Summary
Bounces when attempting a SORBS delisting can be attributed to a variety of factors. Automated requests from ticketing systems are commonly rejected, often mistaken for spambot activity, suggesting the use of a personal email. SORBS may fingerprint your sending infrastructure, making an alternate MTA necessary. Poor sender reputation, frequent blacklisting, dynamic IP ranges, spam activity from shared IPs, exceeding sending limits, improper rDNS configuration, lacking SPF/DKIM records, sudden volume increases, and failure to adhere to best practices can lead to blacklisting and delisting rejections. Proactive IP monitoring, resolving listing issues, and manual intervention with SORBS support may be required.
Key findings
- Automated Rejections: SORBS rejects automated delisting requests and those from ticketing systems.
- Infrastructure Fingerprinting: SORBS may fingerprint the MTA, IP, or rDNS domain.
- Reputation Issues: Poor sender reputation and frequent blacklisting hinder delisting.
- Dynamic IP Blocking: SORBS may automatically block IPs from dynamic ranges.
- Shared IP Influence: Spam activity from shared IPs impacts delisting success.
- Sending Limit Violations: Exceeding sending limits can lead to blacklisting.
- Configuration Problems: Improper rDNS, SPF, and DKIM configurations contribute to spam listings.
- Volume Spikes: Sudden sending volume increases may trigger spam filters.
- Best Practice Deficiencies: Failure to adhere to email sending best practices results in blacklisting.
Key considerations
- Personalized Approach: Use a personal email and avoid automated systems for delisting requests.
- Alternate MTA: Consider using a different sending MTA if SORBS is fingerprinting your system.
- Reputation Management: Continuously monitor and improve sender reputation.
- IP Type: Consider using a static IP address instead of a dynamic one.
- Shared IP Awareness: Be aware of the sending practices of other users if on a shared IP.
- Limit Adherence: Stay within sending limits to avoid blacklisting.
- Technical Compliance: Ensure proper rDNS, SPF, and DKIM record configurations.
- Volume Control: Gradually warm up new IPs and avoid sudden sending volume increases.
- Proactive Monitoring: Implement proactive IP reputation monitoring to address deliverability issues.
- Issue Resolution: Identify and resolve the underlying issues causing the listing before requesting delisting.
- Manual Intervention: Be prepared to contact SORBS support directly for manual delisting assistance.
What email marketers say
10 marketer opinions
Several factors can cause bounces when attempting to delist from SORBS. Automated requests from ticketing systems are often blocked to prevent abuse; using a personal email address may help. A poor or frequently blacklisted sender reputation can lead to automated rejections, emphasizing the importance of continuous IP reputation monitoring. If using a shared IP, the actions of other users can impact delisting success. Cleaning mailing lists to avoid spam traps and maintaining proper reverse DNS records are also critical. Finally, sudden increases in sending volume without proper IP warmup can trigger SORBS' spam filters.
Key opinions
- Automated Requests Blocked: SORBS often blocks automated requests from ticketing systems due to anti-abuse measures. Use a personal email for delisting.
- Poor Sender Reputation: A poor sender reputation can cause delisting requests to be rejected. Monitor and improve your IP reputation.
- Shared IP Issues: When using a shared IP, the actions of other users can affect your ability to delist. Monitor for others spam activity.
- Mailing List Hygiene: Sending to spam traps leads to blacklisting. Clean and maintain your mailing lists.
- rDNS Configuration: Improperly configured reverse DNS records can cause spam flagging, hindering delisting. Maintain proper configuration.
- Sudden Volume Increase: Sudden increase in sending volume is perceived as spam. Use gradual IP warmup strategies.
Key considerations
- Personalized Delisting: Consider personalizing delisting requests instead of using automated systems.
- Proactive Monitoring: Implement continuous IP reputation monitoring to address issues before they escalate.
- Shared IP Awareness: If on a shared IP, be aware of the impact of other users' sending practices.
- List Maintenance: Regularly clean your email lists to remove inactive or problematic addresses.
- Technical Setup: Ensure proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and rDNS records for your sending domain.
