How can I get a quick response for a SURBL delisting?
Matthew Whittaker
Co-founder & CTO, Suped
Published 30 May 2025
Updated 18 Aug 2025
7 min read
Dealing with a SURBL blocklist (or blacklist) listing can be a frustrating experience, especially when you need a quick resolution. SURBL, which stands for Spam URI Realtime Blocklist, primarily lists domains and URLs found in spam messages, not necessarily IP addresses. If your domain finds its way onto this blocklist, it can severely impact your email deliverability, causing your legitimate emails to be flagged as spam or rejected entirely.
The goal is always to get off a blacklist as quickly as possible. However, the speed of delisting often depends on two main factors: how quickly you identify and remediate the underlying cause of the listing, and how responsive the blocklist operator (in this case, SURBL) is to your delisting request. While SURBL is generally known for being quite responsive, certain situations can lead to delays.
In this guide, I will walk you through the steps to increase your chances of a prompt SURBL delisting and highlight key issues that might be causing delays. Understanding the nuances of these listings and how to address them effectively is crucial for maintaining your email reputation.
SURBL focuses on identifying and listing URLs and domains found within the body of spam messages. Unlike some other blocklists that target IP addresses, SURBL's primary concern is the content being linked within emails. This means that even if your sending IP address is clean, a malicious or compromised URL in your email content can lead to a listing.
The impact of a SURBL listing is significant. When your domain or a URL associated with your emails is on a SURBL blacklist, email providers often filter or reject your messages. This can lead to a drastic drop in your email deliverability, preventing important communications from reaching your recipients' inboxes. To learn more about how this impacts your emails, you can read our guide on SURBL's impact on email deliverability.
What SURBL does
SURBL's mission is to provide a comprehensive list of URLs found in unsolicited commercial email (spam). They aim to help email administrators filter out unwanted messages by identifying domains and hostnames that are actively being used in spam.
Common reasons for a SURBL listing include compromised websites hosting malware or phishing pages, legitimate sites linking to spammy content, or domains involved in "snowshoe spam," where spammers distribute low-volume spam across many domains to evade detection. If you’re unsure if your domain or URL is listed, you can use a SURBL lookup tool to check.
The standard SURBL delisting process
The standard process for requesting a delisting from SURBL is straightforward, but it requires diligence on your part. First, you need to confirm that your domain or URL is indeed listed. You can do this by using the SURBL Lookup page, which allows you to enter your domain or IP address and see its current status. This is the essential first step before initiating any removal request.
Once confirmed, SURBL's official process directs you to their removal form. It’s important to fill this out accurately, providing all requested information. While specific details may vary, typical information includes the listed domain/URL, a contact email, and a description of the steps you've taken to resolve the issue that caused the listing. You can find more information about their process on their frequently asked questions page.
Example SURBL DNS lookupbash
dig +short example.com.multi.surbl.org
SURBL generally processes delisting requests within 24 to 48 hours, assuming the underlying issue has been fully addressed. However, if the cause of the listing persists, or if there are new instances of abuse, your delisting request might be delayed or even denied. This is why fixing the problem is paramount, rather than just submitting a form and waiting. Understanding how to contact SURBL and their policies can help manage expectations.
Expediting your delisting request
While SURBL aims for quick responses, several factors can cause delays in your delisting request. The most common reason is that the root cause of the listing has not been fully resolved. SURBL's primary goal is to protect users from spam, so if they detect ongoing suspicious activity from your domain or associated URLs, they will not delist you.
Common delisting pitfalls vs. effective strategies
Ignoring the root cause: Just submitting a delisting form without resolving the issue will lead to re-listing or ignored requests.
Lack of evidence: Not providing clear, actionable steps you've taken to fix the problem.
Impatience: Expecting immediate delisting without allowing time for their review process.
Effective strategies
Thorough cleanup: Ensure all malicious content is removed and vulnerabilities are patched. This might involve deep scans and security audits.
Clear communication: Detail your investigative steps and the remediation actions in your request.
Monitor proactively: Keep an eye on your domain's reputation and scan for new threats regularly to prevent future listings.
