Summary
A Spamhaus block typically occurs due to activities resembling spam, such as sending unsolicited emails, poor list hygiene, or compromised accounts. Resolution involves identifying the root cause by checking the Spamhaus listing, improving email practices like implementing opt-in processes and cleaning lists, securing your server and email authentication, and then requesting delisting with evidence of corrective actions. Proactive monitoring of your reputation and swift action are crucial, especially if you're on a shared IP. A key focus should be on ensuring that your customers or users are not engaging in practices that lead to spam complaints or spam trap hits.
Key findings
- Unsolicited Email & Poor Practices: The most frequent cause is sending unsolicited emails and following poor email practices.
- Root Cause Identification Required: Identify the root cause before taking action, either on your infrastructure, or a misbehaving customer.
- Domain vs. IP Listing Implications: A domain-wide block often indicates a serious, network-wide problem.
- Proactive Reputation Monitoring: Proactively monitor IP and domain reputation.
- List Management is Critical: Implement and enforce opt-in, regular list cleaning, and segmentation.
- Email Authentication: Implement and configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to prevent spoofing.
Key considerations
- Check Spamhaus Listing: The Spamhaus listing provides key details for understanding the reason for the block.
- Sender Analysis: Analyze sending patterns, complaints, and FBLs (feedback loops).
- Address Customer Activity: Review customer sending practices and address problematic customers.
- Dedicated IP: Consider switching to a dedicated IP if on a shared one.
- IP Warm Up: If on a new IP, warm up the IP.
- Delisting Evidence: Provide evidence to Spamhaus that issues were resolved when requesting delisting.
- User Reporting Is Indirect: Users don't directly report you, you should check email practices and opt-in methods.
What email marketers say
12 marketer opinions
If your domain or IP is blocked by Spamhaus, it's typically due to activities resembling spam, such as sending unsolicited emails or having poor list hygiene. Resolution involves identifying the root cause (often related to customer behavior on your network), improving email practices (implementing opt-in, cleaning lists), and requesting delisting from Spamhaus with proof of corrective actions. Proactive monitoring of your reputation and swift action are crucial.
Key opinions
- Root Cause Identification: Determine the source of the spam activity, often linked to specific senders or customers on your network. Investigate sending platforms, opt-in methods, and unsolicited mail practices.
- Domain vs. IP Listing: Understand if the entire domain is listed, indicating a broader spam issue, or if it's IP-specific. A domain listing often implies a serious, network-wide problem.
- Proactive Monitoring: Regularly check your IP and domain reputation using blocklist lookup tools to identify issues before they escalate.
- Opt-in Processes: Implementing strict opt-in processes, preferably double opt-in, is critical to ensuring recipients want your emails.
- List Hygiene: Regularly clean your email lists to remove inactive subscribers and reduce spam complaints.
- Sender Reputation: Maintain a good sender reputation by sending valuable content, avoiding spam trigger words, and offering easy unsubscribe options.
Key considerations
- Shared IP Risks: If using a shared IP, be aware that the actions of other users can negatively impact your reputation; consider switching to a dedicated IP.
- FBL Analysis: Analyze Feedback Loops (FBLs) to identify customers generating complaints and potentially sending non-permission mail. Request proof of consent from these customers.
- Delisting Request: When requesting delisting from Spamhaus, provide evidence of the steps you've taken to resolve the spam issue.
- New IP Warm-up: If using a new IP address, gradually increase sending volume to build a positive sender reputation.
- Problem Senders: You don't detect users reporting to Spamhaus; you must identify and address the problematic senders within your system that are triggering the listings
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks shares questions to consider when diagnosing a Spamhaus block, including identifying sending platforms, recipient opt-in methods, and whether unsolicited mail is being sent.
31 Jan 2025 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from ActiveCampaign explains that If you're using a new IP address, gradually increase your sending volume over time to establish a positive sending reputation with ISPs.
4 Sep 2023 - ActiveCampaign
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
Being blocked by Spamhaus typically stems from sending unsolicited email or poor email practices. Identify the root cause, focusing on customers who aren't using opt-in processes, or factors such as spam complaints, sending to spam traps, or compromised accounts. Check the Spamhaus listing itself to understand the specific reasons for the block. The solution involves stopping the problematic activity, such as non-opt-in mail, and improving list hygiene.
Key opinions
- Root Cause: Unsolicited Email: The primary driver for Spamhaus blocks is often customers sending unsolicited email without proper opt-in.
- Multiple Listing Factors: Spamhaus listings can result from various factors beyond just unsolicited email, including spam complaints, sending to spam traps, poor list hygiene, compromised accounts, or association with known spammers.
- Spamhaus Listing Details: The Spamhaus listing itself will provide specific reasons for the block, which should be the starting point for investigation.
- User Reporting: Users don't directly report to Spamhaus; the listing occurs when customers send mail to spam traps due to the absence of opt-in processes.
Key considerations
- Customer Behavior: Pay close attention to the email practices of your customers, especially those sending a high volume of mail.
- Opt-in Enforcement: Implement and enforce strict opt-in processes to prevent sending to recipients who haven't explicitly consented to receive emails.
- List Hygiene: Maintain a clean and up-to-date email list by removing inactive subscribers and those who have unsubscribed.
- Account Security: Ensure your sending infrastructure and customer accounts are secure to prevent compromised accounts from being used for spamming.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that Spamhaus listings can result from various factors, including spam complaints, sending to spam traps, poor list hygiene, compromised accounts, or being associated with known spammers.
13 Oct 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks explains the root cause of the Spamhaus block is likely customers sending unsolicited email. The solution involves identifying and stopping those customers from sending non-opt-in mail. Users don't report to Spamhaus; customers send mail to spam traps due to the absence of opt-in processes.
8 Sep 2023 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
6 technical articles
Spamhaus lists IPs controlled by or used by spammers for unsolicited bulk email or internet abuse. Domains are listed if associated with spam activities, requiring cleanup and delisting requests. The CSS lists netblocks with significant spam problems. Prevention involves securing servers, using strong passwords, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
Key findings
- SBL Listing Criteria: IPs are listed on Spamhaus SBL due to association with spamming activities or being controlled by spammers.
- Domain Listing Criteria: Domains are listed if they are involved in spam-related activities like hosting spam websites or being linked to from spam emails.
- CSS Listing Criteria: The CSS identifies netblocks with a high volume of spam originating from them.
- Prevention Measures: Securing servers, using strong passwords, and implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are vital for preventing blacklisting.
- SPF Functionality: SPF records specify authorized mail servers to prevent email spoofing.
- DKIM Functionality: DKIM uses digital signatures to authenticate emails and ensure they haven't been tampered with.
Key considerations
- Address Underlying Issues: Identify and address the root cause of the spam issue before requesting delisting from Spamhaus.
- Server Security: Prioritize server security measures to prevent unauthorized access and spamming activity.
- Authentication Protocols: Implement and properly configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate your emails and improve deliverability.
- Network Reputation: Be aware that if your IP is part of a network listed on the CSS, it can impact your email delivery.
Technical article
Documentation from DKIM explains that DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) uses a digital signature to authenticate your emails, verifying that the email was sent by an authorized source and hasn't been tampered with.
12 Dec 2023 - DKIM.org
Technical article
Documentation from Digital Ocean shares how to prevent blacklisting by securing your server, using strong passwords, and setting up proper authentication methods (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
9 Dec 2023 - Digital Ocean
Besides Spamhaus, what blocklists are important for email marketers to monitor?
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 check Spamhaus for my IP address and understand the listings?
How do I get help with a Spamhaus CSS delist?