- Gradual IP Warmup: If introducing a new IP, gradually increase sending volume to establish a positive reputation.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks confirms that communicating via a ticketing system with an auto-reply was the cause of the SORBS delisting issues.
5 Sep 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests the issue is likely the ticketing system is communicating with SORBS' autoresponder, creating a loop. Suggests using a personal corp address without an autoresponder.
27 Feb 2022 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
Bounces when attempting SORBS delisting can stem from several factors. SORBS may fingerprint your MTA, IP, or rDNS, necessitating the use of a different sending MTA, possibly via a personal email. Manual intervention might be required, involving direct contact with SORBS support channels with detailed information. Proactive IP reputation monitoring is crucial to identifying and resolving deliverability issues before they lead to blacklisting and subsequent rejection of delisting attempts.
Key opinions
- Fingerprinting: SORBS may fingerprint your MTA, IP, or rDNS domain.
- Manual Intervention: Manual intervention by contacting SORBS support may be necessary.
- Proactive Monitoring: Proactive IP reputation monitoring can reduce the need for frequent delisting requests.
Key considerations
- Alternate MTA: Try using a personal email address or a different sending MTA.
- Direct SORBS Contact: Prepare detailed information when contacting SORBS support.
- Implement Monitoring: Implement continuous IP reputation monitoring and address deliverability issues preemptively.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, advises that proactive IP reputation monitoring can reduce the need for frequent delisting requests. Consistent monitoring allows you to identify and address deliverability issues before they result in blacklisting, potentially avoiding automated delisting rejections.
14 Nov 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggests that SORBS is fingerprinting the MTA, IP, or rDNS domain and recommends trying from a personal email address not associated with the work one, to use a different sending MTA.
18 Sep 2021 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
6 technical articles
Rejection of SORBS delisting requests can occur due to several documented reasons. Automated requests are often rejected as anti-abuse measures. Dynamic IP ranges are frequently blocked due to a higher risk of spam. Accurate listings based on evidence of spam activity will result in rejection until the issue is resolved. Non-compliance with email sending best practices, exceeding sending limits, and improper SPF/DKIM record configuration all contribute to blacklisting and hinder delisting efforts.
Key findings
- Automated Rejection: Automated delisting requests and those from ticketing systems are often rejected.
- Dynamic IP Block: IP addresses within dynamic ranges may be automatically blocked.
- Valid Listing: Accurate listings based on spam evidence prevent delisting until the issue is resolved.
- Best Practices: Failure to adhere to email sending best practices increases the likelihood of blacklisting.
- Sending Limits: Exceeding sending limits leads to bounces and blacklisting.
- SPF/DKIM Issues: Improperly configured or missing SPF/DKIM records contribute to spam listings.
Key considerations
- Manual Request: Avoid automated delisting requests and use a manual approach.
- Static IP: Consider using a static IP address to avoid dynamic range blocks.
- Resolve Issues: Identify and resolve the underlying cause of the spam listing before requesting delisting.
- Implement Best Practices: Adhere to email sending best practices to minimize the risk of blacklisting.
- Respect Limits: Stay within the prescribed sending limits to avoid bounces and blocklisting.
- Proper Configuration: Ensure proper configuration of SPF and DKIM records for your sending domain.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft suggests bounces and spam listings can be avoided by using SPF and DKIM records. Delisting requests may fail due to the lack of these records or they are incorrectly configured, so check the records and configuration.
2 Apr 2025 - Microsoft
Technical article
Documentation from SpamExperts explains that if your IP address falls within a dynamic IP range, SORBS might automatically reject delisting requests due to the higher likelihood of spam originating from these ranges.
12 Sep 2023 - SpamExperts
How can I get delisted from Spamhaus?
How can I get help with a Spamhaus listing delisting?
How can I report fraudulent emails and domains to Spamhaus and other relevant organizations?
How do I deal with a SORBS listing affecting email deliverability?
How important are SPAMCOP and SORBS blacklists for email deliverability?
How severe is a SORBS listing impact on email delivery?
