Summary
To handle a SORBS listing without incurring delisting fees, the most crucial step is to meticulously identify and resolve the underlying issue that caused the listing, such as an open relay, compromised server, or spamming activity. Once the problem is fixed and the system is clean, a free delisting request can be submitted through the SORBS website, which will be processed after verification, often within 48 hours. Experts emphasize that payment is not necessary for standard delisting. While patience is required for the free process, many sources suggest that SORBS listings generally have a minimal impact on email deliverability, affecting only a small percentage of bounces. Some advise that given SORBS's controversial reputation, it can be more effective to focus on maintaining a clean sending reputation or directly contacting recipients' mail administrators rather than striving for perfect blocklist compliance.
Key findings
- Payment is Not Necessary: Experts across the board confirm that payment is not required for SORBS delisting if the underlying issue is resolved. Free delisting is a standard procedure, typically completed within 48 hours once the problem is fixed and headers are provided.
- Minimal Deliverability Impact: Several sources indicate that a SORBS listing often has a limited impact on deliverability. Data suggests less than 100 errors out of hundreds of millions of messages, with one marketer noting it affects only about 5% of bounces. Many inbox providers do not heavily rely on SORBS.
- Focus on Fixing Issues: The core requirement for a free delisting is to thoroughly identify and fix the root cause of the listing. This includes open relays, compromised servers, botnets, or being listed as a dynamic IP address. No amount of payment will ensure delisting if the problematic behavior persists.
- Controversial and Unreliable Blocklist: SORBS is described as a blocklist with a controversial history, known for questionable practices like listing entire ESPs. Due to its sheer number of listings, confusing policies, and unreasonable operators, some experts advise against striving for 'perfection' with such lists, indicating a pragmatic approach is needed.
Key considerations
- Focus on Root Cause: The most critical step to avoid paying for SORBS delisting is to identify and resolve the underlying issue that led to the listing. This includes fixing open relays, patching compromised systems, ceasing spamming activity, and ensuring no unauthorized outbound email.
- Proactive Prevention: The best way to handle a SORBS listing without payment is to prevent it initially. Implement robust server security, configure authentication correctly, disable open relay functionality, use clean mailing lists, send only solicited emails, and regularly monitor logs for unusual activity.
- Patience with Free Delisting: Once the root cause is fixed, a free delisting request can be submitted through the SORBS website. This process takes time, often several days, but is effective if the issue is truly resolved. SORBS requires evidence of the fix before processing.
- SORBS Impact and Alternatives: Consider the actual impact of a SORBS listing; many experts suggest it is minimal for deliverability, affecting only a small percentage of bounces, though it might be slightly more for B2B. Some suggest it's more effective to contact recipients' mail administrators directly to adjust filtering, given SORBS's controversial history and perceived unreliability.
- General Reputation Building: Beyond addressing the immediate listing, improve overall email reputation by correctly configuring SPF and DKIM records. This demonstrates commitment to good email practices and can help prevent future blacklistings.
What email marketers say
13 marketer opinions
Rather than paying to remove a SORBS listing, the consensus among experts is to focus on thoroughly identifying and resolving the underlying technical issues that led to the listing. This includes closing open relays, patching compromised servers, or stopping any unauthorized spamming activity. Once the root cause is addressed and the system is clean, free delisting is a standard procedure, often completed within 48 hours. While patience is advised for the free process, many sources indicate that the overall impact of a SORBS listing on email deliverability is often minimal, affecting only a small percentage of bounces for most senders. Proactive measures, such as maintaining secure server configurations and robust email sending practices, are crucial to prevent listings from occurring in the first place, making paid delisting unnecessary.
Key opinions
- Payment Unnecessary for Delisting: Experts widely agree that paying SORBS for delisting is not required. The free delisting process is effective and typically completed within 48 hours once the issue is resolved and proper evidence is provided.
- Root Cause Resolution is Paramount: The most critical step for free delisting is to identify, address, and prove that the underlying cause of the listing-be it an open relay, compromised server, or spam activity-has been completely fixed. Without resolving the problem, neither free nor paid delisting will be successful.
- Limited Deliverability Impact: Several email marketers and data sources suggest that a SORBS listing often has a relatively minor impact on overall email deliverability, affecting a small percentage of bounces. This minimal impact can make the free, patient delisting process a more viable option than urgent, paid services.
- Free Process Requires Patience: While effective, the free delisting process demands patience. It is not instantaneous but will proceed once SORBS verifies that the system is clean and no longer poses a threat.
Key considerations
- Prioritize Fixing the Underlying Issue: Before any delisting attempt, invest time in diagnosing and completely resolving the problem that led to the SORBS listing. This could involve securing your server, removing malware, or stopping unauthorized email sending.
- Proactive Prevention is Best: The most effective way to avoid dealing with SORBS listings and delisting fees is through proactive email deliverability management. This includes regularly auditing server security, correctly configuring SPF and DKIM, maintaining clean subscriber lists, and sending only solicited email.
- Assess Actual Deliverability Impact: Evaluate whether a SORBS listing is significantly impacting your deliverability. Given that many inbox providers do not heavily rely on SORBS, the effort for immediate paid delisting might not be justified, especially for senders with otherwise strong reputations.
- Be Prepared to Provide Evidence: When requesting free delisting, be ready to provide headers and other evidence to SORBS demonstrating that the root cause has been addressed and your system is no longer exhibiting problematic behavior.
- Maintain Overall Sender Reputation: Beyond a specific SORBS listing, focus on broad best practices for sender reputation, such as consistent email hygiene, engagement monitoring, and prompt attention to any security vulnerabilities, to prevent future blacklistings across all providers.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that you do not need to pay SORBS for delisting. She advises replying to the automated message and asking for headers, stating that SORBS typically provides them and delists within 48 hours, which is standard procedure. She also notes that the impact of a SORBS listing on deliverability is usually minimal, affecting only about 5% of bounces, though it might be slightly more impactful for B2B senders.
