Summary
IP blacklisting occurs for a multitude of reasons encompassing technical vulnerabilities, poor sending practices, and shared infrastructure risks. Infections relaying spam from your network, sending mail from behind a NAT (Network Address Translation) particularly when other services are also using the same NAT IP, inconsistent sending volumes, high spam complaint rates, sending to invalid email addresses, and poor email authentication are all contributing factors. In shared hosting environments, the actions of other users can negatively impact your IP's reputation. Addressing blacklisting requires identifying the specific blacklist, understanding the reason for the listing, resolving the underlying issues, and then requesting delisting. Proactive measures include monitoring blacklist status, maintaining clean email lists free of spam traps, implementing email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), securing mail servers to prevent open relaying, gradually warming up new IPs, and utilizing feedback loops to manage spam complaints.
Key findings
- Infection Risks: Malware infections relaying spam through your network can lead to IP blacklisting.
- NAT Complications: Sending mail from behind a NAT, especially when combined with other services, increases blacklisting risks.
- Inconsistent Volumes: Spikes in email sending volume can trigger spam filters and result in blacklisting.
- Authentication is Key: Proper implementation of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is critical for preventing spoofing and improving email deliverability.
- List Hygiene Matters: Maintaining a clean email list, free of invalid addresses and spam traps, is essential.
- Shared Hosting Drawbacks: In shared hosting, your IP's reputation is affected by the actions of other users on the same server.
- Proactive Monitoring Needed: Regularly monitoring your IP's blacklist status helps identify and address issues promptly.
- Feedback Loops Are Important: Utilizing feedback loops (FBLs) helps manage spam complaints and reduce the risk of blacklisting.
Key considerations
- Scan for Infections: Scan all VMs and devices for malware and ensure your network is secure.
- Avoid NAT if Possible: Use a dedicated mail server with a real IP address instead of sending email from behind a NAT.
- Warm-up New IPs: Gradually warm up new IP addresses to establish a positive sending reputation.
- Identify the Blacklist: Use multi-RBL lookup tools (like MXToolbox or MultiRBL) to identify the specific blacklist your IP is on.
- Implement Feedback Loops: Subscribe to feedback loops to receive reports on spam complaints and take action accordingly.
- Secure your Mail Server: Check your mail server configuration to prevent it from acting as an open relay.
- Delisting Process: Understand and follow the specific delisting process for each blacklist you are listed on.
- Adhere to SMTP Standards: Ensure your email sending practices adhere to SMTP standards (RFC 5321) for proper HELO/EHLO greetings and message formatting.
What email marketers say
9 marketer opinions
An IP address can be blacklisted for numerous reasons related to email sending practices. Common causes include high spam complaint rates, sending to invalid email addresses (high bounce rates), poor email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and the presence of spam traps in the recipient list. Blacklists monitor these factors and list IPs that exceed established thresholds. Shared hosting environments can also lead to blacklisting due to the actions of other users on the same server. Addressing blacklisting requires identifying the specific blacklist, determining the reason for listing, resolving the underlying issues, and requesting delisting. Proactive measures include monitoring blacklist status, maintaining clean email lists, warming up new IPs gradually, and securing mail servers to prevent open relaying.
Key opinions
- Causes of Blacklisting: High spam complaints, invalid addresses, poor authentication, and spam traps are common reasons for blacklisting.
- Shared Hosting Risks: Shared hosting can lead to blacklisting due to the actions of other users on the same server.
- Authentication Importance: Proper implementation of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is critical for preventing spoofing and improving deliverability.
- List Hygiene: Maintaining a clean email list by removing invalid addresses and avoiding spam traps is crucial.
- Proactive Monitoring: Regularly monitoring your IP's blacklist status can help identify and address issues promptly.
Key considerations
- Identify Blacklist: Determine which blacklist your IP is listed on to understand the specific reason and delisting process.
- Resolve Underlying Issues: Address the root causes of blacklisting, such as high spam complaints or poor authentication.
- Request Delisting: Once the issues are resolved, request delisting from the blacklist provider following their specific procedures.
- IP Warm-up: Gradually warm up new IP addresses to establish a positive sending reputation before sending large volumes of email.
- Secure Mail Server: Ensure your mail server is not configured as an open relay to prevent unauthorized use by spammers.
Marketer view
Email marketer from SendPulse explains that if you're using a new IP address, gradually warm it up by sending small volumes of email to engaged subscribers first. Gradually increase the volume over time to establish a positive sending reputation. Sudden large volumes of email from a new IP can trigger blacklisting.
