam resolution by SparkPost and Sendgrid, UCEPROTECT changing its listing criteria (potentially due to pressure from larger ESPs), the unreliability or questionable practices of UCEPROTECT's listing policies, or even possible negotiations or payments made by the ESPs to influence listing thresholds or be removed. Consistent email hygiene practices, like stricter signup verification and removing inactive users, also contribute to better IP reputation and reduced blacklist appearances. Some suspect a policy reversal or temporary adjustment from UCEPROTECT.
Key opinions
- Improved Practices: SparkPost and Sendgrid may have improved their email marketing practices and resolved spam issues.
- UCEPROTECT Changes: UCEPROTECT might have changed its listing criteria or policies, potentially due to pressure from larger ESPs.
- Pay-to-Delist: There's a possibility of negotiations or payments to UCEPROTECT to be removed or to change listing thresholds.
- Email Hygiene: Consistent email hygiene practices can lead to better IP reputation and fewer blacklist appearances.
- Unreliable Blacklist: UCEPROTECT's listing policies might be unreliable or questionable.
Key considerations
- UCEPROTECT Influence: The actual impact of UCEPROTECT listings might not be as significant as the alerts they trigger for customers.
- Policy Changes: UCEPROTECT's policies can change, so monitoring them is crucial.
- Long-Term Reputation: Focus on long-term email reputation by maintaining good sending practices.
- Blacklist Selection: Be aware of which blocklists are most important to your recipients.
- Multiple Factors: It's likely a combination of factors contributed to the delisting.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks believes that the policy reversal is what happened, and confirms they did not pay to be removed.
25 Dec 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit r/emailmarketing suggests that UCEPROTECT may have quietly adjusted its policies regarding ASN listings due to increasing pressure from larger ESPs.
5 Aug 2023 - Reddit r/emailmarketing
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
Experts suggest several reasons for the drop in UCEPROTECT listings for SparkPost and Sendgrid. One explanation is an automatic timeout mechanism or a change back to a previous Level 3 listing algorithm. Another reason is that paying UCEPROTECT only provides temporary relief as relisting occurs with subsequent spam trap hits. Finally, UCEPROTECT's questionable practices and unclear methods imply that the listing changes may stem from internal policy adjustments or external pressure.
Key opinions
- Auto Timeout/Algorithm Change: UCEPROTECT may have implemented an auto timeout or reverted to a previous Level 3 listing algorithm.
- Temporary Mitigation: Paying UCEPROTECT offers only temporary mitigation, with relisting occurring if spam traps are hit again.
- Questionable Practices: UCEPROTECT operates with unclear methods and potential internal/external pressures influence their listing changes.
Key considerations
- Temporary Fix: Relying on payment for delisting is a temporary solution and doesn't address the underlying spam issues.
- Algorithm Volatility: UCEPROTECT's listing algorithms and policies can change, so continuous monitoring is necessary.
- Underlying Issue: Focus should be placed on reducing spam and avoiding spam traps to prevent relisting, rather than solely relying on delisting methods.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks mentions there's an auto timeout and word from mailop suggests UCEPROTECT changed the way they were listing level3 and it's possible they reverted to the old level3 algorithm.
17 Apr 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise suggests UCEPROTECT operates with questionable practices, mentioning that their methods and motivations are often unclear, implying that changes in listings could be due to internal policy adjustments or external pressures.
21 Mar 2022 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
The drop in UCEPROTECT listings for SparkPost and Sendgrid can be attributed to several factors documented by both UCEPROTECT and the ESPs themselves. UCEPROTECT documentation states delisting occurs automatically after a period of clean behavior or after manual review. SparkPost and Sendgrid documentation highlights their proactive efforts to combat spam and abuse, manage IP reputation, and remove compromised accounts. IETF documentation notes that improved email authentication practices (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) contribute to reducing spam, leading to fewer blacklist appearances.
Key findings
- Automatic Delisting: UCEPROTECT automatically delists IPs/ASNs after a period of clean behavior or manual review.
- Proactive Spam Prevention: SparkPost and Sendgrid actively work to prevent spam and manage IP reputation.
- Improved Authentication: Enhanced email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) reduces spam and blacklist appearances.
Key considerations
- Ongoing Effort: Maintaining good IP reputation requires continuous effort and proactive spam prevention measures.
- Authentication Importance: Implementing and maintaining strong email authentication is crucial for deliverability.
- Algorithm Refinement: UCEPROTECT's listing algorithms are constantly being refined, so ongoing monitoring is recommended.
Technical article
Documentation from Sendgrid outlines that they actively combat spam and abuse on their platform which includes working to improve IP reputation - this could lead to fewer UCEPROTECT listings.
4 Jun 2023 - Sendgrid Documentation
Technical article
Documentation from ietf.org explains that improved email authentication practices (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) by SparkPost and Sendgrid would lead to reduced spam and thus decrease listing on blacklists like UCEPROTECT.
2 Sep 2022 - ietf.org
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