One common issue is shared hosting, where your domain might be hosted on a server with other questionable sites. If any of these shared infrastructure neighbors are involved in spamming activities, your domain can become collateral damage, even if your own practices are clean. SURBL might be hesitant to delist if the shared environment continues to pose a risk. This highlights the importance of choosing a reputable hosting provider.
Identify root cause: Determine why your domain was listed. Is it compromised software, malicious links, or shared hosting issues?
Remediate thoroughly: Clean up any malware, remove spammy content, or switch hosting if shared infrastructure is the problem.
Prepare your request: Clearly explain the problem and the steps you've taken to fix it. Be concise and factual.
Submit and monitor: Use the official SURBL removal form and then monitor your domain's status.
Identifying and addressing underlying issues
For a truly quick response, you must not only identify the immediate cause of the listing but also address any deeper, underlying issues that might lead to re-listing. This means going beyond a superficial fix and conducting a thorough investigation into your email sending practices and website security.
If your domain is involved in "snowshoe spam," where a high volume of spam is distributed across a large number of domains and IP addresses to avoid detection, SURBL will be less inclined to delist quickly. This sophisticated spamming technique makes it difficult for blocklists to distinguish legitimate traffic from malicious. You need to provide convincing evidence that your domain is no longer associated with such activities, which may involve a complete overhaul of your sending infrastructure or affiliate programs.
Another often-overlooked factor is a history of poor email hygiene. If your domain has a pattern of spam complaints, high bounce rates, or has been listed on multiple blocklists over time, SURBL might view your delisting request with more scrutiny. Proactive management of your email lists and sending reputation is key to avoiding future listings and ensuring faster delisting when issues arise. You can improve your overall email deliverability by ensuring you adhere to technical solutions from top performing senders.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Always investigate and resolve the root cause before submitting a delisting request to SURBL.
Maintain clean email lists and adhere to email marketing best practices to prevent future listings.
Proactively monitor your domain and IP addresses for any signs of compromise or malicious activity.
Common pitfalls
Submitting a delisting request without fully addressing the underlying issue will lead to re-listing.
Ignoring shared hosting environments where other domains on the same server might cause issues.
Failing to provide clear and detailed information about the remediation steps taken in your request.
Expert tips
Shared hosting can often be the culprit, as bad neighbors can negatively impact your domain's reputation and lead to SURBL listings.
If a client's domain has been listed for a long time (e.g., since 2023) due to snowshoe spam, getting a quick delisting will be challenging as it indicates a systemic issue.
SURBL is usually quite responsive, so if you're experiencing significant delays, it often points to unresolved issues with the listed domain or its associated content.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says that the domain might be sharing hosting with questionable sites, and its content could be used across multiple related domains, potentially indicating affiliate issues. These other issues should be checked as SURBL is typically very responsive.
2024-03-01 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says that if a new client's domain is involved in snowshoe spam and has been listed since 2023, SURBL may not prioritize a quick delisting due to the long-standing nature of the problem.
2024-03-05 - Email Geeks
Achieving faster delisting
Achieving a quick response for a SURBL delisting hinges on your proactive efforts and a thorough understanding of why your domain was listed in the first place. It's not just about submitting a form, but about demonstrating to SURBL that the problem has been comprehensively identified and resolved.
By following the official delisting process, meticulously identifying and remediating underlying causes, and maintaining strong email security practices, you significantly increase your chances of a prompt and successful delisting. Remember that SURBL's responsiveness is often tied to the completeness of your remediation efforts. Focus on fixing the issue, and a quick response will naturally follow.
Spamhaus
0Spam
Cisco
NoSolicitado
URIBL
abuse.ro
ALPHANET
Anonmails
Ascams
BLOCKEDSERVERS
Calivent Networks
EFnet
JustSpam
Kempt.net
NordSpam
RV-SOFT Technology
Scientific Spam
Spamikaze
SpamRATS
SPFBL
Suomispam
System 5 Hosting
Team Cymru
Validity
www.blocklist.de Fail2Ban-Reporting Service
ZapBL
2stepback.dk
Fayntic Services
ORB UK
technoirc.org
TechTheft
SURBL's mission is to provide a comprehensive list of URLs found in unsolicited commercial email (spam). They aim to help email administrators filter out unwanted messages by identifying domains and hostnames that are actively being used in spam.