25 May 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks explicitly advises against paying SORBS for delisting.
17 Apr 2022 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
When dealing with a SORBS listing, experts suggest a pragmatic approach that often bypasses the need for payment, despite quick delisting options sometimes requiring fees. Given SORBS's controversial history and questionable practices, a more effective strategy involves directly contacting the mail administrator of affected recipients to request an adjustment to their filtering settings. This alternative is advised because SORBS is widely considered an unreliable blocklist, and attempting 'perfection' with such lists can be unproductive due to their sheer number, confusing policies, and inconsistent operators.
Key opinions
- Controversial and Unreliable Blocklist: SORBS is described as a blocklist with a controversial history, including questionable practices like listing entire ESPs, highlighting its unreliability and the impracticality of striving for perfect compliance.
- Direct Mail Admin Contact: An effective strategy to handle a SORBS listing without payment is to contact the recipient's mail administrator directly, requesting they adjust their filtering, especially given SORBS's reputation as an unreliable blocklist.
- Pragmatic Blocklist Approach: Due to the large number of blocklists, confusing policies, and the unreasonable nature of some operators, a pragmatic approach is advised, rather than attempting to achieve 'perfection' with every listing.
Key considerations
- Assess SORBS's Impact: Recognize that SORBS is often considered an unreliable blocklist, and its impact on deliverability may be less significant than more reputable lists. This perspective helps in deciding whether to pursue delisting or alternative strategies.
- Contact Recipient Administrators: Consider directly engaging with the mail administrators of any recipients experiencing blocks due to SORBS, as they may be willing to whitelist your IP or domain, bypassing the blocklist entirely.
- Avoid Paying for Delisting: While quick delisting might involve payment, experts suggest this is often unnecessary. Focus on alternative, non-monetary strategies or addressing the underlying issues, which are already covered in previous sections.
- Pragmatism Over Perfection: Adopt a pragmatic view when dealing with blocklists like SORBS. Given their volume and sometimes arbitrary nature, expending excessive effort or funds for every listing may not be the most efficient use of resources.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks describes SORBS as a blocklist with a controversial history, citing a case where an entire ESP was listed, which highlights their questionable practices. She advises against striving for 'perfection' with blocklists due to their sheer number, confusing policies, and the unreasonable nature of some operators, implying that a pragmatic approach is necessary when dealing with listings like SORBS.
24 Jun 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that if listed on SORBS, while quick delisting often requires payment, a more effective strategy to handle the issue without paying is to contact the recipient's mail administrator directly and ask them to adjust their filtering, as SORBS is widely considered an unreliable blocklist.
18 Oct 2024 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
To effectively manage a SORBS listing and avoid delisting fees, the primary approach involves pinpointing and rectifying the root cause of the listing. This means diligently investigating and fixing issues like open relays, compromised systems, or unauthorized spamming activity. Once the underlying problem is thoroughly resolved, a free delisting request can be submitted directly through the official SORBS website. Experts across various platforms, including Rackspace, Namecheap, IBM, and Microsoft, consistently advise that payment is not necessary for standard delisting, emphasizing that a clean system is the sole prerequisite for a successful, no-cost removal from the list. Robust server security practices are also key for preventing such listings from occurring.
Key findings
- Fix Underlying Cause: To avoid paying for delisting, the primary requirement is to identify and resolve the root cause of the SORBS listing, such as an open relay, spamming, or a compromised system.
- Free Delisting Process: A free delisting request can be submitted through the official SORBS website once the problem is resolved, negating the need for any payment.
- Proactive Prevention: Implementing strict mail server security best practices, like proper configuration and log monitoring, is crucial for preventing SORBS listings and enabling free resolution should one occur.
- Required Verification: The free delisting process includes a verification step by SORBS to confirm that the issue causing the listing has been adequately addressed, ensuring the system is no longer a threat.
Key considerations
- Thorough Investigation: Before attempting delisting, meticulously check mail server logs for unauthorized outbound activity, signs of an open relay, or compromised systems. Use online tools to verify your open relay status.
- Implement Security Measures: Prevent future listings by configuring strong authentication, disabling open relay functionality, patching vulnerabilities, and regularly reviewing security logs for unusual activity or potential abuse.
- Official Free Delisting: Once the underlying issue is fully resolved and your system is clean, submit a free delisting request through the official SORBS portal. Payment is not required for standard delisting.
- Verification Process: Be aware that SORBS will process your free delisting request after verifying that the identified issue no longer exists. This verification ensures your system is truly clean.
Technical article
Documentation from SORBS DNSBL explains that to avoid paying for delisting, users must first identify and fix the underlying issue that caused the listing, such as an open relay, spamming activity, or compromised system. Once the problem is resolved, a free delisting request can be submitted through the SORBS website, which will be processed in due course after verification that the issue no longer exists.
29 Jan 2024 - SORBS DNSBL
Technical article
Documentation from Rackspace Support Team advises that to resolve a SORBS listing without payment, one must first meticulously check their mail server logs for any unauthorized outbound email activity or signs of an open relay. They recommend using online tools to verify the open relay status and ensure all vulnerabilities are patched before attempting a free delisting request through the official SORBS portal.
3 Oct 2021 - Rackspace Support
How can I get delisted from Spamhaus?
How do I deal with a SORBS listing affecting email deliverability?
What to do if listed in Spamhaus and other blacklists?
What to do if relisted on Spamhaus SBL due to old email list?
What to do if your IP is blacklisted on SORBS?
Why am I getting a bounce when trying to push a SORBS delisting through?
