How to contact Spamhaus DBL and troubleshoot a domain listing?

Key findings

• Automated delisting: The delisting process for Spamhaus DBL is largely automated, unlike other blocklists such as SBL, which may involve more direct communication.
• Limited direct contact: Finding a direct contact email for the Spamhaus DBL team is challenging, as inquiries are often handled through their automated removal center or general support channels.
• URL-based listings: DBL listings often occur when a domain is used in the body of spam or phishing emails, even if the emails are not sent from your own servers. This differentiates it from IP-based blocklists.
• Weblog investigation: If a domain is listed but not actively sending emails, examining weblogs for potential compromises or phishing pages is a critical step in troubleshooting.

Key considerations

• DMARC reports: While useful for tracking domain usage in the 'From' address, DMARC reports may not reveal instances where your domain is used in links within spam messages, necessitating other investigative methods.
• Affiliate marketing checks: Investigate whether your domain is being misused in affiliate marketing campaigns or by unauthorized third parties.
• CSS blocklist correlation: Check for listings on the Composite Snowshoe Blocklist (CSS). If your IPs are not also listed on CSS, the issue is likely not related to mail originating directly from your sending infrastructure.
• Spamhaus Removal Center: The primary channel for delisting is the Spamhaus Removal Center, where you can submit requests and often get initial information.

Key opinions

• Client engagement: Marketers typically handle delisting requests on behalf of clients, but only after engaging with the client to understand and resolve the root cause of the listing.
• DBL vs SBL automation: There's a general consensus that DBL delistings are more automated compared to SBL, making it harder to get detailed explanations about the listing reason.
• Investigation is key: Even when a domain isn't actively used for sending, marketers realize the importance of investigating why it's been blacklisted, often suspecting unauthorized use.
• Affiliate marketing concerns: Many marketers suspect that third-party misuse, such as in spammy affiliate marketing links, can lead to DBL listings even if legitimate sending practices are followed.

Key opinions

• Weblog analysis: For DBL listings involving unused URLs, experts strongly advise checking weblogs to identify potential phishing pages or compromised web assets.
• Phishing detection: A common cause for DBL listings is a phishing page hosted on the domain, with spam emails directing users to it.
• DBL and CSS link: Experts note a close intertwining between DBL and CSS (Composite Snowshoe Blocklist) listings. If your sending IPs are not on CSS, the DBL listing is unlikely to be related to mail originating directly from your sending infrastructure.
• DMARC limitations: DMARC reports are primarily for email authentication (`From:` addresses) and will not reveal instances where your domain is used in malicious URLs within message bodies by third parties.
• Limited DBL contact: Experts acknowledge the difficulty in directly contacting the Spamhaus DBL team, suggesting automated systems handle most inquiries, though specific email addresses for listings may exist.

Key findings

• DBL's purpose: The Spamhaus DBL (Domain Blocklist) is a comprehensive list of domains identified as being linked to spam, phishing, or malware campaigns.
• Listing triggers: Domains are listed on DBL primarily when they appear in the body of spam emails (e.g., as URLs in links) or in certain email headers.
• Combating unwanted email: DBL serves as a critical tool for email service providers and mail servers to filter out unwanted and malicious email traffic.
• Automated removal: The Spamhaus Removal Center offers an automated process for requesting DBL delistings, but it requires the domain owner to resolve the underlying issue first.