How to handle a domain listed on Abusix or request delisting?
Matthew Whittaker
Co-founder & CTO, Suped
Published 24 Jul 2025
Updated 19 Aug 2025
8 min read
Discovering your domain on a blocklist (or blacklist) can be a frustrating experience, especially when it impacts your email deliverability. Among the various threat intelligence providers, Abusix is a prominent name in the realm of email and network security. Their Mail Intelligence blocklists are widely used by internet service providers and email administrators to filter out unwanted mail, making a listing on their service a significant concern for any sender.
A listing on Abusix can lead to a drastic reduction in your email inbox placement, causing your legitimate messages to be rejected or routed directly to spam folders. This can disrupt critical communications, impact marketing campaigns, and even harm your overall domain reputation. Understanding how Abusix operates and what steps to take for removal is crucial for maintaining healthy email sending practices.
The good news is that getting delisted from Abusix (or any other blocklist) is typically a straightforward process, provided you identify and resolve the underlying issues that led to the listing in the first place. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to check your domain's status, understand why you might be listed, and successfully navigate the delisting process with Abusix, along with strategies to prevent future occurrences.
Understanding Abusix listings
Abusix maintains various blocklists, including DNS-based Blackhole Lists (DNSBLs), which track IP addresses and domains associated with abusive behavior, such as sending spam, malware, or phishing attempts. Their system aggregates data from numerous sources, including spam traps, honeypots, and abuse reports, to identify and list problematic senders. When your domain or IP address appears on one of these lists, it signals to receiving mail servers that mail originating from your infrastructure may be malicious or unwanted.
Common reasons for a domain (or IP) to be added to an Abusix blocklist often stem from poor email sending practices. These can include sending unsolicited bulk email, having compromised accounts or servers, failing to implement proper email authentication, or even inadvertently hitting spam traps. It is vital to determine the specific cause behind your listing before attempting any delisting request, as a listing usually indicates an underlying issue that needs immediate attention.
In some cases, a domain might be temporarily or accidentally listed, or an old issue might have resurfaced. For example, some blocklists, like Abusix, are designed to automatically delist once the abusive activity ceases for a certain period. However, relying on automatic delisting without addressing the root cause can lead to recurrent issues and further damage to your email domain reputation. If you are dealing with a more general blocklisting, understanding what an email blacklist is can provide broader context.
Example DNS query for Abusix listing checkBASH
dig +short schaeffer.com.sbl.abusix.zone
Checking your domain's status
Before proceeding with any delisting efforts, the first step is always to confirm that your domain (or IP address) is indeed listed on an Abusix blocklist. Abusix provides a dedicated lookup and delisting service on their website for this purpose. You can input your IP address or domain name into their tool to see if it appears on any of their blocklists. This service is crucial because it provides real-time information directly from the source.
Upon checking, if you find your domain listed, the Abusix lookup tool will typically indicate the specific list it's on and, often, the reason for the listing. This information is invaluable for diagnosing the problem. If you encounter an AWS hostname blacklisted in Abusix, the process is similar but might involve coordinating with your hosting provider.
Manual lookup via Abusix
Directly use the Abusix Lookup and Delist Checker to enter your domain or IP address. This is the most accurate way to verify a listing on their specific blocklists. You will get immediate feedback on your status.
Automated blocklist monitoring
For ongoing vigilance, implement an automated blocklist monitoring service. These tools continuously check your IP and domain against multiple blocklists, including Abusix, and alert you promptly if a listing occurs. This proactive approach helps in quick detection and resolution.
It is also beneficial to check if your domain (or IP) is listed on other significant blocklists, as a listing on Abusix might coincide with listings elsewhere. Services like Google Postmaster Tools can provide insights into your reputation with Google. This comprehensive approach ensures you address all potential deliverability hurdles, not just those related to Abusix. You can also use a general blocklist checker to quickly scan multiple databases.
The delisting process for Abusix
Once you confirm your domain or IP is listed, the next crucial step is to initiate the delisting process. For Abusix, this typically involves using their dedicated delisting service. They are generally transparent about their listing criteria and often provide information on what caused the block, helping you pinpoint the issue.
Before you request delisting, it's paramount to fix the underlying problem. Submitting a delisting request without addressing the root cause will likely result in a quick re-listing and further damage to your reputation. Abusix processes delist requests after verifying that remedial actions have been taken. This could involve patching compromised systems, cleaning up email lists, or adjusting sending practices. Remember, what happens when your domain is on an email blacklist can significantly impact your email deliverability, so a thorough cleanup is vital.
