Why is my dating site listed on Spamhaus DBL and how to fix it?
Matthew Whittaker
Co-founder & CTO, Suped
Published 16 May 2025
Updated 17 Aug 2025
7 min read
Finding your dating site listed on a major email blocklist (or blacklist), like the Spamhaus Domain Blocklist (DBL), can be frustrating. It immediately impacts your email deliverability, preventing important communications, such as welcome emails, password resets, or promotional messages, from reaching your users. When your domain is blacklisted, it signals to receiving mail servers that your domain is associated with spam activities.
The Spamhaus DBL specifically lists domains that appear in unsolicited email, phishing attempts, or other illicit activities. For a dating site, this can be particularly damaging, as communication is key to user engagement and experience. Understanding why your domain was listed and how to address it is crucial for restoring your email flow and maintaining a positive sender reputation.
The Spamhaus Domain Blocklist (DBL) is a real-time blacklist of domains found in spam messages, phishing attacks, and other malicious activities. Unlike IP-based blocklists, the DBL focuses solely on domain names. This means if your site's domain appears in spam emails sent by anyone, even if not from your own servers, it can trigger a listing.
For dating sites, several factors can lead to a DBL listing. One common misconception is that simply sending multiple confirmation emails (even with double opt-in) is the cause. While excessive re-attempts for confirmation are not ideal for best practices, they are typically not the primary reason for a DBL listing. Spamhaus is more concerned with the actual content and unsolicited nature of the emails. You can learn more about this in an in-depth guide to email blocklists.
The core issue often lies with actual unsolicited emails being sent that contain your domain, or a lack of strict confirmed opt-in (COI) enforcement for your client base. This can happen if email addresses are added without consent, or if data hygiene practices are weak, leading to emails being sent to addresses that haven't explicitly agreed to receive them.
Understanding Spamhaus DBL listings
Spamhaus DBL listings occur when a domain is identified in unsolicited emails. This can stem from various sources:
Compromised websites: If your site is hacked, spammers might use it to host content linked in spam.
Affiliate marketing: Affiliates promoting your dating site might use spammy tactics, embedding your domain in their unsolicited emails.
Poor data collection: Acquiring email lists from third parties or not validating sign-ups can lead to sending to unconsenting recipients.
Malware/Phishing: Your domain could be used in phishing scams, even if you are unaware.
Investigating the real cause
While it might seem like repeated confirmation emails caused the issue, Spamhaus often suggests confirming opt-ins as a general best practice for email senders. The actual trigger for a DBL listing is almost always broader, pointing to a larger issue of unsolicited mail. This means that focusing solely on the number of confirmation attempts might miss the real problem.
The important distinction to make here is whether the emails are truly unsolicited. If your site sends welcome emails as part of a confirmed opt-in process, and users are locked from accessing site functionality until they confirm, then these emails themselves are unlikely to be the sole cause of a DBL listing. This is especially true if your IPs are not listed on other Spamhaus blocklists (like the SBL or CSS).
A more likely scenario, especially for dating sites, is that an affiliate program or other third-party relationship is sending spam that links back to your domain. Spamhaus explicitly states they list domains used in unsolicited emails or other illicit activities. Therefore, investigating external sources that promote your site is paramount. You can also review Spamhaus's description of the DBL for more insight.
Symptoms you observed
Spamhaus explicitly mentioned not enforcing COI requirements.
Your site was sending multiple welcome email attempts (e.g., at 0 min, 8 min, 24 hours).
No noticeable impact on your primary mailing engagement.
Your mailing IPs were not listed on SBL or CSS.
More likely root causes
In reality, the DBL listing is likely due to serious spam issues unrelated to confirmation emails.
Spamhaus focuses on domains found in unsolicited email sent to addresses they control.
Potential involvement of affiliate programs or partners sending spam that links to your domain.
A DBL listing without a corresponding IP blocklist (blacklist) suggests your direct mailing practices are not the issue.