28 Nov 2021 - SendPulse
Marketer view
Email marketer from Digital Ocean explains that the steps to remove an IP address from a blacklist typically involve identifying the blacklist, determining the reason for listing, resolving the issue (e.g., stopping spamming activity, fixing authentication), and then requesting delisting from the blacklist provider. Each blacklist has its own delisting process.
21 Apr 2025 - Digital Ocean
What the experts say
5 expert opinions
IP blacklisting can occur due to various technical and behavioral reasons. Underlying infections relaying spam, sending from behind a NAT (especially when combined with other machines), and inconsistent sending volumes are significant contributors. Identifying the specific blacklist is crucial for understanding the cause and initiating the delisting process. Implementing feedback loops (FBLs) helps monitor and manage spam complaints. Using a dedicated mail server with a real IP address is recommended over sending mail from behind a NAT.
Key opinions
- Infection & NAT: IP blacklisting can be caused by an infection relaying spam, especially when sending from behind a NAT.
- Inconsistent Volume: Inconsistent email sending volumes can trigger spam filters and lead to blacklisting.
- Blacklist Identification: Identifying the specific blacklist is the first step in addressing the issue.
- Importance of FBLs: Feedback loops (FBLs) are crucial for monitoring and managing spam complaints.
- NAT Limitations: Sending mail from behind a NAT increases the risk of blacklisting, especially when mixed with other traffic.
Key considerations
- Packet Sniffing & VM Scans: If IP blacklisting persists, consider installing a packet sniffer and scanning all VMs for infections.
- Use Real Mailserver: Utilize a real mail server with a dedicated IP address instead of sending email from behind a NAT.
- Monitor Sending Volume: Maintain a consistent sending volume to avoid triggering spam filters.
- Multi-RBL Lookup: Use a multi-RBL lookup tool to identify which blacklists your IP is on.
- Implement FBLs: Subscribe to feedback loops to receive reports on spam complaints and remove offending users.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains the importance of feedback loops (FBLs). FBLs allow you to receive reports about spam complaints from email providers. By subscribing to FBLs, you can identify and remove users who are marking your emails as spam, thus reducing the risk of blacklisting.
22 Sep 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource shares that identifying which blacklist your IP is on is the first step. Use a multi-RBL lookup tool like MXToolbox to check your IP against multiple blacklists simultaneously. Knowing which blacklist has listed you helps you understand the specific reason and delisting process.
10 Apr 2023 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
IP addresses are blacklisted for various reasons, including sending spam, hosting malware, or being part of a botnet. Identifying if you are on a blacklist and why is the first step, which can be done using tools like Spamhaus and MultiRBL. Maintaining a good IP reputation is crucial, as reflected by your sending history, and can be monitored using tools like MXToolbox. Adhering to SMTP standards outlined in RFC 5321 ensures proper email sending practices and helps avoid being flagged as spam.
Key findings
- Reasons for Blacklisting: IP addresses are blacklisted for sending spam, hosting malware, or participating in botnets.
- Blacklist Identification Tools: Tools like Spamhaus and MultiRBL help identify if your IP is on a blacklist and on which lists.
- IP Reputation: Your IP's sending history determines its reputation, affecting the likelihood of being blacklisted.
- SMTP Standards: Following SMTP standards (RFC 5321) is essential for proper email sending and avoiding spam flags.
Key considerations
- Check Spamhaus: Use the Spamhaus website to check if your IP is listed and understand the reason for the listing.
- Use MultiRBL: Utilize MultiRBL to check your IP against multiple DNS-based blacklists simultaneously.
- Monitor with MXToolbox: Use MXToolbox to monitor your IP reputation and diagnose email deliverability issues.
- Adhere to RFC 5321: Follow SMTP standards outlined in RFC 5321 to ensure proper email sending practices.
Technical article
Documentation from RFC 5321 explains that the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) standards document outlines best practices for email sending, including proper HELO/EHLO greetings, message formatting, and error handling. Adhering to these standards helps ensure deliverability and avoid being flagged as spam.
20 Dec 2024 - RFC Editor
Technical article
Documentation from MultiRBL explains that MultiRBL is a tool to check if your IP address is listed on multiple DNS-based blacklists (DNSBLs) or Realtime Blackhole Lists (RBLs). It provides a consolidated view of your IP's status across various blacklists, helping you identify if you're listed and on which lists.
4 Nov 2021 - MultiRBL.valli.org
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