Steps for Abusix delisting
Verify Listing: Use the Abusix Lookup to confirm your domain or IP is listed and understand the reason.
Identify Cause: Determine why your domain was listed (e.g., spam activity, compromised account, weak authentication).
Remediate Issues: Fix the problem. This is the most crucial step. Ensure all vulnerabilities are patched and sending practices are compliant. For instance, addressing spam traps on your list is essential.
Request Delisting: Navigate to the Abusix delisting page (often part of their lookup service), register if required, and submit your request. Be prepared to provide details on how you addressed the issue.
Monitor: After submitting, continue to monitor your domain's status with Abusix and other blocklists. Delisting can sometimes take time, though Abusix aims for quick processing.
While Abusix strives for quick delisting (often within minutes once the request is processed), the actual time frame can depend on the severity of the listing and how quickly you address the underlying cause. Sometimes, a domain can be automatically delisted if the issue resolves itself and no further abusive patterns are detected. However, a proactive delisting request ensures the fastest possible resolution and minimizes potential email disruption.
Preventing future Abusix blocklistings
Getting delisted is only half the battle, the other half is preventing re-listings. The best defense against Abusix (and other blocklists) is to adopt robust email sending practices. This includes regularly auditing your sending infrastructure and ensuring all outbound email adheres to industry best practices.
Key to prevention is implementing and maintaining proper email authentication protocols. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are fundamental. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) helps prevent spoofing by specifying which servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) provides a way to verify that the email content hasn't been tampered with. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) builds on SPF and DKIM, giving domain owners control over how unauthenticated emails are handled.
Standard
Purpose
Benefit for blocklist prevention
SPF
Authorizes sending servers for your domain.
Helps receiving servers verify the sender, reducing the likelihood of being flagged as spam or abusive.
DKIM
Digitally signs emails to ensure content integrity.
Confirms the message hasn't been altered in transit, building trust with recipients and preventing phishing.
DMARC
Specifies policy for unauthenticated mail and requests reports.
Provides visibility into email sending, allowing you to identify and stop unauthorized sending from your domain, a common cause for blocklistings. Consider DMARC monitoring for insights.
Beyond technical configurations, maintaining a clean and engaged email list is equally important. Regularly remove inactive subscribers and avoid sending to old, unverified email addresses, as these are often converted into spam traps. Implement double opt-in for new subscribers and provide clear unsubscribe options. Proactive email deliverability checks can help you stay ahead of potential issues. For comprehensive guidance on avoiding future listings, Abusix offers insights on setting up for success.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Monitor all outbound sending IPs and domains regularly using a blocklist monitoring service to detect listings early.
Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly configured and aligned for all sending domains.
Maintain clean email lists by removing bounces and inactive subscribers to avoid hitting spam traps.
Set up 'abuse@' and 'postmaster@' email accounts to handle feedback loops and abuse reports promptly.
Common pitfalls
Attempting to delist without first identifying and fixing the root cause of the listing, leading to quick re-listings.
Ignoring bounce messages that indicate a blocklist listing, delaying necessary remediation steps.
Using generic email addresses for abuse contacts that aren't actively monitored, missing critical alerts.
Not understanding how different blocklists operate and their specific delisting procedures.
Expert tips
Investigate bounce messages carefully for clues about which blocklist you are listed on.
If your domain is listed, check if the issue is with your domain or the IP address of your sending service.
Be prepared to explain the steps taken to fix the issue when requesting delisting.
For shared IP environments, communicate with your email service provider to understand their blocklist management.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says they had a few domains indicating they were on Abusix's list but couldn't initially find a way to request removal, wondering if it was automatic.
2019-10-08 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says they found the Abusix delist link and, after checking, noted that their domain was not listed, suggesting it might have cleared itself.
2019-10-08 - Email Geeks
Maintaining a clean sending reputation
Navigating a blocklist listing on Abusix or any other threat intelligence service can be a challenging but valuable learning experience. The key takeaway is that such listings are rarely random; they almost always point to underlying issues in your email sending practices or infrastructure. Addressing these issues systematically, rather than just seeking quick removal, is the path to sustainable email deliverability.
By understanding the causes of listings, diligently monitoring your domain and IP reputation, and proactively implementing email authentication and list hygiene best practices, you can significantly reduce your risk of future blocklistings. Remember, maintaining a strong sender reputation is an ongoing effort that requires continuous vigilance and adaptation.
Prioritizing your email ecosystem's health will not only keep you off blocklists like Abusix but also ensure your important communications consistently reach their intended inboxes, fostering better engagement and trust with your recipients. This proactive approach is essential for any sender aiming for optimal email deliverability rates.
