How to get delisted from Spamhaus blacklists and what causes legitimate listings?
Michael Ko
Co-founder & CEO, Suped
Published 13 Jun 2025
Updated 19 Aug 2025
7 min read
Being listed on a major email blacklist can feel like hitting a brick wall in your email campaigns. Among these, Spamhaus stands out as one of the most significant and widely trusted blocklist (or blacklist) authorities globally. Their listings can severely impact your email deliverability, causing messages to bounce or land directly in spam folders. Understanding how Spamhaus operates, what triggers a listing, and the process for delisting is crucial for anyone involved in email sending.
Many email administrators and internet service providers (ISPs) rely on Spamhaus's various blocklists to filter out unwanted or malicious email traffic. This means that a listing, whether for an IP address or a domain, often translates into widespread delivery issues across numerous recipients. Getting off these blocklists isn't just about requesting removal, it requires a thorough understanding of the underlying issues that led to the listing in the first place.
My goal here is to demystify the Spamhaus delisting process and shed light on what constitutes a legitimate listing. We’ll explore the different types of Spamhaus blocklists, common reasons for being added, and the practical steps you can take to resolve a listing and prevent future occurrences. The stakes are high, but with the right approach, recovering your sending reputation is achievable.
Understanding Spamhaus blocklists and legitimate listings
Spamhaus maintains several distinct blocklists, each targeting different types of problematic email activity or infrastructure. Knowing which specific blocklist you're on is the first step toward understanding the cause of your deliverability issues and planning your remediation. Each list has its own criteria for listing and delisting, tailored to the specific threats it aims to counter.
A listing is considered legitimate when it accurately reflects a violation of Spamhaus's policies, typically involving the sending of unsolicited bulk email (spam) or hosting/facilitating such activities. These are not arbitrary listings, but rather data-driven decisions based on real-world evidence of abusive email practices. Spamhaus aims to protect internet users from spam and related cyber threats, making their blocklists a vital tool for email security.
Understanding what is considered spam by Spamhaus is key. Their definition often revolves around emails that are both commercial and unsolicited. Any offer to remove a Spamhaus listing for a fee should be regarded as a scam. You can always check the official Spamhaus blocklist definitions directly on their website.
Blocklist Name
Target
Primary Cause of Listing
SBL (Spamhaus Blocklist)
IP Addresses
IP addresses sending spam or hosting spammers.
PBL (Policy Blocklist)
IP Addresses
IPs that should not be sending unauthenticated email (e.g., residential IPs).
DBL (Domain Blocklist)
Domain Names
Domains used in spam, phishing, or malware campaigns.
XBL (Exploits Blocklist)
IP Addresses
Compromised PCs, open proxies, worms, viruses, or other malware.
CSS (Combined Spam Sources)
IP Addresses
IPs that have sent low-reputation spam, often from dynamic or residential IPs.
ZEN
Consolidated
Combines SBL, PBL, and XBL into a single query for efficiency.
Common causes of Spamhaus listings
The reasons an IP or domain might find itself on a Spamhaus blocklist are varied, but they generally fall into categories related to sending unsolicited emails or facilitating such activities. One of the most common triggers is sending unsolicited bulk email, often referred to as spam. This includes promotional emails sent without prior consent, or even legitimate marketing emails if they are not compliant with anti-spam regulations.
Another significant cause is compromised systems. If your server or a user's machine on your network is infected with malware, it can be used as a botnet to send spam without your knowledge. This is a common reason for IPs to land on the Spamhaus XBL (Exploits Blocklist). Similarly, an open relay, which is an email server configured to allow anyone to send email through it, is a major vulnerability that spammers exploit, leading to rapid blocklisting.
Poor list hygiene also contributes significantly to listings. Sending to old, unengaged, or purchased email lists can result in hitting spam traps. These are email addresses specifically designed to catch spammers. Hitting a spam trap is a strong signal of problematic sending practices, leading to a quick blocklist (or blacklist) designation. Domains associated with spam support services, such as those involved in address harvesting, are also legitimately targeted and listed, as they directly contribute to the spam ecosystem.