Steps to get delisted and prevent future issues
To effectively remove your domain from the Spamhaus DBL, you must address the underlying cause of the listing. Simply adjusting your confirmation email attempts won't solve the core problem if unsolicited emails are still being sent. For a comprehensive guide, explore how to get delisted from Spamhaus blacklists.
Begin by conducting a thorough audit of all your traffic sources, especially any affiliate programs or external partners that link to your dating site. It is crucial to enforce strict policies against spamming and terminate any partnerships found to be violating these terms. Implement robust monitoring to catch future abuses.
Once you've identified and mitigated the source of the unsolicited emails, you can then proceed with the delisting process. Spamhaus typically provides clear instructions on their website for requesting removal once the issue is resolved. Remember, honesty and transparency about the steps you've taken are key to a successful delisting.
Identify all traffic sources: Especially focus on affiliate marketers or other partners who promote your site. Examine their methods.
Strengthen affiliate policies: Ensure your contracts prohibit spamming and implement clear penalties for violations.
Review data acquisition: Verify all your email collection methods are consent-based, preferably using double opt-in (DOI).
Monitor web forms: Protect against automated sign-ups that could lead to spam trap hits.
Request delisting: Once the problem is fixed, follow Spamhaus's instructions for removal. This includes detailing the actions taken.
Maintaining domain reputation and preventing relisting
Being delisted is just the first step. Long-term prevention requires continuous vigilance over your domain and email sending practices. This includes regular blocklist checking and monitoring your domain's reputation across various tools.
Regularly monitor your domain's reputation using tools that check against major blocklists, including Spamhaus DBL. Pay close attention to any sudden dips in your email deliverability or increases in bounce rates, as these can be early indicators of a blocklist (or blacklist) listing.
Furthermore, maintain strict internal protocols for email list growth and partner engagement. Regularly audit your data collection methods and affiliate activities to ensure compliance with best practices. For issues related to IP blocklisting, consult what causes an IP to be listed on Spamhaus SBL.
DBL listing type
Description
Common cause for dating sites
DBL-Spam
Domain appears in unsolicited bulk email.
Affiliate spam, poor list hygiene, hacked forms.
DBL-Phish
Domain used in phishing attacks or fraudulent sites.
Domain involved in various forms of abuse, e.g., malware distribution.
Compromised servers, outdated CMS, or insecure plugins.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Always use a strict confirmed opt-in process for all new user sign-ups.
Regularly audit affiliate marketing partners and their promotional methods.
Implement strong web form protection to prevent automated sign-ups or bot activity.
Monitor your email engagement metrics and bounce rates closely for anomalies.
Common pitfalls
Assuming DBL listing is solely due to confirmation emails rather than broader spam.
Failing to investigate third-party or affiliate activities linking to your domain.
Neglecting to monitor your domain's presence on other blocklists.
Using purchased or scraped email lists, which are high risk for spam traps.
Expert tips
If your IP is clean and only the domain is listed, the problem is usually external to your direct sending.
Focus remediation efforts on eliminating any source of unsolicited emails linking to your domain.
Work with your legal team to ensure affiliate agreements have strong anti-spam clauses.
Consider implementing BIMI to visually reinforce your brand's legitimacy in the inbox.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says they strongly doubt that sites are listed on the DBL specifically for not enforcing confirmed opt-in, as a general rule.
2021-03-25 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says it is far more likely that sites are listed for serious spam issues, and Spamhaus might suggest confirmed opt-in as a condition for delisting once the core spam problem is addressed.
2021-03-25 - Email Geeks
Key takeaways
A Spamhaus DBL listing for a dating site is a serious issue that demands immediate attention. While confirmation email practices might be a part of the dialogue with Spamhaus, it is rarely the sole or primary cause of such a blocklist. The true culprits often lie in broader issues such as unsolicited emails, weak data collection practices, or abuses by affiliate partners.
By proactively identifying and eliminating the source of unsolicited emails, enhancing your opt-in processes, and continuously monitoring your domain's reputation, you can successfully navigate a DBL listing. This commitment ensures your dating site maintains high email deliverability and fosters trusted communication with your users. Further information can be found on what to do if listed in Spamhaus.
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