Identifying issues
Problem: IPs listed due to malware, botnets, or compromised systems.
Problem: Domains or IPs listed for sending unsolicited bulk email or hitting spam traps.
Problem: Association with spam support services like email harvesting.
Steps to get delisted from Spamhaus
If you find your IP address or domain on a Spamhaus blocklist, the immediate priority is to understand the precise reason for the listing and address the root cause. Spamhaus provides a lookup tool on their website where you can check the listing status and often find details about why you were listed.
Once the cause is identified, whether it's spamming, malware, an open relay, or poor list management, you must take corrective action. This might involve cleaning your email lists, securing your server, removing malware, or configuring proper email authentication protocols. Without resolving the underlying issue, any delisting will be temporary, and you'll likely find yourself relisted in short order. Spamhaus will only delist you if the problem has been definitively fixed.
After you've addressed the root cause, you can submit a delisting request through the Spamhaus website. The process is typically self-service and there is never any charge involved. Provide clear and concise information about the steps you've taken to remediate the issue. If the domain was legitimately sending spam, sometimes the only option is to stop the spam and wait for the listing to fall off organically over a few days as the system recognizes the cessation of abuse. Remember, the key to successful delisting is not just asking, but proving that the problem has been thoroughly resolved.
Before remediation
State: IP or domain actively sending spam or compromised.
Deliverability: Emails blocked or sent to spam folders due to blacklist (or blocklist) listing.
Reputation: Severely damaged, leading to widespread deliverability issues.
After remediation
State: System secured, spamming stopped, or issues resolved.
Deliverability: Gradual improvement as listing is removed and reputation rebuilds.
Reputation: Begins to recover, allowing emails to reach the inbox again.
Preventing future Spamhaus listings
The best way to deal with a Spamhaus blocklist (or blacklist) listing is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Proactive measures are always more effective than reactive ones. This includes maintaining excellent list hygiene by regularly cleaning your subscriber lists, removing unengaged contacts, and never purchasing email lists. Using a double opt-in process for new subscribers is also a critical step to ensure consent and minimize spam complaints.
Ensuring your email infrastructure is secure is paramount. Regularly scan your servers for malware, keep software updated, and make sure there are no open relays. Implementing and properly configuring email authentication standards like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is essential. These protocols verify the legitimacy of your emails, making it harder for spammers to spoof your domain and improving your sender reputation.
Finally, continuous blocklist monitoring is key. Regularly check your IP and domain against major blocklists, including Spamhaus. This allows you to catch any potential issues early and address them before they escalate into significant deliverability problems. Being vigilant about your email practices is the best defense against being listed.
Always identify and resolve the root cause of any listing before requesting delisting.
Implement robust email authentication, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
Maintain rigorous email list hygiene by regularly cleaning and validating your contacts.
Common pitfalls
Attempting to delist without fixing the underlying problem, leading to immediate relisting.
Ignoring signs of compromise, such as unusual email sending volume or bounced emails.
Purchasing or using old, unverified email lists, which often contain spam traps.
Expert tips
Spamhaus does not charge for delisting. Any offer of paid removal is a scam.
For domains involved in spam support services, manual delisting is often futile; the core business model must change.
Proactive email deliverability monitoring and best practices are essential to avoid future listings.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says to just figure out what caused the listing, ensure the client stops the problematic activity, and then request delisting with a clear explanation of the actions taken and prevention plans.
August 21, 2019 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says that many companies get blacklisted because they provide spam support services like address harvesting, indicating a righteous listing.
August 21, 2019 - Email Geeks
Summary of action
Navigating a Spamhaus blocklist can be daunting, but it’s a manageable challenge with the right strategy. The core principle is always to identify and resolve the underlying problem that led to the listing. Whether it's compromised systems, poor list hygiene, or outright spamming, fixing the root cause is paramount before attempting delisting.
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
